Luxury Vinyl Plank (LVP) stands out as an exceptionally durable flooring option, but maintaining its aesthetic appeal requires proactive care. The protective coating on the tiles is susceptible to scratching from loose dirt, underscoring the importance of regular cleaning. Incorporating a swift sweep into your nightly cleaning routine is crucial to extending the lifespan of your floors. When a more thorough cleaning is in order for your home, follow these safe steps to deep clean your Luxury Vinyl Plank flooring.
DRY MOPS FOR DAY TO DAY CLEANING
Before introducing water to your floors, ensure that you’ve eliminated as much dust and debris as possible using a dry microfiber mop or a vacuum cleaner. Similar to laminate flooring, it’s essential to minimize the water used on the vinyl plank. If water infiltrates between the planks, it could lead to tile curling, loosened glue, or even mold in the subfloor.
Even if you possess one of the many waterproof Luxury Vinyl Planks (LVPs), exercising caution with water remains prudent. Ideally, water should only be employed to tackle persistent dried residue once the majority of dirt and dander has been removed.
Dry microfiber mops excel at eliminating dust in corners and low-traffic areas, such as beneath tables and floor lamps. Sweep the mop in an S-pattern without retracing your strokes to maximize effectiveness.
Traditional brooms and dustpans are suitable for cleaning vinyl plank or vinyl tile floors. Brooms efficiently handle larger debris, like apple peels that may have escaped during your baking project, but they are less effective against smaller particles such as flour.
While these tiny particles might seem innocuous, they can inflict considerable damage to your floor’s polyurethane coating if spread around by shoes, slippers, or a wet mop.
CAN YOU VACUUM LUXURY VINYL PLANK?
Another alternative for daily dust removal is a vacuum cleaner. Indeed, you can safely operate a vacuum cleaner on vinyl, but it must be specifically designed for hard floor use.
Opt for lightweight vacuum cleaners, particularly those equipped with rubber or felt wheels to prevent leaving marks. Numerous stick and canister vacuums available in the market are designed with these floor-friendly features.
In the case of using an upright vacuum, ensure that it includes a hard floor setting that either raises the “beater bar” out of the way or provides the option to manually remove the bar entirely. The beater bar, the rotating brush responsible for neatly sweeping hair out of carpets, can, unfortunately, mar the finish on your vinyl.
HOW DO YOU DEEP CLEAN GRIME FROM VINYL?
After eliminating the prominent dust and dander from your floor, employ water and a cleaning solution to tackle the persistent grime. You might discover that, post-vacuuming, your floors are already quite clean, making a targeted manual approach the most effective way to address the remaining dirty spots.
Keep in mind that the objective is to minimize the amount of water used on your floor. Utilizing warm water along with a small amount of dish detergent on terrycloth is an effective strategy for combating stubborn, unpleasant spots, especially when coupled with some elbow grease.
CAN YOU WET MOP LVP FLOORING?
You can use warm water for wet mopping on LVP flooring, but be cautious not to oversaturate the floor. If opting for a wet mop, a microfiber flip mop or spin mop is the safest choice. Ensure you use a fresh cleaning pad, different from the one used for dusting. Avoid using a sponge mop with an abrasive scratch pad.
For the safest cleaning product on vinyl floors, a simple solution of one part white vinegar to five parts filtered water is effective and cost-efficient. Alternatively, you can use a product specifically designed for LVP flooring, but always follow up with a fresh mop head for rinsing, even if the product claims to be “no-rinse.” Excessive use of soap on your floors can lead to buildup, trapping abrasive dirt particles and diminishing shine quickly.
IS IT SAFE TO USE A STEAM MOP ON VINYL PLANK FLOORING?
Quick, efficient, and compact, steam mops are a favored tool among many homemakers. However, the question arises: Are they genuinely safe for the longevity of your floor?
The majority of experts strongly advise against using steam mops on floors. These mops drive moisture down between the planks, a practice that should be avoided. This can weaken the adhesive on glued floors, leading to warping or, in more severe cases, mold growth. Most LVP manufacturers explicitly discourage the use of steam mops on their products.
Despite this, there is a counterargument in favor of steam mops. Advocates contend that these mops apply such a small amount of water compared to traditional mops that occasional use may be deemed safe or even preferable.
If you opt to use a steam mop, it is recommended to use it on a hot setting to facilitate rapid water evaporation. However, it should not be used too frequently, and prolonged application on any one spot should be avoided.
Before using a steam mop, it’s crucial to check the manufacturer’s recommendations for your specific flooring product. Voiding a warranty due to improper care is a situation you’d want to avoid.
DO I NEED TO WAX LVP FLOORS?counterargument
No need to go further! One of the advantages of luxury vinyl plank is its inherent beauty that persists even without the application of wax. In fact, using wax on a floor that isn’t meant for it will only result in unwanted buildup, diminishing its shine.
Here are some extra tips to maintain the pristine appearance of your freshly cleaned LVP floor and keep it looking new and stunning.
DOs AND DONT’s OF LVP CARE
- Clean regularly; preventive care is key to avoiding the need for intensive cleaning with scrub brushes or harsh cleaning agents.
- Quickly wipe up spills to prevent them from drying and hardening, minimizing the need for more aggressive cleaning methods.
- Use a vacuum equipped with a high-quality HEPA filter to avoid blowing dust and allergens back onto your floor.
- If you have a house cleaner, inform them about your LVP floors and request the use of your preferred products and tools.
- Apply felt tips to furniture legs and avoid sliding, dragging, or rolling furniture to prevent damage to your floor.
- Avoid using harsh detergents, ammonia, or combined cleaning and wax products. Also, steer clear of wool or abrasive brushes.
- Keep shoes outside to maintain clean and scuff-free floors; it’s a fundamental rule for floor care.
- When installing new LVP floors, purchase an extra box of material. This way, if one plank is torn or damaged, you can easily replace it with a fresh one.
