how to clean lvp flooring

Vinyl flooring is an inexpensive, durable-attractive shiny flooring option for wood floor enthusiasts. It can last between 10-20 years. But with proper installation care and maintenance, it can out-do its allocated lifetime frame. Taking appropriate cleaning methods and products may sustain its sheen look and protect it from scratches and dents. But how do I clean old vinyl flooring?

Ensure you wipe liquid spills as soon as they happen with plain water. Weekly or Biweekly thorough cleaning is quite essential and important. You can Use Swiffer WetJet for LVP vinyl flooring cleaning needs. Commercially you can get a vacuum cleaner or wet mops to do the cleaning job. As for DIY's get apple cider vinegar, jojoba oils, baking soda, WD40, essential oils, or even Liquid Dishwashing Soap.

Vinyl flooring has the ability to withstand a lot of abuse and high traffic areas. However, they still require basic care and cleaning, below are recommended commercial and homemade cleaning procedures.

How to Clean Vinyl Flooring

how to clean Vinyl wood floor, vinyl planks flooring

1. Vacuum

First vacuum your floor or dry mop to remove dust, hair, and dirt from vinyl flooring. You may consider moving your furniture as you vacuum to ensure you reach all corners of your floor area. This will help to prevent dust clog to a small particle that can ruin your floor with time or even staining. It helps you prepare for a wet mop.

2. Wet Mop

Here you may consider actual mopping. There are several commercial and homemade methods to choose from. You can clean your vinyl floor naturally using baking soda, vinegar, and all acidic substances like fruit juice, tomato sauce, ketchup, apple cider vinegar, etc. Swiffer WetJet dry and mop cleaner is a good companion when wet cleaning your vinyl flooring.

Read More: Can You Use Swiffer WetJet on Luxury Vinyl Flooring?

Homemade Vinyl Floor Cleaner

Cleaning vinyl plank flooring shouldn't be an expensive undertaking. Right inside your home or kitchen are many available options that can leave your floor extremely clean with a shiny look. Here are a few methods to clean your vinyl floor naturally.

1. Apple Cider Vinegar

You can use apple cider vinegar to clean your vinyl floors as well as giving it a fresh look.

Steps on how to clean vinyl with vinegar

Measure a cup of apple cider vinegar
Mix vinegar with a gallon of hot water. You may add a few drops of liquid washing soap to your mixture for extra cleaning.
Use your mop, Dip it in your mixture. Wring it to leave it damp.
You may add a few drops of jojoba oil to make and leave your floor shiny.

Apple cider vinegar cleans your vinyl floor gently, leaving it in good shape. Vinegar cleans without leaving any residue. The vinegar smell fades away as the cleaners dry. Vinegar acidity removes dirt on your vinyl without leaving the soapy film as well as leaving your floor sanitized.

2. Baking Soda

Steps

Mix baking powder with water to make a thick paste
Use a clean soft cloth and rub your tough stains like berry juice, wine, etc baking soda will work and renew your old stained floor. Baking soda is abrasive take the stains right up. Rub gently until the stubborn stain disappear. Use a microfiber mop to leave your floor sparkling.

3. Jojoba oil.

If apple cider vinegar is not good for you, Jojoba oil is a good alternative for your vinyl floor cleaning.

Steps

Place jojoba oil on a soft cloth or microfiber mop.
Rub the vinyl floor scuff marks and scratches. Jojoba won't ruin your floor but will leave the marks less noticeable. In case you want to get rid of Scratches completely, you may need to remove individual planks for replacement. Jojoba oil will leave your vinyl floor clean and shiny.

Jojoba oil is will take care of your vinyl lingering and stubborn stains completely. It is a good option is you are considering doing a deep cleaning on your vinyl flooring.

4. Liquid Dishwashing Soap.

Steps

Measure a gallon of warm water
Add 5-10 drops of liquid washing soap such as ECOS Earth Friendly Products. You may add 1 cup of vinegar for extra care.
Dishwashing soap is a heavy-duty cleaning agent. It is a good remedy for extra dirty vinyl cleaning as well as removing deep dirty marks. It requires a careful final mop to remove and prevent soap.

5. Essential Oil

In areas you are faced with stubborn stains, the essential oil is all you need to get rid of tough stubborn stains.

Steps

Put 15-22 drops of citrus essential oil in a spray bottle.
Add liquid dish soap, few drops of white vinegar.
Spray the mixture on the stain, you May first sprinkle table salt and spray until wet.
Allow the mixture to settle and sit on the stain for a few minutes.
For extra stubborn stains pick a toothbrush and scrub the stain until it's gone.
Repeat the procedure above until the stains are all gone.
Rinse the area with clean water.

