Best ways to clean vinyl flooring - the dos and don’ts to consider if you have vinyl in your home

Cleaning is key to good-looking floors year-round. However, different flooring types have different cleaning requirements and may need specific products. That's why it’s important to understand the best ways to clean vinyl flooring to keep it looking its best.

Of course, there are many flooring ideas out there, but vinyl is an extremely popular choice for those looking for an attractive, hard-wearing and durable option that’s easy to lay yourself. It’s also extremely versatile, offering homeowners and renters alike the chance to lay everything from colourful vinyl tiles to wood-effect planks. You'll need to care for vinyl to get the most out of it, though - and this includes regular cleaning.

As Liam Cleverdon, Flooring Trends Expert at Flooring King, explains, ‘Understanding how to clean vinyl correctly is vital for ensuring the cleanliness and longevity of the floor.’

1. Start by giving it a vacuum

No matter your flooring type, vacuuming is always a good first step. Whether you’re cleaning carpet, floor tiles or vinyl flooring, one of the best vacuum cleaners can come in extremely handy.

Paul Hambidge, Managing Director at Factory Direct Flooring, advises, ‘Run a vacuum cleaner over your vinyl floor to remove as much dust and debris as you can.’ This will ensure you can move on to the next steps without anything getting in the way.

If you can, opt for a vacuum cleaner that has a dedicated cleaning head for hard floors to prevent scratches and dirt build-up.

2. Give it a mop

With any type of hard flooring, it’s well worth having one of the best mops at your disposal. When you’ve removed large debris from your vinyl flooring with your vacuum cleaner, you can then give it a mop to sanitise it and get into the smaller nooks and crannies.

For this step, Paul suggests using a mixture of mild detergent with water. He says, ‘In fact, during an experiment we commissioned, we found this method cut bacteria on vinyl floors by 97% on average.’

And while you can mop your vinyl flooring in any way that works for you, Paul advises everyone to follow a specific technique for the best results. ‘Using a well-wrung-out mop, begin mopping at the edges of the room and work your way to the middle, moving the mop in a figure-of-eight but keeping contact with one side of the mop before flipping it over,’ he says. ‘When you can see the mop head is dirty, rinse it in clean water before repeating the process. When you're finished, use a soft towel to completely dry your floor.’

This last part is crucial, as you want to stop your vinyl from getting too wet during cleaning. If moisture gets into the cracks and seams, it can cause the vinyl to curl or create bumps. This can cheapen the overall look and even be a trip hazard.

3. Make it shine with white vinegar

If you want to bring back the shine of your vinyl flooring - or you just want to ensure that it’s as clean as possible - you can then switch up your solution of water and detergent for a mixture of water and white vinegar.

Paul explains, ‘Using a mix of white vinegar and water is particularly effective for cleaning vinyl floors. Our experiment showed this method cut germs on vinyl by 94%. It also means you're using fewer chemicals in your cleaning routine, and it's pretty cheap too. Not only that, white vinegar is also great for achieving a gleaming finish since it never leaves smudges or marks.’

Once again, though, you must rinse with clean water and dry your vinyl floor after cleaning with vinegar to remove any leftover residue or moisture.

4. Tackle tougher stains

If the above steps haven’t been enough to tackle ingrained dirt on vinyl, you can add another step into the mix. That includes using baking soda - also called bicarbonate of soda - to tackle these tougher stains.

While there are many things you should never clean with bicarbonate of soda, vinyl isn’t one of them. You should use this sparingly, though.

Paul warns, ‘For tougher stains on vinyl, you can occasionally try bicarbonate of soda mixed with warm water. But don't rely on this as your regular, go-to cleaning method for vinyl floors. That's because it can damage the clear layer that protects vinyl flooring and make it appear 'cloudy.’

If you’re looking for another way to really get into the nitty gritty of your vinyl flooring, Florring King's Liam Cleverdon has another option. He says, ‘Rubbing alcohol and a soft-bristle brush is effective for targeting tough stains such as ink, paints, or lipstick marks - however, it’s crucial to avoid brushing too hard, as this can damage the floor, leaving behind scratch marks.’

5. Repeat the process

By utilising all of the best ways to clean vinyl flooring, you should be left with clean, shining floors. But this isn’t a one-stop shop, and you need to repeat the process regularly if you want to maintain this cleanliness.

Cleaning vinyl floors in high-traffic areas should be a part of your daily cleaning schedule, but every few days should be enough in lower-traffic areas. Make sure you complete this cleaning schedule in the right order, though.

Paul says, ‘Make sure that when you're cleaning your home, you tackle your flooring last. That's because when you're cleaning around light fixtures and other furniture, some of the dust and debris from those surfaces will inevitably land on your floor, so clean your floor last.’

And while it may be easy to grab the chemicals in your cleaning cupboard to clean your floors, Liam advises against this. ‘Opting for natural products is a much safer alternative to potentially damaging cleaners,’ he says. ‘Before using any product, it’s best to check its suitability for the particular flooring type. This can prevent any damage and ensure the floor remains in top condition.’

FAQs

What can ruin vinyl flooring?

Many things can ruin vinyl flooring. These include:

• Prolonged exposure to moisture.
• Prolonged exposure to sunlight.
• Strong chemical cleaners.
• A large build-up of dust.
• Fabric conditioner.
• Heavy furniture.

Can I use a steam mop on vinyl floors?

No, you should avoid using a steam mop on vinyl floors. That’s because vinyl flooring cannot cope with the excessive heat and moisture that comes from this appliance, and a steam mop can cause irreparable damage to it.

For starters, steam and heat can cause the vinyl to warp and bubble which will ruin the aesthetic and create a trip hazard. Alongside this, the excess moisture can also lead to mould and mildew growth, which is virtually impossible to remove.

Because of this, you should focus on using a vacuum cleaner followed by a non-steam mop to clean vinyl flooring.