Commercial vinyl floor cleaners are available, but you can make a simple, effective cleaner for vinyl floors by mixing apple cider vinegar with water. The vinegar's acidity removes dirt without leaving a soapy film. Mix one cup of cider vinegar with a gallon of hot water.
While vinegar is a common ingredient in many homemade floor cleaners, it shouldn't be used on certain household surfaces because it can cause damage. Fortunately, luxury vinyl flooring isn't one of those surfaces. In fact, apple cider vinegar makes an excellent vinyl floor cleaner.
Like with hardwood floors, vinegar's acidity will take away the shine and sheen of a no-wax floor, such as vinyl and linoleum. Using vinegar won't give you the light sudsy action that you need to get no-wax flooring clean.
Vinyl flooring should be dry-mopped or vacuumed daily or weekly and—when a deeper cleaning is needed—damp-mopped with a pH-neutral cleaning agent formulated for use on vinyl or with a mild solution of equal parts distilled white vinegar and water mixed with two to three drops of dish soap.
Generally speaking, most luxury vinyl planks can be cleaned using soap and water and don't require a special LVP cleaner. A dishwashing soap like Dawn is the best way to clean vinyl plank flooring because it will cut grime and grease without stripping your floors or damaging the wear layer.
Pine-Sol Multi-Surface Cleaner is a suitable option for vinyl floors, but it should be used sparingly with water.
Our Swiffer Wet cloths are designed with a pH close to neutral. As well, these cloths have been tested to be safe for use on vinyl plank flooring.
There's no need to rinse your vinegar-mopping solution from your floors. Keep in mind that your floors should be drying very quickly if you've wrung out your mop sufficiently.
Vinyl floors: the cons
Because it is softer than other hard surface flooring, sharp objects and heavy furniture can cause scratches, abrasions, and other permanent damage. With certain vinyl tiles, the attrition can cause the whole tile to pop out and require replacement.
How Often to Clean Vinyl Plank Flooring. Like the other floors in your home, you should plan to remove crumbs, dust, and debris from your floors at least once a week.
You can use a small amount of dish soap or a mixture of water and white vinegar. The only “down-side” of vinegar is that it is acidic, and if you live in a climate where mold and mildew are a problem, an acidic environment can promote that growth. Don't use natural vinegar. Only white vinegar.
Grout is porous and usually sealed to resist stains. However, acid can degrade these silicone-based sealants, causing them to break down and wash away. Contrary to popular belief, this can happen with just one application of vinegar.
Cleaning Vinyl Plank Floors
This includes sweeping or vacuuming regularly to remove dirt and debris that can scratch the surface over time. You should also mop with a damp cloth or mop using a mild cleaner such as dish soap or vinegar diluted in water once a week.
If you must use pine sol, I'd definitely follow with a clean water washing to remove residue especially for safety of animals and children.
Routine Care And Maintenance:
Do not use abrasive cleaners, such as steel wool or scouring powder, as these may scratch your floor. Do not use cleaning products that contain surfactants. Dish lotions, laundry detergents, Murphy Oil Soap cleaners should not be used to maintain your flooring.
“Ammonia or bleach-based cleaners that may discolor the vinyl aren't the best idea, and wax or polish isn't the best to use either, as many vinyl floors have a no-wax finish,” warns Stein.
The first ingredient to use to revive your vinyl flooring is baking soda. The next time you get ready to mop (using an appropriate mop head for vinyl floors) add a few tablespoons of baking soda to your usual cleaning solution, shake until it's dissolved, and then mop as usual.
LVP floors are designed to be low-maintenance, but several factors can make them look dull over time: Dirt and Dust Buildup: Daily traffic can lead to a buildup of dirt and debris. Even fine dust particles, when left uncleaned, can create a haze over your floors, making them look less shiny.
Heavy furniture and commercial appliances getting dragged around are one of the main culprits for destroying luxury vinyl floor tiles. Sometimes things need to be moved, and it's out of your control whether the furniture is lifted correctly or dragged across the floor, causing nasty scrapes and marks.
Applying a Vinyl Floor Polish
One of the most effective ways to bring back the shine is by using the best vinyl floor polish. These products are designed specifically for vinyl and can significantly enhance the glossy finish.
You can use a dry Swiffer mop pad on vinyl plank flooring products. The dry Swiffer is an excellent way to capture dust and pet hair for a thorough clean. If you use a Swiffer WetJet, you'll need to refer to your product's directions and make sure that the product is waterproof.