How to Clean Vinyl Floors in 4 Easy Steps

Keeping your floors looking fresh isn’t an easy task in a busy home, so we’ve compiled a guide on how to clean vinyl floors in 4 easy steps. While vinyl is known for being affordable, durable and low maintenance, there are still a few top tips you should know to make caring for your floor a breeze.

Before we start, let’s run through what vinyl flooring is, so you can understand how best to look after it.

What is Vinyl Flooring?

Vinyl is a durable flooring made from several compacted layers of synthetic materials. The end result is a floor that looks like real tiles or wood without containing any wood at all, meaning it can withstand moisture far better.

You can find vinyl flooring in all styles, colours and textures, making it suited to just about any home decor. The new Karndean range available at Colourbank is an effortless way to add a touch of style to any room.

One of vinyl’s best features is how simple it is to care for, so let’s cover how to clean vinyl floors with our straightforward guide.

Step 1: Choose Your Vinyl Floor Cleaning Products

You need to avoid certain chemicals with vinyl floors, so check all labels before buying or using certain products. Generally, warm water and washing-up liquid are all you need to keep your floor looking top-notch.

While vinyl is relatively stain-resistant, you can use bicarbonate of soda to treat stubborn stains, but more on this later. It’s essential to avoid any abrasive scourers, like wire wool or brooms with coarse bristles, as these can leave scratches and dull the surface.

Step 2: Remove Dust and Debris

We all know how quickly our floors accumulate dust and debris, so clearing it away is the number 1 priority for vinyl flooring. Otherwise, the particles can scrape across the surface, leaving scuffs and scratches.

A soft-bristled broom or a vacuum cleaner without a rotating brush bar is ideal for this job. You want a vacuum that’s gentle on the surface, which rotating brush bars aren’t. If your vacuum has a powered brush bar, turn it off to prevent unsightly scuff marks.

Step 3: Mop as Necessary

If you keep on top of dust and dirt, you shouldn’t need to mop your vinyl floors too often. Once every week or two is more than enough.

When it’s time to mop, ensure your mop is damp rather than wet. Although vinyl can withstand moisture, liquids sitting on the surface for too long can cause staining. It’s also possible for moisture to seep through the joints and damage lower layers, so stick to using a damp mop and your chosen floor cleaner.

Step 4: Tackle Stains

They say prevention is better than cure, so clearing up any spills as soon as they happen is the best way to tackle stains on vinyl flooring. Any liquid left to puddle will eventually soak through vinyl, leaving spots and stains.

If you need to remove stains, warm water and soap should tackle most of them. For tougher marks, you can make your own vinyl floor cleaning products. Simply mix a little bicarbonate of soda with water to create a paste and apply it with a soft cloth. Gently rub the stain to erase it before rinsing with clean water and drying the area afterwards.

If you want to use shop-bought cleaners, always check the label on any vinyl floor cleaning products to ensure they’re compatible with your floor.

Can You Steam Clean Vinyl Flooring?

We’ve purposely left steam cleaning out of our guide on how to clean vinyl floors because it’s not a suitable technique. The intense heat and high moisture levels from continued steaming can cause damage to vinyl flooring, such as peeling layers, dulling and discolouration.

Even though the steam evaporates fairly quickly, water will still work through cracks and seals. Avoid steam cleaning to prevent shortening the lifespan of your vinyl flooring.

Key Takeaways

Vinyl floors are affordable, attractive and durable. They’re also easy to clean if you follow our guide on how to clean vinyl floors in 4 easy steps.

At Colourbank, we can advise you on the best vinyl floors for your home and provide a quick fitting service to get your home looking fresh in a flash.

Visit our Leicester superstores or contact us today to find out more.