Cleaning Vinyl Flooring Made Simple
December 11, 2018
One of the biggest draws to vinyl flooring is its ability to withstand the busiest of traffic areas. It can really take a beating, still look great, and function effectively. However, let’s not overlook the fact that like a lot of high-quality products, vinyl floors need T.L.C. to live their best (and longest) lives.
Since vinyl floors are the go-to for both hospitality designers and commercial designers, it is vastly important to have knowledge about how to maintain them. After all, the more you know, the more you’ll have to offer!
Now, truth be told, there isn’t one way to care for vinyl flooring properly. In fact, there are remedies galore, depending on the kind of cleaning you’re looking to do.
We’ve broken it down into three, simple categories. Let’s get to work, shall we?
For spills…
To prevent spills from turning into something worse (stains, noooooo!), wipe them up as soon as they happen. Yes, there is a proper way to do this, and yes it is super-duper simple! Using plain water on a paper towel is a safe and effective way to nix any further damage caused by the spill.
For stains…
There are few different scenarios when it comes to cleaning up stains from vinyl floors. Check them out:
- Basic stains like juice, tomato sauce, etc. call for a paste made from water and baking soda. Make the paste and use a soft towel to rub the stain until it disappears. It might take several treatments to dissolve to your liking. In between treatments, use the apple cider vinegar and water solution (see below).
- More intense stains like ink, paint, etc. can be lifted using rubbing alcohol by way of a soft-bristled toothbrush. Never use steel or wool brushes, as scratching could occur. And for nail polish, believe it or not, you can just use nail polish remover to get it out!
- Lastly, for scuff marks, use WD-40. After the surface is to your liking, clean up the WD-40 with the apple cider vinegar and water solution (see below).
For longevity…
Think of vinyl flooring like one’s health. Preventative care is crucial, right? So, if you stay on top of cleaning vinyl floors on a weekly basis, they’ll have a maximized opportunity to sustain their beauty and function. To do this, there are two options as far as cleaners go. You could go with a brand-name cleaner or you could make your own [eco-friendly] solution with ingredients you probably already have in your storage or cleaning closet.
If you choose to go with the eco-friendly recipe, it’s pretty simple:
Mix a gallon of hot water with one cup of apple cider vinegar. If you want the solution to pack a bit of an extra punch, add a few drops of dishwasher soap to it. Side note: while you’re cleaning, make sure you consistently clean the mop using a second bucket of hot water (plain).
Don’t forget to do a thorough sweeping before you use the above instructions! The ideal recipe is to have as much of the dust, dirt, and debris swept up before you take a wet mop to the floors.
Our team of surface ninjas here at Trinity Surfaces totally nerds out over stuff like this. So, if reading about cleaning vinyl flooring has you “feeling some type of way,” you’re in the right place.
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Categorised in: LVT
This post was written by Matt Hepner
