How to Clean Vinyl Floors

When you’re learning how to clean vinyl floors, start with a dry cleaning step. Use a dust mop and a vacuum to remove any debris before adding a wet cleaner.

Use a dust mop, dry mop or flat mop to gather up surface dirt. If you have a soft broom without abrasive bristles, you could also use that. Gently and methodically clean the floors:

• Start in the corners and work your way to the center of the room.
• Make sure you also clean under furniture and along baseboards.
• Sweep the debris into a dust pan and dispose of it.

After mopping, use a
vacuum cleaner to make sure the floors are fully clean.

• Turn off the beater bar or rotating brush. It may be labeled as a setting for bare floors.
• Vacuum the room. Follow the same path as you did with your mop.
• If you’re cleaning vinyl floors with planks, make sure to vacuum the gaps or cracks between the pieces.

Vinyl is durable and low maintenance. Like any floor, it can get dirty. It's important to know the best commercial cleaners for vinyl flooring.

A vinyl floor cleaner is made to be safe and effective for most any type of vinyl flooring. Always check the manufacturer's recommendations.Tile cleaners are another good option. Read the bottle to see if the cleaner you’re considering is meant for vinyl. Distilled water and a pH-neutral floor cleaner can usually eliminatte light stains and dirt.

Follow the manufacturer's instructions for best results. Be sure not to soak the floor. Although some vinyl is water-resistant, not all of it is waterproof. New vinyl floors handle water much better than older ones.

To be safe when choosing the best cleaner for vinyl flooring, use a small amount of water. Too much water may seep through the cracks. That could cause bubbling, corner curl or unsightly blemishes on your floor.

To avoid this, simply make sure you’re working with a lightly dampened cloth or mop. If you use more cleaner, don’t let a puddle of it sit on your floor.

Avoid using ammonia-based cleaning solutions. Keep away from highly abrasive scrubbers or detergents on vinyl. They can damage the floor, causing cracks or scratches. They might also leave a dull film in their wake. Read on for gentler options.

Using natural substances like vinegar or baking soda can an effective, gentler cleaning method. In addition, removing stains from vinyl tile, planks or sheet vinyl flooring this way is more budget friendly and safer for pets.

Baking soda is a natural method that avoids harming the finish. It helps lift stains off your floor naturally. Follow these steps for vinyl floor cleaning to remove stains using baking soda:

• Combine baking soda and water to create a paste.
• Apply the paste to the stain with a soft rag.
• Rub gently until the stain is completely lifted.
• Repeat this process if necessary.
• When you’re done, remove excess paste. Wipe the area with a clean, damp cloth.
• For more cleaning power, rinse with your vinegar and water mix. Any extra baking soda will react with the vinegar.

If your vinyl flooring manufacturer permits it, white vinegar or apple cider vinegar (without the mother) is an excellent way to spiff up your vinyl floor without chemicals. It cleans off general surface dirt, cuts through grime and helps remove any floor stickiness. Follow these steps to clean vinyl floors with vinegar:

• Mix 1 cup of vinegar into 1 gallon of very warm water.
• Dip your wet mop into this mixture.
• Wring out the mop so it’s damp, but not soaking wet.
• Mop your floor.
• For an extra cleaning boost, add a drop or two of dish soap to the mix. Be sure to rinse well afterward. Although clean floors are great, slippery floors are not.

After cleaning your vinyl floors with hard surface cleaners, you might discover scuffs. Small scuffs that don’t have scratches beneath them are easy to remove. Major scuffs, scratches and nicks may require replacing the affected vinyl plank flooring or vinyl tile.

To remove minor scuffs or unsightly shoe scuffs during a vinyl floor cleaning, try one of these methods:

• Use a melamine pad/sponge. Simply buff out the scuff until it disappears. It removes small scuffs without damaging the finish.
• Popular canned lubricants work too. The tiny straw helps with precise application.
• You can also try buffing the scuff with a dab of olive or jojoba oil.
• Use rubbing alcohol and a rag to buff scuffs away.

After removing scuffs, you want to make sure the floor is safe to walk on. Carefully wash away any oils with water and vinegar.

The best way to ensure you have clean vinyl floors is to set up a good defense. The old saying applies here: “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.”

Prevent stains on vinyl with a quick cleanup. Immediately wipe up any spills and rinse off residue. The longer a spill sits, the more likely the vinyl can absorb it. Once the vinyl has absorbed the stain, it will be much more difficult to remove.
If a quick cleanup didn’t happen or fix the vinyl stain, there’s still hope.

