We all want our vinyl floors to be in their best condition because we step on it, lay down on it, sit on it – it is basically the most used and abused part of the house. The only way to make it last as long as it can is to know how to clean vinyl plank flooring. If we do it the wrong way, we may end up either ruining the floor or having to replace it entirely.
What is The Best Way to Clean Vinyl Plank Floors?
The best and easiest way to clean vinyl is really to sweep it regularly and to mop it at least once a week. There are, however, several more ways you can clean your vinyl floor in addition to regular cleaning and mopping it. These ways include:
- Use shampoo to clean off hair spray. If you or other members of your family use this hair spray, the excess droplets can fall on the floor and build up over time. You can remove this build-up by using no other than another hair product – a regular shampoo. Mix shampoo with warm water and use the mixture to mop away the buildup.
- Use a vacuum cleaner to remove whatever you cannot sweep away with a regular broom. A broom will not be able to clear off dust and dirt off of the floor. You can make sure that you have cleared the floor from dirt and dust by vacuuming the floor every night.
- Use cleaners that are made for vinyl floors. If your floor is a no-wax vinyl, use a cleaner that is specially formulated for it. If your floor is made of the older kind of vinyl, which needs to be waxed, you can clean it with a mixture of detergent and warm water. Using a mop, dampen it with the mixture and rub the floor until the dirt is loosened.
These methods are the best way to clean vinyl since they are the easiest and gentlest floor cleaning techniques.
What Cleaners Are Safe for Vinyl Plank Floors?
Regular household items such as detergent, baking soda, and water will work in keeping your floor clean. However, if you want products that are specially formulated for vinyl flooring, you can try these five highest-rated products:
Mrs. Meyer’s Multi-Surface Concentrate
This product uses safe ingredients because it is plant-based. You can use it on your floor or any surface that is non-porous. Although it has a gentle formula, it is concentrated enough to remove the toughest dirt and stains. In fact, you have to dilute it to make it before using it because of its extra powerful concentrate.
Method All Purpose Cleaner
This particular cleaner is not only safe but also environment-friendly because it is biodegradable. It uses what is known as a power-green technology in order to remove grime and dirt, leaving a streak-free finish. It does not contain harsh chemicals that may be harmful to pets and humans.
Dr. Bronner’s All Purpose Cleaner
It is also formulated from plant-based ingredients such as essential oils and fir needles. Hence, safe for children and pets. This cleaner is not only used to clean floors but can also be used for laundry.
These days, it is important that commercially manufactured cleaning materials are not only safe for humans and pets but also safe for the environment. After all, we only have one planet Earth that we need to protect too.
How do You Clean a Vinyl Plank Floating Floor?
Floating the floor is one method of vinyl installation. It can be used with a wide range of materials such as engineered wood, laminates, and luxury vinyl flooring. Using this method, individual planks are interlocked from edge to edge in order. It then forms a single surface resembling a mat, which is then made to rest on the underlayment.
It is different from the glue down or nail down method, which are typically still used for stone and ceramic tiles.
Cleaning this type of flooring will depend on the material used. For example, the best way to clean luxury vinyl plank and laminate is to mop it using a damp cloth, rag, or mop head. Meanwhile, in engineered hardwood, it is not advisable to use water as it can cause damage to the surface of the floor.
Maintenance-wise, it is easier to replace damaged planks or boards in floating floors compared to glue-down or nail-down flooring. This is because the floating planks can be disassembled in order to replace the damaged planks.
FAQs on How to Deep Clean Vinyl Plank Floor?
Over time, dirt, dust, and stains may build up on your vinyl floor along with scuffs and cracks. You may want to deep clean it in order to make sure that it is spotless. There are several ways that you can deep clean your vinyl flooring.
Can you remove scuffs on vinyl using microfiber cloth?
Yes. All you need to do is use water to dampen the microfiber cloth and then gently buff the scuff away.
Can you use a putty knife to scrape off stubborn crusted-up dirt and other dirt that stuck to the floor?
Yes. You can use a putty knife to scrape off dirt from your vinyl plank floor but make sure to do it gently in order not to damage the floor.
Can you make a baking soda paste and use it to remove stubborn stains?
Your vinyl floor may be stained with lipstick, ink, ketchup, tomato juice, or colored juices. A good way to remove those kinds of stains is to make a paste out of the water and a baking soda mixture. Apply the paste on the stain and then use a soft rag to rub the stain off.
It is always a good idea to deep clean your floor at least once or twice a year because buildups can turn into stubborn stains and crusted dirt. You may end up damaging the floor trying to remove it or be unsuccessful in trying to remove it if you do not deep clean your floor.
