Vinyl Flooring care guide | How to maintain vinyl floors

Vinyl Care Guide

Flooring is an essential part of our homes, so choosing the right one that features all the properties that you deem to be important, whether that’s pet and child friendly, or authentic and traditional looking, we have it all. Maintaining the overall appearance of your floor by regularly cleaning it and treating it with care will ultimately expand its lifespan.

Purchasing brand new floors for your home can be expensive, so keeping it in tip-top condition is a priority of ours and soon will be a priority of yours for years to come. In busy family homes, it doesn’t take much for a room to become untidy or look unkept, so even routinely vacuuming the floors will make a massive difference in the overall appearance of your home. Removing the dirt and dust will ensure you achieve a naturally fresh feel to your room so that you can sit back and relax without worrying about how you floor looks.

Aside from regularly vacuuming and mopping your vinyl floors to keep them in sound condition, this regular upkeep will prevent any build-up of bad odours and bacteria. So, following Flooring Directs care guide for vinyl flooring is a must! You’ll find useful information to help you clean and maintain your vinyl flooring, including how to tackle those pesky stains.

How To Clean Vinyl Floors

If you’re looking for a fuss-free and low maintenance flooring, then our range of vinyl is the perfect place for you to start looking. However, like any flooring, vinyl will still need a spruce every now and then just to keep it looking and feeling clean. Although vinyl requires a minor amount of upkeep compared to our other flooring products like carpet or solid wood, this easy maintenance alternative will still need the occasional bit of TLC.

Here are some of Flooring Directs top tips on how to clean vinyl floors:

● Use a soft bristle brush or a vacuum to remove any general dirt and dust that can build up over time.

● Remove any stains or spillages using a damp cloth and warm water. Add some bicarbonate of soda to the water for any stains that are proving tougher to lift.

● Due to the non-absorbent properties of vinyl flooring, any spills or puddles of liquid will collect on the surface which will not damage the material unless it is left for a prolonged period of time. Using kitchen roll or a well-wrung out mop would be the best way to tackle these spillages.

Which Cleaning Products Are Safe To Use On Vinyl Flooring?

● Due to the vast amount of cleaning products which claim to be safe to use on any floors, at Flooring Direct we can only advise you to read the label thoroughly before using any detergents on vinyl flooring.

● The label should advise you on the ingredients of the product and which type of floor it is safe to use on. Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of which flooring you have purchased and its properties beforehand to ensure you don’t cause unwanted damage to your vinyl.

● Consider using natural cleaning products/materials that contain less hazardous ingredients if you are concerned about the potentially harmful chemicals that could be dangerous to use around children and pets.

● Be sure to only use soft cloths or fabrics to wipe the surface of your vinyl floors, as any sharp or abrasive material can cause permanent damage and scratching.

How To Remove Stains From Vinyl Flooring

● Using warm water and a damp cloth to remove the initial spillage will leave you with a surface clear of any excess liquid that you might otherwise end up spreading around the floor further.

● Apply your vinyl cleaning product of choice to a damp cloth and wipe over the stain until it starts to visibly fade.

● Using bleach with water is common when you’re wanting to lift stains caused by food and drink but be careful as it can cause discolouration to your flooring.

● Vinegar and alcohol-based substances can be used for tougher stains that may have been settled for a while. However, be careful as these types of harsher chemicals can cause further damage to your floor depending on the material properties.

Our vinyl flooring has been a popular choice amongst Flooring Direct customers for use in bathrooms and kitchens. This is due to the fact it is non-absorbent so is not as susceptible to water damage as other flooring like solid wood or carpet. This feature makes vinyl flooring a very practical and functional choice of flooring.

Vinyl Flooring Maintenance

Your vinyl flooring should be resistant to most marks and indents caused by heavy furniture, but there are still measures you can take to prevent this type of wear and tear. Here are a few of Flooring Direct’s maintenance tips:

● Before you begin moving furniture about, sweep up any dirt or debris from your vinyl floors to prevent any potential scratching. Try to avoid dragging furniture over you new flooring.

● Make sure the surface is cleaned regularly to avoid any build up and damage to your flooring.

● Attach foam furniture leg protectors to soften the impact that heavy furniture may have.

● Avoid leaving your vinyl flooring in contact with rubber materials for a long period of time as this can cause a chemical reaction which stains vinyl. This reaction is irreversible, so we advise to check the material properties of any rugs you may place on top of your vinyl flooring beforehand.

• Wipe up household spills as soon as possible. Vinyl flooring is resilient; however, spills should still be cleaned up immediately. If the spill is left on the floor for a long period of time, you risk permanently staining the floor.

•Use a doormat to keep out dirt. Grit and dirt that is tracked in from your shoes can act like sandpaper, removing the finish from your vinyl floor.

• Protect your flooring from heavy furniture by using floor protectors. A good rule of thumb is that the heavier the item, the wider the floor protector is required.

• Wash your floor occasionally with a floor cleaner. Look for a neutral cleaner that isn't too harsh.

• Sweep, dust, or vacuum your vinyl floor regularly.

•When moving heavy appliances or furniture it is a good idea to use a plywood sheeting path. If the item is too heavy you can use the plywood path to drag it over. This will protect your flooring and make your move easier.

DON’T

• Never use a detergent that is abrasive. Vinegar or "mop and shine" products may leave a film on your floor, rather than give you that shiny floor that you seek.

• Never use a wax polish

• Never use an abrasive scrubbing tool on your floor. This can cause scratches and harm your flooring.

• Never use a beater bar when vacuuming. This can cause damage to the floor surface.

• Never drench your vinyl with water. Water from an overly wet mop can destroy the glue bond that holds down the vinyl. This can cause corners to curl and the floor to become loose.

• Never use rolling castors. Rolling castors can damage the surface on your floor. Instead, use chairs with felt pads, which won't harm your vinyl.

Vinyl flooring is cost effective, hard wearing and looks great in every room, allowing your room to shine.

So, if you are looking to replace your floor covering, why not take a look at our complete range of vinyl flooring and luxury vinyl tiles.

If you are unsure on what type is best for you then we have a helpful Buying Guide to help you choose the perfect vinyl floor for your room.