Vinyl flooring is a popular choice for many homeowners. It’s an inexpensive option with a durable nature that looks great in most homes. Even though it can withstand lots of foot traffic, spills, and other activity, it’s still important to clean your vinyl flooring regularly to maintain and help it last as long as possible. Whether you’re looking for the best ways to clean stained vinyl floors, or how to deep clean vinyl floors, the expert team at SweepSouth has put together the best cleaning tips and methods.
When you’re on the search for the best vinyl floor cleaner, you have the option of using store-bought products or homemade cleaning solutions. Keep reading to find out how to get rid of dust, dirt, and stains to restore the shine you love to see on your floors.
Vinyl Floor Cleaning Tips
To achieve the best results when cleaning dirty vinyl flooring, there are a few tips and tricks to keep in mind. Take note of the following before starting your cleaning process:
- Use a doormat in the entrances and exits of your house to prevent your floors from getting dirty in the first place.
- Wipe up spills immediately to prevent stains from forming, which will ultimately make your cleaning jobs easier.
- Avoid paste wax polishes because over time they will begin to leave a film on your vinyl floor.
- Do not use steel wool or other abrasive cleaning tools to clean your floor as you could damage it.
- To have your vinyl floors looking their best, sweep them every 1-2 days and give them a more thorough cleaning once a week.
Cleaning Vinyl Floors
With these cleaning tips in mind, use the following steps to give your vinyl floors a thorough and restore their natural clean finish.
- Vacuum The Floors
To remove the top layer of dust and dirt, you’ll want to sweep or vacuum your floors, or use a combination of both. As we mentioned earlier, sweep your floors on a daily basis to get rid of small bits of hard dirt that are capable of scratching the floors when walked on.
- Create A Cleaning Solution
Finding a commercial vinyl floor cleaner shouldn’t be too difficult. If you’d prefer to create your own DIY solution, try one of the following two mixes:
- Apple cider vinegar & water: mix one cup of apple cider vinegar with a gallon of hot water. The acidity of the vinegar works well at breaking down and eliminating dirt.
- Add dishwashing liquid: if you’re giving your house and floors a deeper clean, add a few drops of dishwashing liquid to the vinegar and water mixture.
Tip: add a few drops of baby oil to the mixture above to leave your floor with a natural shine after cleaning.
- Mop Your Floors
Your next step in the process will be mopping with your chosen cleaning agent. Because vinyl is not completely waterproof, you’ll want to make sure that you aren’t drenching your floors with liquid. Wring the mop out as you go and use a different bucket with clean, hot water to rinse the mop whenever necessary. Empty that water if it’s getting dirty and refill it with fresh hot water whenever needed.
Tip: start at the back of the room and work your way forwards so that you don’t step on any clean areas.
- Rinse Your Floors
This is an important step in the process to avoid having a film of soap residue on your floor. Simply fill a bucket with clean water and use it to mop the floor. You can then either air-dry or fan-dry your floor, or use a cloth to go over it and give it a nice finish.
How To Remove Stains And Scuff Marks From Vinyl Floors
If you’ve got a tougher scuff mark or more stubborn stain that needs removing, sometimes the process above won’t be enough. Use the following cleaning methods to get rid of unwanted stains and marks:
- Scuff marks: apply some jojoba oil to a soft cloth and use it to rub the scuff marks until they’re no longer there.
- Thin stains: if you’re looking to remove stains from products such as wine, sauces, or juices, create a paste by mixing equal parts of water and baking soda together. Apply the paste to the stain and rub it out with a soft cloth.
- Thicker stains: for tougher and thicker stains like makeup, ink, or paint, apply some rubbing alcohol to the spot and use a soft-bristled brush to scrub it off. Use nail polish remover free of acetone to remove nail polish spills.
If you’re looking to clean laminate floors in your home, check out our post for the best tips and methods. If your busy schedule requires you to get help, a SweepStar will provide the best tile and floor cleaning you could hope for.