Knowing how to remove stains from vinyl floors starts with following these general tips when removing stains from vinyl:

• Make sure your ventilation is good if using chemicals.
• Use rubber gloves to protect your hands.
• For stain removal methods involving soaking, use a rag to apply the solution.
• If the stain is small, try a cotton ball or pad to soak the solution into the stain.
• Always do a spot check in a hidden corner to see if the vinyl discolors. If it doesn’t discolor, use your stain remover of choice.

Use one of the following methods of removing stains on vinyl flooring that applies best to your situation.

Tip: Always follow the vinyl floor manufacturer's cleaning and stain removal ideas and guidelines first.

Brightly colored food can easily stain. Some common causes are juice, ketchup, curry, mustard, wine, sports drinks and tomato sauce. Treat these stains with baking soda and water. See Section 3 for details on making and using this natural paste.

• Makeup products are highly pigmented. Hair dye, lipstick, blush and concealer are known for staining. Try cleaning these stains with rubbing alcohol and an old toothbrush.
• Hairspray doesn’t usually stain, but it may discolor. Unless you’ve got tinted hairspray, this will show as a dull film. Remove it with a drop of shampoo mixed with water.
• Nail polish spills can be tackled with nail polish remover. Try the stronger variety with acetone for best results.

Art supplies can leave markings on your vinyl floors. Try these methods to eliminate common stains:

• Use a cloth dabbed in mineral spirits on stains made by crayons, markers and paint.
• Try rubbing alcohol or hand sanitizer to get rid of ink stains from pens or art projects. Use an old toothbrush or scrub brush with soft nylon bristles to scrub away the mark. If that doesn’t work, consider trying sour cream or yogurt. Clean the spot well afterward.

If the stain-removing options listed above haven’t worked, you can replace the damaged vinyl or cover the spot with an accent rug or mat. Or you can try the following methods to remove rust or other stubborn stains from vinyl.

• Try oxalic acid or wood bleach for the rust stains under appliances. Follow the directions on the bottle. Rinse thoroughly when you’re done.

• Try laundry detergent.

  • Mix a powdered laundry detergent with water to create a paste. Spread the paste onto the stain.
  • Let it sit for a moment.
  • Scrub with a nylon bristle brush or old toothbrush.
  • Thoroughly wash off the paste with clean water when you’re done.

• If the laundry detergent doesn’t work, and your only solution is to replace your floor, consider bleaching the stained area. Household bleach is a very last resort because it can damage your vinyl flooring further. If you want to try bleach:

  • Make sure any previous cleaners you’ve tried have been completely rinsed off first.
  • Mix one part bleach with two parts water.
  • Wearing rubber gloves, gently dip a rag into the mixture.
  • Wring out the rag so it’s wet but not dripping.
  • Let the rag sit on the stain for as long as it takes to remove it.

Tip: Work in a well-ventilated area and wear old clothes when working with bleach.

Now that your floor is sparkling clean, you’ll want to keep it that way.

• Try a “no-wax” wax substitute for your vinyl floor. It’ll give it the shine of wax but without the dull buildup. Paste wax isn't recommended for vinyl.
• A budget-friendly option for making floors shine is to add a drop or two of baby oil while mopping with vinegar. Just make sure not to overdo it. A slippery floor is not ideal.
• Regularly sweep and dust the floors to remove any dirt. Ground-in or sharp debris can discolor or scratch the floor.

Vinyl floors are durable but can become scratched or damaged. Here’s a few tips to prevent this from happening:

• Use an area rug and rug pad under a couch, table or bed frame to prevent the legs from denting or tearing your vinyl floor.
• Add flat nylon or felt floor protectors to the legs of your furniture. Or use an area rug and rug pad under a couch, table or bed frame to prevent the legs from denting or tearing your vinyl floor.
• When selecting a rug pad for a vinyl floor, look for ones that are non-stick.
• Rubber or latex rug pads can discolor or stick to your vinyl floor, leaving marks or stains.
• Don't slide anything heavy across a vinyl floor. If you need to move furniture, use a dolly or put down cardboard first.
• Avoid rollers or casters on vinyl floors. Be mindful of heavy appliances, as they can dent vinyl flooring.
• Lay a doormat or rubber kitchen mat in heavy foot traffic areas.