You’ve chosen to install luxury vinyl planks in your home for its long list of benefits. Sitting gloriously at the top of your list, among its affordable price, lasting durability, and beautiful appearance is its breeze of maintenance. You don’t have time for the thorough sweep three times a day and dread the nightly soap bucket and a wet mop. However, you do have time for a brisk and painless LVP cleaning routine! Let’s slide into how to clean your new vinyl plank flooring and let you in on a few tips and tricks.
The Best Way to Clean Vinyl Plank Flooring
The quickest way to damage your luxury vinyl plank is through daily negligence. A regular cleaning routine is key to protecting LVP! To keep your flooring in its prime shape and appearance, sweep daily. Removing daily accumulations of dirt, dust, and grime protects your flooring from lasting scratches and scuffs.
In addition, be sure to deep clean your LVP flooring once every one to two weeks. A deep clean begins with a thorough sweep. After removing dirt and debris from the floors, survey for any stains. Spot treat stains with lukewarm water, dish soap, and a soft bristle brush. Lightly scrub away any stain or discoloration. Once treating stains, complete your routine with a wet mop across all flooring. For the safest and most effective LVP mopping solution, mix a cup of apple cider vinegar and a gallon of lukewarm water. After the floors are mopped, wipe away any excess water with a microfiber cloth. Be sure to implement this routine to keep your LVP in tip-top shape!
Tips and Tricks When Caring For Your LVP
Caring for your luxury vinyl flooring is simple! Here are a few tips and tricks to make the process even smoother.
- Clean Spills ASAP – Clean spills as quickly as possible to avoid any lasting damage. Substances may contain extreme pH levels that can cause tough stains. If something is spilled, be sure to wipe it away immediately.
- Use Felt Pads – Protect your flooring from scratches or scuffs by applying felt pads to the bottom of heavy furniture. Having a protective layer can save your flooring from the possibility of hundreds of dollars in damages.
- Add Extra Protection With A Doormat – Add a doormat to entrances and exits around your house to pick up any dirt, dust, or grime before entering your home.
- Treat Tough Stains With The Help of Baking Soda – Tackle tough stains by mixing baking soda and water to form a paste-like consistency. Lightly scrub away the stain with a soft bristle brush. Baking soda is less harsh than chemical cleaners and will not damage LVP.
Things To Avoid When Caring For Your LVP
- Never Steam Clean- LVP is not designed to withstand heat. The use of excess heat can cause the flooring to lose its shape and even penetrate the protective top layer. Instead, treat floors with lukewarm water.
- Avoid Abrasive Scrubbers- Using abrasive scrubbers on LVP can scratch and damage floors. Instead, treat tough stains with the help of a soft bristle brush and baking soda paste.
- Never Use Ammonia Or Bleach- When choosing a safe cleaner for LVP, be sure it does not contain ammonia or bleach. Both can penetrate the protective layer of LVP and damage the inner layers of the durable flooring. Instead, reach for the homemade apple cider vinegar and water solution.
A regular cleaning routine is key for your LVP to outlast all other floorings you have had. Implement these cleaning tips and tricks to keep your LVP looking spick and span! If you are considering LVP for its ease of maintenance, our design consultants can help you with every step. Visit our Design Center to check out our wide array of design and color options!