How to Clean Vinyl Flooring Properly
Vinyl floors increase the beauty of your house, and they are also durable, long-lasting for which these floors are popular among the homeowners as these are available in a wide range of patterns and colors.
But, in order to keep them looking stunning, vinyl floors need extra care and proper cleaning.
Therefore, if you have a vinyl floor in the house, you need to learn the different cleaning tips and technique of cleaning. Over time, you will identify which technique works best for you.
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Below here are a few tips on how to clean vinyl flooring properly:
Dry Mop or Vacuum Clean:
At first, you should use a vacuum cleaner or dry mop to get rid of dirt, dust, and debris on the floor, then you should start cleaning your vinyl floor.
Usually, dirt and various kinds of debris are the main causes of discolored and visually displeasing floors. You should always vacuum clean before wet mopping the floor.
Use Dry Mop or Vacuum Cleaner
If you want to keep out harsh chemicals and dirt then consider using a doormat which helps to avoid harsh chemicals from asphalt stick to your shoes, and you transfer them to your floor resulting in yellowing.
Low Impact Cleaning Techniques:
In most common cases it is easy to get tempted to blast away stubborn dirt with heavy-duty or industrial floor cleaners. However, it is advised that you should clean your vinyl floor using the mildest techniques.
Soak your mop in warm water and rub gently to get rid of dirt that your vacuum cleaner or broom cannot remove. If this process still does not work, then add floors cleaning soap or detergent in the warm water and mop the area gently.
Use the Right Floor Cleansers:
Choosing the floor cleaners could be a daunting task, and most homeowners go wrong when choosing the product. Depending on the type of vinyl floor you have, choose a cleanser depending on that.
For example, don’t wash vinyl floors with cleansers designed for no -wax or vice versa cause different cleansers should be used differently.
Use the right floor cleaner
So, read the instructions on the container carefully. However, if your vinyl floor is old and requires waxing, use warm water and detergent to clean it.
To get rid of the dirt you have to use a damp sponge or mop to rub the area gently but be careful not to rub off the wax because you would have to reapply it otherwise.
After cleaning the floor and make it dirt and stains free, rinse it with cool water and a clean mop. Don’t forget to rinse the detergent even if the manual says so.
Avoid Drenching Your Floor:
While using a wet sponge or mop to clean a built-in stain, make sure they are not overly wet. Otherwise, you may end up using the excess water which will get into the edges, cracks, and seams and destroy the glue bond that holds your vinyl floor in place.
As a result, the floor may loosen, and its corners may curl or torn up.
Rinse Well:
Soaps and detergents are good at cleaning and removing dirt, but, soap scrums leave a stickiness that collects dust and dirt that may require serious cleaning. To avoid such situation don’t forget to rinse your floor with a clean damp mop.
The water you use to dump the mop should be clean without containing any soap or detergent. Change the water once or twice if needed. Use two different mops while cleaning your floor- one for washing and another for rinsing.
Preserving the Shine:
Because of the clear polyurethane coating on no-wax vinyl floors, it gets a shiny look. So, avoid using waxing products and mops to restore the shine.
You can use a sealant or polish designed for no-wax floors. Before applying two thin layers of polish or sealant, ensure that the floor is thoroughly clean.
If applied properly, the layers should protect the shininess for about one year or two. Relatively, older vinyl floors should be waxed when necessary.
Using Apple Cider Vinegar:
Use apple cider vinegar
For Vinyl floors, apple cider vinegar is one of the best cleansers to use. This cider vinegar contains a certain amount of acidity which assists in removing grime and dirt without leaving soap stains behind.
You have to add a cup of apple cider vinegar to a bucket of warm water and use a mop to clean.
While cleaning rinse the mop regularly with hot water, and replace cider vinegar with white vinegar- if you want to disinfect your floor as you clean. Add a few drops of baby oil to your water and vinegar solution for the shinier floor.
Conclusion:
Just like any other chores, you should care good care of your vinyl floor by cleaning it on regular basis and properly. The secret is to understand your vinyl floor type and the type of stain you need to address. For instance, a soft bristle brush and household solvents remove stains from the floor.
Rubbing alcohol removes ink, hair dye, and lipstick stains, while mineral spirits help get rid of marker, paint and crayon stains.
