Choosing the right cleaning product for your flooring is one of the most important decisions you will make. This blog post goes over how to mop vinyl plank flooring in a way that is safe and effective.
You’ll learn about different types of cleaners, their pros and cons, and which ones are best suited for vinyl plank flooring.
The key to making sure you clean with an appropriate cleaner is knowing what type of floor surface it’s made out of, what kind of dirt it accumulates easily (dust or pet hair), how much foot traffic passes through on a daily basis, and other factors specific to your home.
Vinyl plank floors can be hard to keep looking good without some extra help from certain products designed specifically for this type. So, let us discuss how to clean the vinyl floor?
What to Know About Cleaning Luxury Vinyl Floors?
Using Vinegar to Clean Vinyl Floor
Do you have vinyl flooring in your home? If so, good news! Apple cider vinegar is a great way to keep it clean and shiny. Vinegar has two benefits for this type of surface: It’s acidic enough that it can remove dirt without leaving any residue behind as soap does; also, the acid doesn’t dull or damage the finish.
Make sure not to use full-strength vinegar on your floors-it will do more harm than good by stripping away protective coatings from surfaces as well as damaging delicate finishes such as those found on polished wood floors.
To make a simple, natural, and inexpensive homemade floor cleaner that will disinfect as well as clean your floors all you have to do is mix 1 cup of apple cider vinegar with one gallon of water.
Then just use it like any other mop or sponge for cleaning up dirt from the ground! To avoid streaks on hardwood floors be sure to frequently rinse out your rag in some hot water while working.
You know your floors are tough to clean when you’ve got grime caked into the seams and corners. But there is no need for heavy-duty chemicals or scrubbing, just pour a gallon of water on the floor, add half a cup of white vinegar and one teaspoon of dish soap per quart of water; mix together in a bucket with an old towel like this (demonstration).
Then using that mixture as a cleaning solution mop around until all parts have been covered–just be sure not to leave any streaks!
Finally, go back over it again with only plain distilled water so that the shiny finish you were going for can finally shine through those grimy cracks after they’ve soaked up enough liquid.
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Keep pH Neutral Cleaners
Vinyl floors are not as tough and resilient to chemicals as other types of flooring. When cleaning your vinyl, it’s important that you avoid abrasive cleaners such as bleach or ammonia because they can damage the surface over time.
One option is a solution made from an ounce of mild dishwashing soap in a gallon of water which will clean without scratching up any dirt particles on their way down into the fibers below for easy removal later with just some minor scrubbing.
No one wants to deal with a floor that looks like it was in the middle of a mudslide. But, if you have vinyl floors and want them to look their best for years to come, here are some tips on how to keep your hard surface clean.
When mopping always use microfiber over string mops as they don’t leave marks or scratches behind when wiping down surfaces; wring out excess water from dry cloths before using so there is no chance left-over spots could damage your floor because of moisture accumulation, don’t forget about gentle rinses after cleaning fluids – this is where dishwashing soap can be helpful! You’ll need something stronger than just bleach though (as strong chemicals will wear away at the material.
Some people will put hydrogen peroxide on a cotton ball and dab it onto the stain to get rid of all that dirt. Others might use rubbing alcohol, lime juice, or dish soap for their vinyl flooring needs as well.
Does Vinyl Plank Floor Need Wax?
Luxury vinyl flooring is made out of the highest quality materials, but it still needs to be properly cared for. Waxes are often used as a protective coating in order to ensure that they don’t scuff up and crack over time; however, luxury vinyl doesn’t require any type of wax application because its surface has already been treated during production with an acrylic finish which helps protect against wear and tear.
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If you want your floors to look their absolute best, we recommend applying an additional layer or two of this substance before using your preferred buffing tool on the floors (a carnauba-based product will not work).
Many people love the look of an acrylic finish, but this may not be a viable option for everyone. Acrylic finishes are liquid-based substances that can either be applied with a mop and bucket or sprayed onto your flooring.
They’re typically recommended when you need extra protection against scuffing or scratching because they coat more deeply than other types of sealants do.
The benefits don’t stop there; many manufacturers claim that applying an acrylic finish will also add shine to your floors while making them last longer.
If you’re looking for a floor with an acrylic finish, be sure not to use high-speed burnishers on the surface. This can cause layers of your luxury vinyl plank floors to wear layer and even damage it over time which will ruin your investment in these beautiful floors. Low-speed buffing is best when polishing and shining up your new purchase.
Preventing Dirt and Damage on Floor
The first step is to try minimizing dirt, stains, and abrasions before they occur. Over time, grit can wear down any type of flooring- including vinyl tiles or laminate; therefore, it’s always a good idea to situate a good quality doormat in front of doorways so that you don’t get grime migrating into your house.
Related Post: What is the Best Steam Mop for Laminate Floor in 2022?
The easiest way to protect your vinyl flooring is by using something that’s pretty common in our society: a sheet of plywood or paneling.
Place the board on top of furniture as it moves across the ground, and you’ll be able to keep scuff marks from happening. Next time you’re moving heavy pieces into position, grab some coasters for under each leg so there are no permanent indentations left behind.
How to Fix Scratches and Scuffs?
If you have a small mark on your floors, such as some light scuffs or scratches, then don’t worry. You can buff the area with either an electric buffer or just by hand for easy removal of any problems that might be there.
However, if it is something larger and more visible like say a bigger scratch then consider using vinyl floor sealer after washing to hide the problem until you are ready for permanent repair work which could take place in one day’s time.
For those who really want their floors to look spotless try spicing up a tennis ball at end of the stick and rubbing over the problem areas but make sure not to press hard because this will damage surfaces instead of continuing gently rubbing till all disappears.
Repairing the scratches, gouges, and dents on your vinyl floors is an easy process. If you have a deep scratch or dent in your floorboards due to something that’s rubbed back-and-forth over it for too long such as a chair leg rubbing against one spot of the plank repeatedly, replacing these damaged pieces with new ones can sometimes be more cost-effective
FAQs Related to How to Mop Vinyl Plank Flooring?
Conclusion
The best way to clean vinyl plank flooring is with a mop. You should avoid using cleaners that are too harsh and make sure you use as little water as possible so your floors don’t get damaged.
In addition, if there are any stains or dirt on the surface of the planks, it would be wise to scrub them before mopping so they can be removed more easily.
Do we hope this blog has helped you learn how to mop vinyl plank flooring? If you have any other questions, please leave a comment.
For more information about cleaning check other blog posts on our website.