Vinyl Flooring

For many years, vinyl flooring has been fashionable for bathrooms and kitchens. It is a reasonably priced floor covering which has a cushioned core. This makes it warmer and more comfortable to walk on than hardwood or tile floors. With proper cleaning and general upkeep, your vinyl floor can keep its original shine for several years and look great at the same time.

How To

Sweep and vacuum your vinyl floors frequently. This will prevent pieces of dirt, stones, and other abrasives from scratching the vinyl’s surface, which will dull the shine. A good habit to get into is quickly running a soft broom over the vinyl flooring every evening before you go to bed or after dinner. Create a 50/50 mixture of either vinegar and hot water or ammonia and hot water, and mop the floor with this solution. If the vinyl flooring is heavily soiled, use a mixture of hot water and Ivory Dish Soap; then, allow the soapy water to remain on the floor for a few minutes.

This will loosen up any dirt, allowing you to wipe the floor dry with a clean cloth. Use a mixture of isopropyl alcohol and water to remove wax build up. You will want to mix three parts hot water with one part alcohol, and then scrub the floor well with the solution. Use a clean cloth dampened with a small amount of paint thinner or lighter fluid to rub off scuff marks and scrapes. After the mark is removed, rinse the area with hot, clean water. For persistent stains, use a three to one solution of hot water and bleach. Soak a clean rag in the mixture and lay it over the stain. Allow it to sit for about an hour, remove the rag and wash the area with hot water. If the stain is still there, wait a few days and repeat the process.

Tips & Takeaways

It is important to use the right cleanser when cleaning your vinyl floors. Older vinyl requires waxing, so you must clean it using detergent and warm water. If your no-wax vinyl needs maintenance, you need to use a cleaner that is specifically used for no-wax floors. You can remove wax build up by using a solution of water and isopropyl alcohol  which is extremely cheap on Amazon, or can be purchased at a local home improvement store.

It is important that you do not drench your vinyl flooring with water. An overly wet mop can cause water to seep into cracks, destroying the glue bond that holds the vinyl in place. To protect your vinyl floor, you may want to use protective “feet” on your large appliances and furniture. The weight of heavy items, such as refrigerators, tables and couches, can cause damage to the vinyl flooring. Fit your furniture with floor protectors to prevent this. You may also want to use a doormat to help keep out chemicals and dirt, which can be tracked in from outside. Asphalt chemicals can stick to your shoes and then to the floor, which may cause it to turn yellow. Lastly, before you move any furniture around, put heavy items such as appliances on a plywood path to prevent them from scratching or scuffing your vinyl floors.