How To Clean Vinyl Floors

MARCH 4, 2021 | Cleaning Tips

Vinyl flooring has become extremely popular for kitchens, bathrooms, and basements because of its great looks and affordability. Though it is also known to last a long time, vinyl does have its unique quirks that you should know about when cleaning and caring for it. Here is everything to know on how to clean vinyl before you start attempting regular maintenance so you can enjoy your flooring for years to come.

Sweeping floor with indoor O-Cedar broom

1. Remove Dirt & Debris

Loose grit can scratch your vinyl flooring permanently so make sure to use a gentle method for debris removal like an indoor broom or a dust mop.

2. Use a Mop That Soaks Up Moisture

Just a little bit of your favorite floor cleaner that is marked as safe to use on vinyl will work perfectly. Avoid using scouring powder or ammonia. Once you have your floor cleaner prepped, dip your mop into the solution and wring out most of the moisture. If you’re using a spray mop, spray just enough liquid onto the floor so you can effectively wipe up dirt and debris. Though new vinyl is water-resistant, older versions of it were made with fabric backing and will be ruined if doused in water. A microfiber mop will allow you to absorb excess moisture effectively. Use one of these mops for a deep and gentle clean:

EasyWring^{^™} Spin Mop & Bucket System: This mop gives you the convenience of a deep clean with a hands-free wringing bucket to control the moisture level on your mop head.
ProMist^{^®} MAX Microfiber Spray Mop: Instead of using spray mops that require disposable pads, create less waste and get a quick clean with this reusable microfiber mop.
Hardwood Floor ‘N More^{^®} Microfiber Mop: Perfect for picking up moisture, loose dirt, dust, and any other form of debris!

3. Tackle the Stains

Spills are bound to happen and make stains, especially in the kitchen. No matter the type of stain, always use a cloth made out of microfiber. The soap you should use, however, will differ based on the following:

Food stains: Make a paste out of two tablespoons of baking soda and one teaspoon of water, then use the cloth to gently scrub away the food
Scuff marks: Scrub over scuffs marks with a pencil eraser, tennis ball, or a dry microfiber cloth. Either item can quickly remove light scuff marks.
Grease stains: Dip the cloth in rubbing alcohol and start scrubbing at the outer edge of the stain, working your way toward the center to keep the stain from growing larger or smearing.

4. Let it Dry

After cleaning with any of the mops and methods above, there should be very little moisture left on your floor. Still, try to avoid walking around on it until it’s completely dry.

5. Maintain Appearance & Quality

Vinyl flooring is lovely and durable. In addition to your regular cleaning process above, here are some tips to help you keep it that way:

Don’t use steel wool or coarse brushes to scrub the floor.
Note if your floors are no-wax vinyl. If so, do not use wax or paste to clean them.
Place a rug at the entrance of each room that has vinyl floors to catch dirt and debris.
Avoid creating scrapes when moving furniture by lifting the items instead of dragging them.

Now that you know how to clean vinyl floors, let the sweeping and mopping begin! With the right tools in hand that truly give you desirable results, cleaning can actually be fun. Check out more of our innovative cleaning tools by clicking here.