Vinyl flooring is very durable, which means it’s a long-lasting material even in high traffic homes. However, it’s easy to keep your vinyl floor looking attractive as long as you have it. Just use our easy cleaning tips to make sure your vinyl is clean and properly cared for.
Sweep or Vacuum First
Always sweep or vacuum vinyl flooring before mopping or hand washing. This will prevent mud forming on your vinyl floor. If you do decide to vacuum, don’t use the “beater bar.” This attachment could potentially damage the vinyl floor.
Mopping Your Vinyl
Mix together equal parts apple cider vinegar and warm water in a bucket. (Most of the time white vinegar is used for cleaning. However, when it comes to cleaning floors, apple cider vinegar is used as it won’t dull the finish on your floors.) Dunk a mop into the bucket and wash your floor in an up-and-down or side-to-side motion. This will remove dirt and grime, and will also clean without leaving soap buildup on your floors. Stay off of the flooring until it has dried.
If you want to add extra sheen, add a few drops of baby oil to your vinegar-water solution before mopping. Adding baby oil to the water will make your vinyl flooring shine bright.
Remove Stains
Whether it’s a mustard stain or grape juice splotch, baking soda is here to save the day. Make a paste with baking soda and warm water. Apply the paste to the stain and scrub with a nylon-bristle brush until the stain is no longer there. Wipe clean with a cloth once the stain is removed.
If a stain is more stubborn, then you might need something stronger than baking soda. Rubbing alcohol will remove tougher stains like permanent marker, paint, nail polish, or lipstick. Apply the rubbing alcohol to a cloth or cotton ball and rub the stain until it has lifted. Wipe clean with a damp cloth and dry.
Ammonia on Vinyl
Do not use ammonia on vinyl. It can leave the surface looking dull or even cause your vinyl to crack in which case you might need to replace it.
Now You Have Clean Vinyl Flooring Again
Dirty vinyl floors are no match for these cleaning tips. Without grease and dirt, your vinyl floors will be spotless and shining.
I had no idea that you can remove stains from vinyl flooring by using a combination of baking soda and warm water to scrub the surface with. My wife and I have been looking for some durable flooring to add to our kitchen, but we are worried that we may accidentally spill food when we are cooking dinner for our son every night. We’ll be sure to learn how to maintain our vinyl floors once we get them installed.
Hi Eli,
Vinyl flooring is a durable choice. On top of that, baking soda and warm water will surely remove stains. Our articles will help when it comes to cleaning your floors. Make sure to check our website out to stay updated on the tips and tricks. Thank you for your feedback.