When it comes to choosing the right flooring for your home, your first thought is likely that hardwood flooring is best. While it’s true that hardwood will add value to your home, it’s often prohibitively expensive.
Luxury vinyl plank flooring mimics hardwood and costs far less than even the cheapest wood floors. Even better, it’s far more durable than traditional vinyl flooring. With regular care and maintenance, it can last as long as 25 years.
The key to extending the lifespan of your home’s flooring lies in staying on top of routine cleaning. Believe it or not, cleaning vinyl plank flooring is easier than you think.
Here are a few simple steps to follow once you have your floors in place.
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Sweep Daily
The best way to stay on top of your vinyl floor cleaning routine is to get in the habit of sweeping the floors each day. You’ll want to do this in each room that sees lots of foot traffic and anywhere that food, dirt, or debris might collect.
All you need is a soft-bristled broom and a dustpan. Keep these handy and sweep up when you’re done using the room.
As long as you sweep often, you’ll keep the buildup of dust and grime from getting too severe. This will save you time in the long run and makes keeping your home cleaner easier.
Vacuum Weekly
Sweeping is the best way to keep dirt and debris from spreading throughout your house. However, it’s not enough to get all of the grime up from your luxury vinyl plank flooring.
Remember, dust and dirt can wedge itself in the small spaces between planks. The only way to get that grime up is to use your vacuum. That said, you don’t have to vacuum every day.
Make a point to vacuum at least once a week and you’ll be able to keep your floors clean throughout the year.
Mop Occasionally
Sometimes, sweeping and vacuuming aren’t enough to get rid of dust and dirt on your floors. If you find yourself staring at a few planks that just look dirtier than the others, don’t panic. Grab your mop and get to work.
When cleaning vinyl plank flooring, all you need is a soft mop and some warm, soapy water. Try to use a soap that’s residue-free to keep your floors looking great. If the finish on your planks looks dull, you can mop the floors with a diluted white vinegar and water solution.
Avoid Using Abrasive Cleaners
One of the first things you’ll learn about luxury vinyl plank flooring is that it’s one of the most durable flooring materials on the market. That doesn’t mean it’s indestructible.
Vinyl floors can still get scratched if you use the wrong type of vinyl floor cleaner, mop, broom, or scrub brush.
Be careful about the types of cleaners and tools you use on your floors. Remember, it’s always better to put a bit of elbow grease into getting buildup off your floors than it is to use a stronger cleaning agent or stiffer brush.
Once the floors get scratched, you’ll either have to buff out the scratches or replace the damaged flooring.
Never Steam Your Floors
Steam cleaning may be a great way to clean carpets, tile, and other types of floors. Unfortunately, it’s one of the best ways to ruin your luxury vinyl plank flooring. The steam can ruin the adhesive between the layers of the planks.
Once this happens, you’ll notice warping along the surface and may see layers start to peel up. That warping will make your floors look less pristine and beautiful, but it will also create tripping hazards throughout your house.
If you’re not able to get the dirt off on your own, the best thing you can do is contact an experienced house cleaner or flooring professional. They’ll be able to get rid of buildup safely without damaging your flooring.
Spot Clean Stains as Needed
Spills happen all the time. If you’re not careful, those spills can easily turn into stains, soaking into the planks and leaving you with a floor that doesn’t look as great as you want it to.
As soon as you notice a spill, wipe it up and give the spot a quick hand mopping with soapy water. The sooner you can pick up the spill, the less likely it is to cause a long-lasting stain.
Avoid Floor Wax at All Costs
If you’re looking for low-maintenance flooring, vinyl planking is your best option. It doesn’t need tons of upkeep beyond regular cleaning and never needs waxing like other flooring options.
In fact, adding floor wax can ruin the finish and look of your planks. If they start to look dull or you’re noticing more scratches, use a vinyl-safe acrylic finish.
The finish will restore the shine you expect your floors to have while also protecting them from the most common types of damage.
Don’t Be Afraid to Replace Damaged Planks
The more traffic your floors see, the more damage they’ll experience. Unfortunately, scratches and dents can make even the cleanest floors look dirty.
Don’t be afraid to replace your damaged planks with new ones if the damage is too extensive. Talk to your flooring supply store and let them know what type of floor you have in place. They’ll be able to find the right color and style match to make the replacement seamless.
Cleaning Vinyl Plank Flooring Is Simple
Keeping your floors clean and looking great is easier than you think. Follow these tips for cleaning vinyl plank flooring and you’ll be able to keep your floors looking like new for years to come.
The nicer your floors look, the more value they’ll add to your property and the more confident you’ll feel in showing off your house.
Keeping your floors clean is just one part of maintaining your house. Check out our latest posts for more advice on how to keep your home in great shape.
