You’re just minutes from sparkling clean floors
You've got this!
You might need a few supplies.
Vinyl plank flooring is a great option if you want durable floors that look like wood at a lower cost. But the reality is that this type of flooring still requires some attention to look great. Some common cleaners can damage vinyl plank floors, and if you don’t keep up with regular mopping, dirt and debris can even tear up the surface of the floors.
Here’s how to clean vinyl plank flooring, whether you just need to do a quick clean-up or you’re dealing with spills and stains.
Dust, dirt, and other particles naturally accumulate on our floors every day. While taking a few days off from cleaning the floors seems harmless, debris is especially detrimental to vinyl plank flooring. Particles can scratch and damage the protective topcoat on vinyl plank floors. You’ll need to clean them every one to two days to keep the floors in good condition.
To remove dirt and other debris, use a dust mop or a vacuum. Avoid using a broom because the stiff bristles can scratch the protective top layer of the vinyl. If you opt for a vacuum, make sure to turn off the beater bar. The beater bar is best to get a deeper clean on carpets, but it can tear up your vinyl plank floors.
Once the floors are clear of the day’s dust, you can start buffing out any scuff marks from the kids running through the house or a dining chair rubbing against the floor. Commercial multi-use lubricant, like WD-40, is the secret weapon here. Spray it on the scuff lightly, then use a clean, microfiber cloth to buff the area.
Now, it’s time to tackle some stains. Of course, if you have a spill, be sure to clean it up quickly with water and a cleaning cloth. But if you do have stains from food or grease, you can raid your pantry or medicine cabinet for homemade cleaning solutions.
Food stains: Make a paste with about 2 tablespoons of baking soda with 1 teaspoon of water. Apply the paste carefully to any stains from dinner with a soft nylon brush, then wipe clean.
Grease stains: Rubbing alcohol is great for lifting grease stains. Use a clean cloth dipped in the rubbing alcohol to scrub away the stain.
Craft supply stains: Your kids’ art projects are cute, but their spilled paint isn’t. Simply use a cleaning cloth and mineral spirits to wipe away paint, marker, or crayon stains.
You’ve cleared the dust, buffed the scuffs, and wiped out the smudges and stains. Your vinyl plank floors are now ready for an all-over clean, but it’s important to choose a cleaner safe for this flooring type. "Dish soap solutions and vinegar solutions are effective, low-cost alternatives that will safely clean the vinyl,” said Asya Biddle, Angi Expert Review Board member and manager of The Dustbusters, a family-owned and operated janitorial company in Williamsport, PA. “Plus, it will not leave a film behind."
If you want to use commercial cleaners, check the labels to find an option that is safe for vinyl. Otherwise, you can make your own cleaner.
Dish soap cleaner: Use a few drops of liquid dish soap in a bucket of warm water. This mixture is great for vinyl floors in a kitchen, which can accumulate crud quickly each day.
Vinegar cleaner: For anywhere in the house, use diluted vinegar to clean vinyl plank floors. Combine 1 cup of white or apple cider vinegar in 1 gallon of warm water.
Dunk a mop into your preferred cleaning solution. Be sure to wring the mop out well every time you go for more. Then, mop your floors as usual to give your vinyl plank floors the best clean.
To keep vinyl plank flooring looking its best and to prevent accumulating dirt from damaging the floors, you’ll want to keep up with cleaning every day. That may mean daily vacuuming, dry mopping, or mopping with water or diluted vinegar. If you already have the tools, like a vacuum and dust and wet mops, on hand, you’ll spend about $0 to $40 for supplies to clean vinyl plank flooring yourself.
If this sounds like too much upkeep for you, or you’re looking to get a deeper clean than you may have the time or ability to do yourself, you can hire local house cleaners to handle this task. Professional cleaning services typically cost about $30 to $50 per hour.
If you’re looking for commercial cleaners, just check the label to find options that say they are safe for vinyl. Otherwise, homemade cleaners work great for vinyl plank flooring. Baking soda paste works well for spot-cleaning, and vinegar mixed with water is best for all-over cleaning. You can even clean your floors with plain water, which is great for everyday maintenance.
You can embrace minimalism when it comes to cleaning vinyl plank flooring. Water or diluted vinegar both work great for mopping and are much better options than some other cleaners that can damage the protective coating on these floors. Ammonia or solvent-based polishes can both break down the top layer. Also, avoid “mop-and-shine” cleaners, which tend to leave behind residue on vinyl plank floors.
