Luxury Vinyl Maintenance Made Simple

Luxury vinyl flooring is a beautiful addition to any home. Durability and easy care are just two of the many attractive benefits of this flooring type. A simple luxury vinyl care routine and maintenance is all you need to keep vinyl flooring looking like new for years to come.

One great advantage of vinyl flooring is that it’s highly durable, so you don’t need a complicated maintenance routine to keep your floors looking great. We have put together a list of simple luxury vinyl care steps that were gathered from all of our manufacturers.

Sweep or Dry Mop Daily

Luxury vinyl is highly durable, but dirt and debris can scratch the surface like any other hard flooring. Over time, scratches can leave your floor looking dull.

Dry mop or sweep daily to prevent scratches and keep your floor looking its best. Make it a part of your daily routine, or invest in a robotic vacuum that will do the work for you. Just make sure that you choose a model that is designed for vinyl flooring and doesn’t have a beater bar.

Taking a little time each day to mop or sweep will keep your floors looking like new and prevent dirt from scratching the surface.

Use a Microfiber Mop

Some types of mops and cleaning pads can be very abrasive. A Microfiber mop will attract any little bits of dust, pet hair, or dirt missed by dry mopping. We recommend getting one by Bona.

We recommend avoiding using a traditional mop and bucket of water because it only spreads water around the floor without actually cleaning. Luxury vinyl is water-resistant but not waterproof, so it’s important to avoid soaking the surface. Stick to a damp mop and a manufacturer-approved vinyl floor cleaner for optimal results. Excess water can seep into the seams, leading to potential damage over time.

Another thing you want to avoid is using a steam mop. While convenient and easy to use, steam mops can damage and warp vinyl floors.

Using a damp microfiber mop with the appropriate cleaner will keep your floors looking their best without damaging them. A great alternative to a store purchased cleaner is lukewarm water with a bit of mild soap.

Clean Spills as Soon as They Happen

To keep any type of flooring looking like new, it’s important to clean up spills right away to prevent staining or other damage.

Never Drag Furniture

Moving heavy furniture can be a chore. It’s tempting just to slide or drag the furniture around the room, but doing so can damage your vinyl flooring. Furniture pads are relatively inexpensive and can save you a floor repair in the future.

To protect your floors, lift the furniture up off the floor and move it. Alternatively, you can purchase furniture sliders that are made for vinyl flooring. Sliders make it easier to move heavy pieces of furniture without damaging your floors.

Avoid Using a Vacuum with a Beater Bar or Abrasive Cleaners

Dry mopping is the gentlest way to remove dirt and debris from your vinyl floors, but you may prefer to use a vacuum instead. Vinyl plank flooring is compatible with vacuums that lack a beater bar. Opt for a model specifically designed for hard floors, and steer clear of vacuums with rotating brushes, which can leave scratches on the surface.

Beater bars can damage the floor and scratch the surface, leaving it looking dull.

Also, when mopping your floor, make sure that you’re not using abrasive cleaners or mop pads.

• Never use bleach or ammonia on vinyl floors

Use Floor Protectors on All Furniture

If you have heavy furniture or appliances that you don’t use often, make sure to use floor protectors to prevent damage.

Floor protectors should be:

• Flat
• Non-staining or marring

Use protecting mats under all office furniture, especially under the office chairs. Damages caused by the movement of the office chair or any other object, including wheelchairs, are not covered by the warranty.

Use Mats at Entrances and Exits

Quality floor mats can help prevent some dirt and mud from getting into the house.

Mats collect and trap dirt, oil, grit, sand, and other abrasive materials that can damage your vinyl flooring.

Place mats at every entrance and exit in your home to ensure that your floors are thoroughly protected.

Remove Stains and Spots Carefully

Spills and stains happen. While it’s best to clean them immediately, sometimes accidents happen, and you don’t notice stains until they’ve set in.

Stains are commonly caused by food, blood, dyes, drinks, grass, pet accidents, and rust.

Removing stains and spots from vinyl needs to be done carefully. Always use a clean, light-colored cloth for spot removal and when using vinyl flooring products:

• Start by cleaning the area with an appropriate floor cleaner.
• Next, scrub the area with a non-abrasive white scrubbing pad.
• If removing spots from permanent marker, pen ink, hair dye, or nail polish, treat the area with isopropyl alcohol.
• To remove rust, use cream of tartar.
• Finally, rinse with clean water, and buff dry with a clean cloth.

Choose pH-neutral cleaners made for luxury vinyl to maintain its integrity. For regular cleaning, a simple mix of warm water and mild dish soap works well. Stay away from harsh chemicals, as they can erode the floor’s protective wear layer.

Conclusion

Keeping your vinyl flooring looking its best is easier than you think. Follow our luxury vinyl care tips and only use cleaning products that are designed for vinyl flooring.

Simple Flooring provides expert flooring installation and maintenance services throughout the greater Chicago area. Whether you need advice on keeping your vinyl plank flooring in top shape or are planning a new installation, simply contact our team for reliable guidance and expert support.