6. WD-40

If your vinyl wood floor has marks or permanent stains, WD 40 can knock them out. WD40 is an effective cleaner if you got scuffs on your floor that require deep cleaning.

Steps

Rub a piece of clean cloth or microfiber mop with WD40 on the stained, discolored, or on grease spots.
Allow the wipe to settle for a minute or two. You should be able to wipe it away with little or no effort.
Spray WD40 to a clean cloth and give the area a final wipe.
Consider rinsing with clean water.

Best Luxury Vinyl Flooring Cleaners

1.Bona

Features

It's ready to use surface cleaner refill
Its water-based formula and dries fast
Safe for pet, people and eco-friendly
Low VOC emission
Safe for all unwaxed, unoiled, polyurethane finished wood floors
Contains ethoxylated alcohol

You have the above three packages to choose from.

Bona Hard-Surface Floor Cleaner.
Bona Hardwood Floor Cleaner.
Bona Professional Series Hardwood Floor Cleaner.

Bona cleaner is a great cleaner that comes with above different bottles for mops or even meant for their own spray bottles. Its recommended by professional cleaners and requires no diluting is required.

Using the spray bottle spray over small areas on the floor and mop using a microfiber or damp sponge mop until clean and then continue to other areas. Bona is an effective cleaner that cleans through grime and dirt residues leaving your floor extremely clean and with the shiny appeal.

2.Black Diamond

Features

No-rinse hypoallergenic formula
Removes dirt, dust, footprints, and spills easily
Safe around kids and pets
Eco-friendly and biodegradable

The black diamond wood cleaner is great for both real and laminate flooring without leaving a streak or dulling flooring residue. The cleaner provides a triple-action poly shield that provides streak-free clean and also prevents the soil from attaching to the vinyl flooring surface.

To restore and maintain a vinyl shiny attractive look you just need to spray it on the floor and wipe away, No rinsing is required. If you looking for value for money and a safe cleaner for your vinyl, this may be a good choice for you.

3. Murphy oil soap

MURPHY OIL SOAP Wood Cleaner, Original, Concentrated Formula, Floor Cleaner, Multi-Use Wood Cleaner, Finished Surface

Murphy oils is a 98% natural plant-based made ingredient that leaves your wood flooring looking gorgeous. The oil should always be diluted before use as per the manufacturer's instructions for optimal cleaning results.

Once cleaned the Murphy oil leaves your floor clean and moisturized with no filmy oil mess. It is a great healthy and very low residue cleaner for your hardwood floors. Murphy Oil is designed for finished wood and non-wood surfaces.

Can I use Murphy's Oil Soap on luxury vinyl floors? Yes-Murphy Oil is a great choice for vinyl floor cleaning since it's clear and 98% derived from natural ingredients.

How do Deep Clean Tough Stains on Vinyl Floors

Tough stains like lipstick, crayons, paints, ink, etc may be cleaned by applying alcohol on the spot. Scrub the spot with a soft bristle brush to completely remove the stain. If the stain is from nail polish, consider using nail polish remover and wipe it dry with a clean soft cloth or microfiber. Don't be tempted to use steel wool or abrasive brushes, they can scratch

What Causes Vinyl Discoloration?

Water moisture is the biggest enemy to vinyl flooring. If your floor was improperly installed or has no moisture barrier it can allow water moisture to seep into the core of vinyl flooring. This will lead to discoloration. In addition, black stains may appear below the vinyl flooring surface as a result of water damage.

Tips to Maintain your Vinyl Flooring

Have a doormat.

It helps in preventing dirt particles and chemicals from getting on your floor. Grit acts like sandpaper, scratching and removing your floor finish. Chemicals stuck on your shoes may cause yellowing and fading of your vinyl flooring

Always sweep frequently.

Quick sweeping or running a soft broom across your floor every day will keep your vinyl floor in great shape.

Mop your floor.

Mix a few drops of shampoo with a gallon of warm water. Wring and Mop your vinyl floor with damp cloth or mop.

Avoid using excess or heavy-duty cleaners.

Always use mildest possible cleaners to remove dirt and can't be swept or removed by vacuum cleaners. Avoid excess water just ensure your mop or cloth is damp

Furniture pads.

Fit your furniture and floor appliance with protective feet pads.

Avoid steam mops when cleaning vinyl floors.

Avoid steam mop cleaning on your vinyl flooring

Not all products are pet and kids friendly

Ensure you check the product's ingredients before using it especially if you have a family and pets. Consider natural products as much as possible, they are Eco-friendly to kids, pets, and the whole family. However, ensure you get rid of any pet messes on your vinyl flooring

Trim your pet nails regularly

Always lift your furniture rather than dragging, pilling or pushing it, even if they have soft pads.

Avoid sharp pointed shoes, soft soiled may be a good choice for you. Avoid applying furniture polish