Vinyl flooring products are beloved for being easy to clean and maintain. Daily wear and tear can take its toll, however, which means performing basic vinyl flooring maintenance should be part of your cleaning routine. Grab your vacuum and rubber gloves, it’s time for our vinyl flooring care and maintenance tips!

How to Care for Vinyl Floors

Vinyl floors are tough and durable, but you’ll get more life out of your flooring with regular cleaning and a few preventative measures.

Regular Cleaning

Depending on how busy and active your home is, you may need to sweep or vacuum daily, weekly, or somewhere in between. The more people live with you, the more often you should sweep or vacuum to remove abrasive dirt and dust from your floor’s surface.

Periodic Cleaning

Every month, once a season, or as needed, take a little more time to damp mop your vinyl floors. Start with a pH-neutral floor cleaner, preferably one designed for vinyl. Always check with the flooring manufacturer or owner’s handbook to see which cleaners are safe to use.

Use a damp, not wet, mop. Excessive water from mopping can damage vinyl by seeping through seams and affecting the adhesive or subfloor. Once clean, let the floor air dry or use a fan to speed things along.

Address Spills Immediately

Outside of your regular and periodic cleaning routines, tackle liquid spills immediately with a soft cloth or paper towel. This prevents liquid from damaging the adhesive between planks or tiles and protects any underlayment or subflooring below.

In most cases, warm water and a mild dish soap will remove minor stains quickly. For more stubborn stains, use a diluted white vinegar solution of equal parts vinegar and water, and always rinse the area with clean water before drying.

Learn More About Laminate vs. Vinyl Flooring: What’s the Difference?

Protect Your Vinyl Flooring: Door Mats and Furniture Pads

The best way to take care of vinyl plank flooring is with preventative measures. Get ahead of scrapes and other problems with these tips!

  • Use doormats. Place quality doormats at all entryways to keep dirt, moisture, and debris at the door.
  • Use furniture pads. Place felt protectors or dedicated furniture pads on the legs of chairs, tables, and couches. Consider using floor protectors under home office chairs, too.
  • Trim pet nails. Limit scratches from Fido by regularly trimming your pet’s nails.
  • Use area rugs. Never underestimate the protection offered by a well-placed, high-quality area rug or runner. Add an area rug to busy hallways, by the kitchen and bathroom sinks, and any areas prone to spills.

Find Your Dream Floors with Floor Coverings International® of Spokane

We know choosing, installing, and caring for new floors is a big investment. You can count on our experienced local team to provide expert recommendations and insight to make the process simple. Compare thousands of flooring samples from top brands from the comfort of your home with our Mobile Flooring Showroom®. Start your project today by scheduling a free in-home consultation!