How to take care of Vinyl flooring? Flooring is one of the most important aspects of a room. The material you choose can set the tone for your entire space and affect both the aesthetic and functionality of your rooms.
Flooring ranges from hardwood, carpet to tiles, and vinyl flooring has become very popular. It does not make the floor as warm as carpet, but it looks closer to real wood than any other material, making it an ideal choice for modern homes with high barefoot traffic or young children who love playing on floors.
This article will teach you how to take care of vinyl flooring to look great and last longer.
Table of Contents
Below are some useful tips:
1. Cleaning Vinyl Floor
It would help if you swept up all loose dirt and debris that has collected on the floor. Use a dry mop or a microfiber towel to wipe away liquid spills and greasy dirt from vinyl floors. Scrub stubborn stains with a cleaner containing mild detergent before rinsing thoroughly with clean water.
2. How often should you clean vinyl Floor?
It would help if you swept your floor daily using a dust mop to remove all loose dirt, debris, and fine grit that may have accumulated. You can also use a vacuum cleaner for this purpose, but it is advisable not to use the beater bar brush since it will scratch your floor.
Do not wet-wipe any unsealed floors because they are porous and absorb moisture which could cause damage over time. Also, do not forget to check whether you need to reseal your floor before cleaning.
3. How to clean stains on Vinyl Floors?
When you spill or drop any food or drink on the floor, wipe it up immediately with a dry cloth before the spill dries completely. Blot away any excess liquid using absorbent towels and allow the area to air dry.
Once the surface has completely dried, use a scrub broom or brush with soap and water to remove all stains, including chewing gum, crayon marks, etc. You can also use a diluted hydrogen peroxide solution mixed with warm water as an effective cleaner for tile floors, particularly vinyl.
Apply this solution directly to the stained area and spread it evenly over about one square foot to cover all the affected areas. Then use a fresh cloth or sponge to wipe up the cleaner and follow it with a detergent solution.
4. Using Stripper on Vinyl Floor
The vinyl floor is generally covered with a sealant that prevents moisture from seeping into the material. This also protects against stains, and stains can be easily removed using mild soap water, hydrogen peroxide solution, or any other vinyl cleaning agent.
Stubborn stains should be removed using strippers like methylene chloride or trichloroethylene available at your local hardware store. Use them only as directed because these chemicals are very strong and could cause damage if used in excess.
Do not forget to wear protective gear like rubber gloves, goggles, etc. you start anything because these agents are very strong and harmful.
5. How to Clean the Vinyl floor with wax?
If you need to wax your vinyl floors, strip the old wax with a chemical remover before reapplying fresh coats of wax. You can also hire professional cleaners for this task since they have special equipment and chemicals which would be difficult for you to handle at home.
6. What is Polymer Sealant?
Vinyl floors are usually covered with sealants that protect the material from damage due to moisture penetration. If you spill any liquid on your floor, wipe it immediately using a dry cloth because liquids could seep into crevices if not removed quickly enough.
The most commonly used polymer sealants are oil-based, but these are likely to darken the surface of the flooring over time. The newer water-based sealants are easier to apply, and they also come in clear finishes that do not darken the surface of your vinyl floors.
7. How often should you reseal Vinyl Floor?
You should check with the manufacturer for further information on how often you need to reseal your vinyl floor. Generally, it is recommended that you apply at least two coats every five years or as necessary to maintain the shine.
You can ask professional cleaners if they would recommend an alternative method for sealing your floor.
8. Prevent Staining of Vinyl Floors, especially in kitchens
If you have light-colored vinyl floors like white or cream, stains could be easily seen. Therefore, you should take extra care while washing dishes to prevent any food or chemical spills on the floor. Using vinyl cleaners regularly will also prevent staining and discoloration.
9. How to Clean Vinyl Floors with Vinegar?
Vinegar is an excellent cleaner for vinyl floors, but you should dilute it with equal amounts of water before using it as a solution to wipe the floor with.
You can also try vinegar-based solutions like this one: two cups of white distilled vinegar, one cup of warm water, 1/2 teaspoon liquid dish soap, and five drops of lavender oil for fragrance.
10. Waxing your Vinyl Floor Waxing
If you have just installed new vinyl flooring in your home, applying fresh coats of wax will protect the floor from damage. Waxing also makes your vinyl floor shine and enhances its appearance.
If you consider waxing your vinyl floors, hire a professional cleaner to do the job since it requires special equipment and skills.
11. How much does it cost to have Vinyl Floor Waxed?
The price of this service depends on several factors like length of hallway or staircases, amount of work involved in stripping off old wax, size of the area to be covered, etc. You can ask for several cleaners’ estimates or use online services that compare prices by zip code.
The average cost is about $1-$2 per square foot, depending upon whether you need a high gloss finish that costs more or a matte look which is less expensive.
12. What are the methods to clean Vinyl Flooring?
Several methods for cleaning vinyl flooring are available, including vacuuming, mopping, wet scrubbing, and use of chemicals. These simple methods will tell you how to take care of Vinyl flooring.
Vacuuming is the easiest method because it does not require you to take any special precautions or use harsh chemicals. The vacuum cleaner can be used on dry surfaces, but you should avoid using water or moist solutions on your floors since that could cause damage.
Use a steam mop to disinfect your vinyl flooring without causing discoloration. If your floor has white grout lines, you should keep them separate while cleaning with this method because if the colors get mixed up, it might be difficult to match them later when repainting grout lines.
13. What products are required to Clean Vinyl Flooring?
To clean vinyl flooring, you need a bucket of warm water, mild soap solution or vinegar-based cleaner, a squeegee mop for cleaning wet floors, small scrub brush. It would help if you always went for cleaners specifically meant for use on vinyl flooring since they are specially formulated to avoid damage.
14. How do I get rid of scratches on my Vinyl Floor?
If your floor has deep scratches, then it is possible that the top layer has peeled off, and there might be discoloration as well.
In such situations hiring a professional cleaner is recommended because it involves special techniques like sanding down the surface and making the necessary repairs before applying fresh coats of wax. If you try to repair these scratches at home, there is a risk of worsening the damage.
Conclusion
How to take care of Vinyl flooring? Vinyl flooring has made a significant advancement in product appearance and durability. As times change and fashions evolve, this type of flooring expense will continue to decrease, and its reputation for easy care and maintenance will increase.