The best type of mop for your vinyl flooring

You might think you can use any type of mop on your vinyl flooring; after all, vinyl is famously tough and water-resistant, so why does it matter? It is true to a certain extent that vinyl is durable and pretty easy to care for and clean, but there are some things you should bear in mind when selecting a mop to use on your flooring.

Be wary of steam mops

Steam mops have become increasingly popular in recent years because homeowners like the idea of a deep clean they can easily do themselves; however, steam mops are not always the best choice for vinyl flooring. Although vinyl flooring is water-resistant, it is not necessarily steam resistant; in fact, steam can penetrate the flooring and cause lasting damage. If you have on occasion used a steam mop on your vinyl floor without outwards signs of damage, you might have got away with it so far; however, you should avoid doing so in future unless the manufacturer of your flooring specifically states that it is OK or you have a steam mop designed for use on vinyl floors.

Microfibre mops tend to be the best all-round option for vinyl

Microfibre mops are great for vinyl flooring because they can pick up dirt and dust at the same time as they clean. This means you don’t need to worry about sweeping or vacuuming first unless there is a lot of dirt and debris on your floor. You can even use many microfibre mops dry before wet-mopping, meaning you can get rid of excess dust beforehand and without using separate equipment. Microfibre is also soft and gentle and won’t cause scratches on your flooring.

Avoid mops that deposit too much water

As already mentioned, vinyl is a water-resistant floor covering but you should still avoid leaving pools of water on your floor for long. Traditional string-style mops are fine if they are used damp but can leave pools of water on your floor when used sopping wet. If water sits on the joins in your vinyl flooring for too long, or at the edge of the room where the flooring meets the wall, it can seep through and cause water damage. You should use any type of mop damp rather than dripping wet, so always wring your mop out well before using it on your vinyl flooring.