September 8th, 2021 by Sarah Miles

Top tips for keeping your vinyl floor hygienically clean and looking good

No doubt, one of the reasons you bought your vinyl flooring was because they are so low maintenance compared to many other surfaces. They really are a great option, especially for busy households, but they do require a little care to keep them looking good for a long time.

Here are some top tips for caring for your vinyl floor:

Remove dirt regularly

Even in the cleanest of homes, floors attract dirt and dust and while vinyl is really hard-wearing, the movement of such particles over the surface can lead to damage and scratching. Vacuum or sweep regularly to stay on top of it.

Remove outdoor shoes

While you may find it bothersome to remove your shoes as soon as you come in the door, this is one of the most effective ways to keep your floor coverings, and home in general, clean. Not only do outdoor shoes bring dirt in, but they also help to grind it into the surface of your floor over time which can scratch and scuff. High heels can also make indentations in vinyl. Soft indoor shoes, such as slippers, are ideal and you’ll soon find you get into the habit.

Protect from furniture

The feet and castors on furniture can both scratch and indent floors, especially if moved around. Cover them with protective pads or cups and never drag furniture over the floor – always lift, move, and place down again carefully (ask for help with this for heavy pieces).

Wash regularly

Sweeping it will keep dirt at bay, but it will still need washing fairly regularly to remove marks plus the germs and bacteria that you can’t see. Vinyl is water-resistant so washing it with a good old fashioned mop and bucket remains the most effective method. Use an appropriate detergent to remove marks and stains and fully sanitise the floor. While you don’t have to worry about getting it too wet as you do with wood, make sure you dry it off as much as possible after washing as water left to pool could damage it as well as creating a slip hazard. It’s also likely to leave watermarks on the surface.

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Quickly deal with spills

Food and drink spills can easily happen, but you don’t have to worry about them with a surface like vinyl – or do you? The truth is vinyl will be able to handle accidents better than most flooring, but you still need to clean things up straight away. Prolonged contact with the surface can leave it stained, damaged, and sticky – not to mention slippery. Never just leave it there.

Don’t use abrasive objects

Vinyl is hard-wearing but it’s not scratch proof. Rough, abrasive items like wire brushes, scouring pads, and wire wool will damage the surface so don’t use them. String mops and microfibre cloths and pads are all much better options and you should be able to remove even the most stubborn stains with the right detergent. Just make sure it states it’s suitable for vinyl.

Beware of rubber

Have you ever noticed yellow stains on vinyl flooring? This can happen with prolonged exposure to rubber as it causes a chemical reaction. This applies to more items than you might think: bicycle tyres, pram wheels, rubber-backed mats, rubber-soled shoes etc. Don’t leave these items sat in one position for any length of time. In fact, it’s better not to have direct contact at all (consider some kind of barrier if you do need to keep any of these objects in the space).

Look after your vinyl flooring well and it will last for a really long time.