One of vinyl’s key benefits is its ease of maintenance. That’s one of many reasons that its wood-look and stone-look selections are often chosen over the actual thing. Still, vinyl plank flooring does require some maintenance, and it’s important to use the right tools, techniques and schedules (hint: they’re must easier than traditional flooring). Here, we’ll take a quick look at what that means when cleaning vinyl plank flooring.
Cheaper is Better
Harsh cleaning solutions are among the few things that can damage the surface of vinyl plank flooring. Since those chemicals tend to cost more anyways, there’s really no reason to use them. The same goes for cleaning in general: we never recommend using steam to clean vinyl plank flooring. Vacuums are fine, but ensure that it doesn’t have a beater brush (again, consider the more affordable options). The great benefit here: not only does vinyl perform just as well at a lower price, but it also costs less to maintain!
Back to cleaning solutions, ensure the one you choose is specifically labeled for cleaning vinyl plank flooring. Here’s a quick lost of the more popular solutions:
Stain-X: Stain-X has a full line of cleaners for all types of floors, including vinyl floors such as LVT and LVP.
R2X: Although often associated with carpet, Shaw also has a line of R2X cleaner specifically designed for hard surfaces.
Once ‘n Done: Armstrong, another prominent flooring manufacturer, has released its Once ‘n Done cleaner for a variety of hard surface flooring, including no-wax vinyl and stone.
Rejuvenate Luxury Vinyl Plank Cleaner: Use this to remove not only dirt and grime, but also residue left after spills.
When scrubbing vinyl planks, use a microfiber mop to avoid scratches.
Easy Schedule
It’s important to sweep vinyl plank floors at least a few times per week. If installed in a kitchen, you may need to sweep it daily to prevent dirt and grit from scratching the floor’s surface. Alternatively, you can vacuum rather than sweep – just remember to use a vacuum that doesn’t have a beater brush. It’s best to mop at least once per week. You may want to bump that up to a few times per week for high-traffic areas. That’s it! The schedule for maintaining your vinyl plank flooring is really no different from any other floor type.
Spills
While vinyl plank flooring is easy to clean, it’s important to wipe away spills as soon as possible. This will help prevent stains (especially with one of the cleaning agents used above). It will also help prevent moisture from seeping into the subfloor (though some vinyl lines are designed to prevent this). You can use one of the aforementioned cleaners for spills, but water is often enough.
No Waxing
Most luxury vinyl panel flooring is designed to offer its own beautiful shine, and patented treatments like Shaw’s ArmourBead help maintain that shine for years to come. So, there’s no need to wax. Doing so will eventually lead to smears, may degrade protective treatments and will simply prove to be a waste of money.
Learn More
Each flooring selection is a little different. For more expert advice on cleaning your vinyl plank flooring, or even the best flooring choice for your home, visit Mid-Michigan Floor Covering in Grand Ledge today!
