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Maintain the brilliance of your vinyl floors with these handy maintenance techniques
Do your vinyl floors appear dull or grimy even after cleaning? Luxury vinyl planks (LVP) offer robust flooring solutions, but they require periodic polishing to preserve their gloss. Fortunately, restoring and maintaining the shine of your vinyl floors is a breeze with common household cleaners. Continue reading for a step-by-step guide on revitalizing your floors and ensuring they stay radiant for years to come.
Key Points to Remember
- Prior to polishing, thoroughly sweep or vacuum your vinyl plank floors to eliminate dirt and debris. If there's residual finish on the planks, utilize a wax remover to address it.
- Polish your floors using a pH-neutral vinyl cleaner and mop in the direction of the grain. Alternatively, achieve a shiny finish by diluting vinegar or rubbing alcohol.
- After applying the cleaner, wipe the floor with a damp cloth or mop to remove any residue.
Step-by-Step Procedure
Effective Methods for Cleaning & Polishing Vinyl Floors
Begin by Vacuuming or Sweeping Your Flooring. Utilize a soft-bristle broom or a dust mop to eliminate all dirt and dust from your floor. If you prefer vacuuming, ensure to deactivate the beater brush to prevent scratching your luxury vinyl planks while cleaning.
- Sweeping or vacuuming removes small particles of dirt, sand, and rocks that may cause scratches and damage the floor finish.
- If your vacuum doesn't allow disabling the beater brush, utilize a brush or hose attachment for cleaning.
Utilize a Wax Remover to Remove Old Finishes from Your Floors. While luxury vinyl planks typically don't have finishes, previous use of wax or 'quick shine' products may leave residue. Apply wax remover with a sponge mop, work it into a small area of your floor, and let it sit to strip away the residue. Then, gently scrub the spot with a brush or electric scrubber, rinse with a damp mop, and let it dry completely.
- For a DIY wax remover, mix 1⁄2–1 cup (120–240 ml) of ammonia in 1 gallon (3.8 L) of warm water.
- Test the wax remover in an inconspicuous spot before applying it to the entire floor.
- Follow the instructions on the wax remover's label, as procedures may vary slightly.
Mop Your Floors with a pH-Neutral Cleaner to Restore Their Shine. Follow the instructions on the cleaner's packaging to determine the appropriate dilution with warm water. Wet a sponge mop with the cleaner, wring out excess liquid, and mop along the grain direction of the planks to remove dirt and dust trapped in crevices. Finish by mopping with clean water to rinse off the cleaner.
- Avoid applying undiluted acidic or abrasive cleaners, as they may damage the floor or leave a haze on the surface.
- Ensure the mop isn't overly wet, and prevent liquid from pooling on the floor, as it could cause damage.
Enhance the Shine of Your Floors with an Apple Cider Vinegar Solution. Mix
1⁄4 cup (59 ml) of apple cider vinegar with about 1 US quart (0.95 L) of warm water. Wet a mop with the solution and gently scrub your floors along the plank direction. Rinse the mop frequently with hot water while spreading the solution across the floor.
- Apple cider vinegar effectively removes dirt and debris from the wear layer of your vinyl planks, restoring their original shine.
- Alternatively, use distilled white vinegar for disinfecting purposes.
- Add a few drops of baby oil or Jojoba oil to the vinegar solution for a thin, glossy coating on your floors.
Utilize a baking soda paste to eliminate stains and dull spots. Combine equal parts water and baking soda to create a thick paste. Apply the paste onto stains or marks on your vinyl floors using a damp microfiber cloth. Gently scrub the paste from the edges toward the center to restore shine to the vinyl planks. Finally, wipe away the baking soda residue with a clean damp cloth or mop.
- Baking soda effectively removes cloudy marks or stains caused by food or beverages.
- If stains persist, reapply the baking soda paste and scrub again.
Erase scuff marks using a damp melamine sponge. Wet a melamine sponge and squeeze out excess water. Gently scrub the black scuff marks in high-traffic areas to restore glossiness to your floors.
- Avoid using abrasive sponges or brushes as they may damage the vinyl's wear layer.
Use diluted rubbing alcohol to tackle stubborn marks on your floor. Mix equal parts rubbing alcohol and warm water. Apply the solution to the mark using a sponge mop or microfiber cloth. Wipe the area clean with a damp cloth.
- If the mark persists, moisten a clean cloth corner with undiluted rubbing alcohol and gently wipe the stain. Rinse with a damp cloth when finished.
- Rubbing alcohol is effective against oily stains from nail polish, ink, or cosmetics.
Effective Vinyl Plank Flooring Maintenance
Regularly sweep or vacuum dirt. Use a broom, dust mop, or vacuum to clean dirt, dust, or debris from your floors. Check for dirt daily and clean as needed, aiming to clean your floors at least once a week.
- Avoid using a vacuum's beater brush to prevent scratching the vinyl plank finish.
Position doormats at entryways. Place a doormat inside and outside each doorway. Clean your shoes before stepping onto your floors to reduce the risk of tracking in dirt or debris that could damage the surface or dull the appearance.
- Avoid using mats with rubber backing to prevent potential staining of your vinyl floors.
Draw your blinds to shield your floor from sunlight. Prolonged exposure to UV rays can cause discoloration and damage to your floors, so close your blinds or shades during peak sunlight hours.
Apply floor protectors beneath furniture. Lay down a protective floor mat under rolling chairs or frequently moved furniture to prevent marks on your floor. Alternatively, affix felt furniture pads to heavy furniture legs to avoid scraping against the vinyl planks when moving them.
- Replace felt pads when they become dirty or covered in debris to prevent scratching your floor.
Avoid waxing your floors. Luxury vinyl plank floors come with a built-in protective coating, eliminating the need for additional finishing. Excessive wax layers can become cloudy or hazy over time, so regular cleaning is preferable to maintain the shine and cleanliness of your vinyl floors.
Helpful Suggestions
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After using any cleaner, wipe the floor with a clean cloth to remove streak marks.
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Clean up spills immediately to prevent stains or damage to your vinyl plank floors.
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If you have pets, keep their nails trimmed to prevent scratching or marking your floor.
Warnings
- Avoid using steam cleaners on luxury vinyl planks as the heat and moisture can cause damage.
Things You’ll Need
- Vacuum or broom
- Wax remover or ammonia
- Stiff-bristled brush or electric scrubber
- Melamine sponge
- pH neutral vinyl cleaner
- Mop
- Apple cider vinegar or distilled white vinegar
- Baking soda
- Rubbing alcohol
