It is better to vacuum LVP (luxury vinyl plank) flooring rather than sweep it. Unlike traditional brooms, vacuums can effectively remove dust, dirt, and debris from the floor's surface and grooves. Sweeping can push debris around, scratch the surface of the vinyl, and miss small particles hidden in the planks.
Yes, you can safely run a vacuum cleaner on vinyl – but only if it's designed for hard floor use. Lightweight vacuum cleaners are best, especially those with rubber or felt wheels that won't leave marks. There are several stick and canister vacuums on the market designed with these features.
Cleaning vinyl flooring
Dust and dirt gathers on smooth flooring faster than you'd expect. They can even end up scratching your flooring and causing stains. Using a broom to sweep away dirt is an easy and effective method for cleaning your luxury vinyl plank flooring.
The answer to that is yes. You can vacuum your vinyl floor, but you have to do it right. One of the reasons people have said you shouldn't vacuum vinyl floors is because of the scratches a big heavy plastic vacuum can leave behind. However, this is only true if you do not remove the beater bar from your vacuum.
If you have a large home with a lot of vinyl flooring , a corded vacuum cleaner is probably the best choice for you. However, if you have a small apartment or a home with only a few rooms with vinyl flooring , a cordless vacuum cleaner may be the better choice.
The three most suitable vacuum designs for vinyl plank floors are upright, stick, and robotic vacuums. Upright vacuums are versatile and resemble the traditional standing design found on most standard vacuums.
Swiffer wet cloths are designed to be used on most floor surfaces, such as: vinyl.
Avoid using ammonia-based cleaning solutions. Don't use bleach as an overall vinyl floor cleaner. Keep away from highly abrasive scrubbers or detergents on vinyl. They can damage the floor, causing cracks or scratches.
Mopping. While vinyl plank flooring is water-resistant, too much water can soak in and cause bubbling, warping or discoloration. If the mop is dripping wet, it'll be too much moisture for the planks. Lightly mist the mop with a spray bottle filled with water, and reapply as needed.
How often should you vacuum hard surfaces like tile or vinyl? Hard surfaces, including vinyl, ceramic tiles, stone, and laminate flooring, should be cleaned at least once per week. However, you should also sweep floors daily and mop periodically too.
Pine-Sol Multi-Surface Cleaner – Yes, Pine Sol on vinyl floors is a fine option; however, use sparingly with water. Do not oversaturate your vinyl floors with too much water, use just enough to disinfect the floors.
Add a bit of baking soda to your regular floor cleaner to help keep the vinyl fresh, smooth, and shiny. Applying a small amount of WD-40 lubricant is a safe way to remove any scratches or scuffs without damaging the vinyl. You can also use a bit of jojoba oil to gently polish vinyl floors.
Manufacturing vinyl flooring requires the use of toxic chemicals, and after installation, vinyl floors have been known to emit VOCs (volatile organic compounds). Off-gassed VOCs can adversely affect health and an indoor environment, particularly without windows or ventilation, will lead to higher concentrations.
Some commercial cleaners are specially designed for vinyl floors. These include Pine-Sol Multi-Surface Cleaner, Pledge Multisurface Floor Cleaner, and Armstrong's Once 'n Done No-Rinse Floor Cleaner.
It will likely wear well for many years. Vinyl plank flooring comes in different thicknesses. Many of the thicker vinyl flooring versions may offer warranties on the product for as much as 25 years, while a thinner vinyl choice can last between 5 and 10 years, depending on use.
Instead, learn how to clean vinyl floors using the mildest possible method. Sweep or vacuum it every evening, and wipe up spills right away. To clean dirt that the broom or vacuum can't get, use a mop dampened with warm—not hot—water. If all else fails, use soap, but make sure the soap is designed for your flooring.
DO NOT use All-Purpose or Multi-Purpose cleaners, detergents, abrasive cleaners or “mop and shine” type products (such as Bleach, Pine-Sol, Clorox Soft Scrub, Fabuloso, Rejuvenate, Mop & Glo, Mr. Clean, Murphy's Oil Soap and similar, unapproved cleaners), as they will dull the finish and sheen of the flooring material.
No, you should not steam mop your LVT floor.
We would like to let you know that the Vacmop can safely be used on all sealed hard floors, stone, hardwood, vinyl, laminate, tile, marble, and linoleum. It works great at cleaning. There is a Multi-Surface Cleaner that would work great on your laminate floors.
The heat from the mop can melt the glue that is holding the planks down to the subfloor. Vinyl plank flooring isn't designed to be cleaned with a steam mop, and if you use a steam mop on the flooring, you will often void the manufacturer's warranty on the product.
Vinyl Flooring “Don'ts”
Don't use wax or solvent-based polishes. Don't use ammonia or ammonia-based cleaning solutions. Ammonia can break down the vinyl and cause it to crack.
Professionals clean vinyl floors using specially formulated cleaning solutions and hot water extraction. The combination of these methods delivers powerful vinyl floor cleaning action that leaves your vinyl look brand new.
Note: Disinfecting wipes that contain bleach are acceptable on vinyl. 7.5 to 9 is the recommended pH for bleach.