How to Clean Vinyl Flooring
Vinyl flooring’s affordability, durability and wide variety of finishes make it a popular flooring choice. While it’s very low maintenance, vinyl still needs the occasional deep clean. Learn how to clean vinyl flooring in this video by The Home Depot:
Round up the following tools and materials:
- Broom
- Floor duster
- Vacuum with hose attachment
- pH neutral floor cleaner
- Mop
- Cleaning cloths
- Melamine sponge
- Felt floor protectors
1. Clean dry floors: Remove any dirt and debris by sweeping or dusting the floor. If vacuuming, it’s best to use the hose attachment. For a thorough clean, remove all furniture from the room. If leaving furniture in the room, don’t forget to vacuum underneath it in corners and along baseboards. Avoid using a vacuum with a beater bar or rotary brush head as these may damage vinyl over time.
2. Mop and remove stains: Thoroughly mop using a pH neutral floor cleaner. Never use ammonia-based or highly abrasive cleaners on vinyl, as they may damage or dull the finish. To remove stubborn stains, try gently rubbing the area with a paste of baking soda and distilled water, then wipe the area clean using a damp cloth.
3. Buff out scuffs: If you notice scuffs from heavy foot traffic, try gently buffing them out with a melamine sponge. This should remove the marks without damaging the finish. Tip: Keep a few extra flooring planks after installation to repair major scuffs and scratches in the future.
4. Maintain the clean: Keep vinyl floors looking their best by placing felt floor protectors on heavy furniture legs, putting down rugs in high traffic areas, and sweeping on a regular basis. If moving furniture, use a dolly or slide it on an old blanket to prevent nicking the floor.
