Luxury vinyl flooring is a popular and practical choice for many homes and commercial spaces due to its durability, affordability, and ease of maintenance. To keep vinyl floors looking their best, regular cleaning and care are essential. In this step-by-step guide, we'll show you how to clean vinyl flooring effectively to ensure it stays in top condition for years to come.?
Proper care will help protect and maintain the appearance and performance of your resilient floor. ?
A Care Program Consists of Key Areas:
- Post-Construction Maintenance
- Preventative Maintenance
- Routine Maintenance
- Spot and Spill Removal. ?
For New Construction or Renovation: Construction dust and joint compound can be deposited on the flooring. If it is not completely removed and then wet mopped, it will create a haze on the surface of the flooring.
POST-CONSTRUCTION MAINTENANCE
- Dry mop floor using a microfiber mop pad or appropriate floor vacuum to remove dust particulate from the floor.
- Spray neutral pH cleaner onto the floor in manageable areas (spray mist will dry quickly). Use a microfiber wet mop pad to mop the floor with cleaner. If pad becomes dirty, be sure to replace the pad with a new microfiber wet mop pad. Mop floor in sections.
- Always rinse the floor with water only by mopping with water to remove any remaining residue from the floor.?
- In the event where dry wall dust/construction dust is mopped with water only, a residue film will appear on the floor after drying. Use the process below to remove the film from the floor.?
PROCESS TO REMOVE CONSTRUCTION RESIDUE OR CLOUDY FILM FROM RESILIENT FLOORING
- Dry mop floor to remove any construction dust or exterior soil tracked onto the flooring. Use microfiber dry mop pad. If microfiber dry mop pad gets dirty, replace pad with a clean pad.
- Spray neutral pH cleaner onto the floor in manageable areas (spray mist will dry quickly). Clean floor in sections. For smooth surface, use a low rpm (175 rpm) buffer with a 3M red pad on flooring with neutral pH cleaner applied to the floor to remove the residue film. (Never Dry Buff). For embossed or textured flooring, use a cylindrical brush scrubber and a neutral pH floor cleaner applied to the floor to remove the residue film.
- Using a wet microfiber mop pad, rinse with water only to remove any remaining residue from the flooring. When wet mop pad becomes dirty, be sure to replace the pad with a new microfiber wet mop pad.
- Repeat steps #2 and #3, if necessary.
When the resilient flooring is cleaned properly, the floor will have the same visual as right out of the box!
- Always protect floors when moving heavy objects to prevent permanent scratches and tears.
- Adhering tape to the surface of your resilient flooring could damage the surface.?
- Do not use tape to secure floor protection directly to the floor during construction or renovation. Instead, adhere tape to the material used to protect the floor and secure it to the base molding along the wall. ?A material such as ram board can also be used to protect your flooring.
- To protect your flooring from indentations that can result from stationary furniture and appliances, floor protectors under the furniture should be used to distribute the weight load. Chair pads should be used under desk chairs to prevent damage from the castor wheels.
- Place chair pads underneath rolling chairs to prevent damage to the LVT flooring.?
- Walk-off mats should be used at all entrances to absorb soil and moisture. If mats are placed directly on top of the resilient floors, use mats without latex or rubber backings to avoid possible discoloration.
- Avoid direct sunlight on LVT flooring as it can cause fading and expansion of vinyl planks. Use window protection.
- Surface temperature should not exceed 155F (31.6C) from sunlight, bed bug treatment, steam mop, etc, and temperatures should not fall below 55F (13C). Exposing product to temperatures outside the recommended range could cause expansion of vinyl planks. (This allowance is for floating floors only and does not apply to glue-down installations).
- Products containing bleach and steam mops are not recommended.
- Daily removal of dirt and dust is important to prevent particles from abrading the surface of resilient floors.
- Sweeping, dust mopping, and vacuuming are recommendations to remove soil particles that can result in scratches and worn appearances. Do not use vacuums with rotating beater bars on hard surfaces.
- Periodic wet cleaning will be necessary to help maintain the floor’s appearance. Always pre- vacuum or dust mop before any type of wet cleaning. Appropriate vinyl floor cleaning equipment and cleaning agents (neutral pH floor cleaners) are recommended. Do not use abrasive cleaners or cleaning agents that leave dull residues on the surface of the floors. Follow the cleaning manufacturer’s instructions for damp mopping and application. If rinsing is necessary, use clean water and expedite drying with air movers or fans.
- Avoid using mop and shine products on your resilient flooring.
- Some disinfectants contain chemicals that can stain, discolor and cause general harm to your flooring product.
- Quaternary Ammonium Salts are among those that have been found to be harmful to your flooring when used over time. ?Take care to choose pH neutral products only. ?
- Our flooring products are engineered to resist and minimize common staining.
- Absorb wet spills as quickly as possible by blotting with paper or cloth towels. Rinse with water if necessary and blot dry.
- Dried spots should be removed by gentle agitation and rinsed with water. Blot dry.
- Use a Hard Surface Cleaner cleaning product or products formulated for vinyl floor cleaning.
- Do not use detergents or abrasive cleaners since these products can leave a dull residue.
- Use rubbing alcohol (isopropyl alcohol) with a clean white cloth for spots requiring a solvent type cleaner that water and cleaning agents cannot remove.?
- Please note that some stain conditions may become permanent.
- Safety Caution: The surfaces of resilient floors change during wet cleaning and finish applications. Use appropriate safety measures.
Properly cleaning and maintaining your vinyl flooring is essential to ensure it retains its beauty and durability. With regular care, your vinyl floors will continue to serve you well for many years to come.? ?
FAQs?
- How often should I clean my luxury vinyl floors???It's recommended to clean your vinyl floors weekly to prevent dirt buildup. High-traffic areas may require more frequent cleaning.?
- Can I use a steam mop on vinyl flooring???Steam mops are generally not recommended for vinyl flooring, as excessive heat and moisture can damage the adhesive and cause the floor to warp.?
- What should I do if my vinyl flooring becomes discolored???If your vinyl flooring becomes discolored, consult the manufacturer's guidelines for recommended cleaning products. Some discoloration may be reversible with proper care.?
- Are there any cleaning products I should avoid on vinyl flooring???Avoid using abrasive cleaners, ammonia-based products, and harsh chemicals, as they can damage the vinyl's surface.?
- Can I wax my vinyl flooring for extra shine???Most modern vinyl flooring does not require waxing. In fact, waxing can create a slippery surface and may lead to build up over time. Check the manufacturer's recommendations for your specific flooring type.?
