What do you need to know about cleaning vinyl flooring

Vinyl has become an extremely popular flooring choice in recent years due to its durability and versatility. You will find it in just about any colour and style you can think of and it is known for being easy to clean and low maintenance; however, there are still a few things you should know about cleaning vinyl flooring and keeping it looking its best.

General cleaning

For light everyday cleaning, you have a range of options. You can vacuum vinyl just as you would carpet or laminate, but make sure you use the correct attachment to avoid the risk of scratching your flooring. The manufacturer will have provided information about the most suitable attachment when you purchased your vacuum. Of course, you can also use a broom or brush to sweep debris from your flooring, which is perfect for a quick tidy-up. Vinyl is more water-resistant than many other types of flooring, so you can safely use a damp cloth or mop for any dirty patches. Just be careful not to leave pools of water standing on the flooring, especially along the edges or joins.

Deep cleaning

It might be necessary to deep clean your flooring every now and then, especially if it is in a high-traffic area of your home or a room that opens onto the outdoors. Firstly, you will need to vacuum or sweep the floor to remove any loose dirt and debris. Next, take a damp mop and clean the entire floor using a general-purpose floor cleaner suitable for vinyl. You can even use many general household detergents, such as washing-up liquid or similar. By now, it should be clear whether there are any areas of the floor with stubborn dirt that requires further attention. Take a cleaning brush with soft-medium bristles and scrub any stubborn dirt patches; if this isn’t effective, you will need a specialist stain remover. There are many brands available to remove tough stains from vinyl flooring, along with many more general stain removers. You often apply the stain remover, leave it for a few minutes and remove it, but be sure to always follow the instructions and to check that any product you use is suitable for vinyl flooring.

Vinyl is a hard-wearing floor covering, making it perfect for busy homes. While it is low-maintenance, regular cleaning will help to keep it looking as good as new for longer.