Tackle Stains Immediately
There’s nothing more unsightly than visible stains on your vinyl plank flooring. Although this flooring material is manufactured with a protective top layer, stains can still occur when they’re left to sit on the flooring.
The best way to prevent these stains from occurring is by wiping them up immediately. Soaking up the liquid before it has time to dry will prevent any lasting discoloration. While it’s advisable to handle them as soon as they happen, it’s not the end of the world if you don’t. We’ll address how to remove tough stains later in this article.
Mop Regularly
Mopping is an effective way of removing grime that has stuck to the surface of your flooring. It also helps to keep the factory shine that comes on the vinyl planks. While it doesn’t need to be completed as regularly as sweeping or vacuuming, you should still strive to mop your floors at least once a week.
When mopping, ensure that you’re wringing it out before use to avoid excess water. Water can pool in the cracks of your flooring causing the adhesive to weaken and the subfloor to absorb the moisture. If this is a challenge, consider using dry microfiber mops.
How to Deep Clean Luxury Vinyl Plank Flooring
Deep cleaning is essential for removing the trickier dirt that builds up over time. It’s the perfect opportunity to spend the extra time needed for hard-to-remove stains, surface scratches, and damaged planks.
One of the best ways to deep clean your vinyl floor is to mop the floor with a mixture of water and vinegar (8 cups of water with 1/2 cup of vinegar). This is a very effective solution for removing all sorts of deep dirt and grime from vinyl floors. You’ll also need to use a second bucket of just hot clean water to rinse the area you initially cleaned.
Deep cleaning doesn’t have to be done anywhere near as frequently as surface cleaning, but it’s good to follow a schedule. It’s recommended that you deep clean every 6 months or a year.
Treating Tough to Remove Stains
A benefit of luxury vinyl flooring is that it doesn’t have porous material for liquids to soak into, like carpet and hardwood. Most stains are preventable by cleaning them up early, but if time has passed since the liquid spilled and you find yourself with a vinyl stain, you can easily remove it with some simple ingredients. Nearly all stains can be removed with DIY cleaning products made from water, baking soda, and vinegar. The steps to follow are extremely straightforward:
- Mix an equal ratio of baking soda and warm water to create a paste
- Using a soft bristle brush, scrub the stained area with this mixture and let it sit for 15 minutes
- With a spray bottle, apply a generous amount of vinegar to the area
- Remove the cleaning solution with a wet sponge or washcloth
If the stain is oil-based, consider just using warm water and dish soap. Soap is quite effective at removing these types of stains, but it tends to leave behind a dull film on the flooring. Be sure to adequately wipe it up with water afterward. Additionally, never use steel wool on your luxury flooring. This is guaranteed to leave permanent scratches.
Source: whatisvinyl.com