Vinyl floor care guide
Understanding the characteristics, proper care and maintenance of vinyl, will ensure your new floors wear well and provide many years of enjoyment. Here are a few tips to help you get started.
Cleaning
Sweep
Sweep your vinyl floor at least once a week.
Wipe up spills immediately
The longer a stain sits the tougher it will be to remove from the surface.
Stay away from soap and detergent
Avoid using soap and detergent products on your vinyl floors and opt for a manufacturer recommend cleaner to protect your warranty.
Mop your floors
To prevent dirt, build up occasionally mop your floor with the manufacturer's recommended floor cleaner. Follow the instructions on the bottle and do not over mix.
Rinse
Sweep your vinyl floor at least once a week.
Wipe up spills immediately
The longer a stain sits the tougher it will be to remove from the surface.
Stay away from soap and detergent
Avoid using soap and detergent products on your vinyl floors and opt for a manufacturer recommend cleaner to protect your warranty.
Mop your floors
To prevent dirt, build up occasionally mop your floor with the manufacturer's recommended floor cleaner. Follow the instructions on the bottle and do not over mix.
Rinse
Although the no-rinse cleaners do not need rinsing when you mop, rinsing will provide a better shine. If you do notice a dulling film after cleaning the floor, try a thorough rinse with warm, clean water.
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Maintenance
Use doormats
Whenever possible place a non-staining doormat outside each entrance to your home to prevent dirt, sand, grit, and other substances such as oil, asphalt, and driveway sealer from being tracked onto your floor. Stay away from latex-backed, rubber-backed and coco-fiber mats on your vinyl floor. Vinyl manufacturers recommend the use of latex-based driveway sealers to minimize the potential staining from asphalt sealer tracking.
Close your curtains and blinds
To avoid sunlight causing your floor to fade or discolor you should always close your curtains or blinds where extreme sunlight hits the floor.
Replace narrow furniture rests
Replace all narrow furniture rests with wide-bearing ones and support furniture with wide-bearing, non-staining floor protectors. It is recommended that all furniture protectors be at least one inch in diameter, made of non-pigmented, hard plastic, and rest flat on the floor. Non-staining felt protectors are also acceptable. Casters with a minimum 3/4" flat surface width or floor protectors are recommended for all moveable furniture.
Moving heavy objects
Always use strips of 1/4" plywood or sheets of underlayment as runways to protect the floor if you need to move heavy objects across your vinyl floor. Runways should always be used even if the heavy objects are equipped with wheels or rollers.
Restore hi-gloss
To restore the hi-gloss on a urethane vinyl floor most manufacturers recommend a manufacturer’s recommended floor polish. Once the floor is thoroughly cleaned, rinse, dry, and then apply a new coat of polish. High traffic areas may require more than one application of polish. Allow polish to dry "tack-free" between coats.
Whenever possible place a non-staining doormat outside each entrance to your home to prevent dirt, sand, grit, and other substances such as oil, asphalt, and driveway sealer from being tracked onto your floor. Stay away from latex-backed, rubber-backed and coco-fiber mats on your vinyl floor. Vinyl manufacturers recommend the use of latex-based driveway sealers to minimize the potential staining from asphalt sealer tracking.
Close your curtains and blinds
To avoid sunlight causing your floor to fade or discolor you should always close your curtains or blinds where extreme sunlight hits the floor.
Replace narrow furniture rests
Replace all narrow furniture rests with wide-bearing ones and support furniture with wide-bearing, non-staining floor protectors. It is recommended that all furniture protectors be at least one inch in diameter, made of non-pigmented, hard plastic, and rest flat on the floor. Non-staining felt protectors are also acceptable. Casters with a minimum 3/4" flat surface width or floor protectors are recommended for all moveable furniture.
Moving heavy objects
Always use strips of 1/4" plywood or sheets of underlayment as runways to protect the floor if you need to move heavy objects across your vinyl floor. Runways should always be used even if the heavy objects are equipped with wheels or rollers.
Restore hi-gloss
To restore the hi-gloss on a urethane vinyl floor most manufacturers recommend a manufacturer’s recommended floor polish. Once the floor is thoroughly cleaned, rinse, dry, and then apply a new coat of polish. High traffic areas may require more than one application of polish. Allow polish to dry "tack-free" between coats.