Less is more when it comes to keeping this durable flooring looking its best.
Learn how to clean vinyl floors and how often.
What Are Vinyl Floors?
Credit:Getty Images / Liudmila Chernetska
If you have kids or pets, you probably need toclean the floors more frequently.
This is especially true in high-traffic spaces like the entryway, kitchen, and primary bathroom(s).
High-traffic rooms can be damp-mopped weekly or every other week.
Rooms that see less foot traffic may only need to be damp-mopped monthly.
Regular sweeping, dry-mopping, or vacuuming reduces the frequency with which vinyl floors need to be damp-mopped.
If the manufacturers instructions are unavailable, these general tips can serve as a guide.
Vinyl floors should be cleaned with a dry or damp cloth or mop.
Dont let water or liquid cleaning agents puddle on the floor.
Never clean a vinyl floor with asteam mop.
Avoid abrasives: Vinyl floors are known for being scratch-resistant but not scratch-proof.
Mind your vacuum prefs: Vacuums should be set to the floor setting to prevent scratches.
No paste wax, hey:Paste wax polishes should not be used on vinyl flooring.
The wax creates a film that leaves the floors looking dull and dirty and builds up over time.
Sweep debris into a dustpan or vacuum it up.
Vacuum
Set your vacuum to the hardwood setting to disengage the beater bar and rotating brush.
Then, vacuum the vinyl floors, working from the corners inward to the center of the room.
Melamine Foam Sponge:Use a melamine foam sponge to remove stains and scuffs from vinyl floors.
Baking Soda Paste:Abaking soda pastecan remove stains from vinyl floors and is especially effective on dried-on spills.
Mix baking soda with just enough warm water to form a paste and apply it to a microfiber cloth.
Using a circular motion, work the paste into the spill.
Rubbing Alcohol:Rubbing alcohol is an excellent stain remover that can be safely used on vinyl flooring.
Starting in the far corner of the room, mop vinyl floors using a figure-eight motion.
Work backward so youre always standing on an unmopped section of the floor to avoid tracking footprints.
Allowing water to sit on vinyl can cause the floors to warp, bubble, or buckle.
Melamine sponges shed microplastics when scrubbed.American Chemical Society.
