March 3, 2022

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Like all things new, they come untouched, shiny and possibly the most beautiful thing you have ever laid your eyes upon. Then before you know it, comes the smudges, chipping, and even tearing as far as broken parts. Yes, that can happen to your vinyl floor coverings too and it is completely normal.

You might have several questions by now. Some might include:

  • How do you maintain vinyl flooring?
  • What can you put on vinyl flooring to protect it?
  • What should you not use on a luxury vinyl floor?
  • How to clean vinyl plank flooring?

Now, these questions can sound quite intimidating when you are not sure where to start but let’s break them down bit by bit. From taking the right preventive measures to knowing the best way to clean vinyl floors, we are here to guide you every step of the way to keep your vinyl floorboards or vinyl planks in tip-top condition.

Do’s and Don’ts of Vinyl Floor

To understand the do’s and don’ts of vinyl flooring, we must first recognise the type of vinyl flooring that you are dealing with.

Luxury Vinyl Flooring (LVF)

There are two types: Luxury Vinyl Tiles (LVT) and Luxury Vinyl Planks (LVP). One of the fastest-growing floor trends for both residential and office spaces, LVF is a flooring option created to mimic natural finishes while being highly durable, easily installed and aesthetically pleasing.

The only difference between LVT and LVP would be its shapes. One being tile-shaped while the other being plank-shaped to mirror the look and feel of hardwood with realistic textures.

Vinyl Rolls or Vinyl Sheets

As its name suggests, this vinyl option comes in large, continuous sheets rather than individual pieces like LVF, reducing seams and potential spills that may seep through.

Cleaning and maintaining your vinyl floor coverings is inevitable once you get them installed into your space. But preventing the accidents that increase the amount of time spent on maintenance should be your number one priority. To be frank, constant maintenance and purchasing of cleaning supplies can be taxing on both your wallet and body — let’s try to reduce that altogether.

Do’s:

  • Remove stains by using a damped cloth.
  • When cleaners are used, always rinse away with lukewarm to warm water afterwards and wipe dry.
  • Clean up immediately after any spill.

Don’ts:

  • Do not use ammonia-based cleaners, either in liquid or powder form. 
  • Avoid rubber mats or tips used on furniture as they will cause discolouration which can become permanent overtime. 
  • Avoid steel wool when cleaning as it can take away the shine.
  • Don’t be heavy-handed with water when cleaning as it can damage the glue overtime.

How to prevent damages or stains?

  • Vinyl mats to prevent unwanted damage.
  • Felt pad protectors to prevent scratch marks.
  • Floor finishes to prevent scratches, dents and nicks.
  • Avoid rubber bottoms to prevent stains.

How to clean vinyl floors?

There is only so much one can do to prevent accidents from happening but they still occur. Luckily, there are some easy ways to clean them. Just like most cleaning supplies, the necessary equipment and liquids can be found at in your local hardware store. Additionally, vinyl floor cleaning is a rather straightforward routine no matter the type of vinyl flooring.

Initial and Day-to-Day Treatment

Newly installed vinyl flooring needs at least 24 hours to fully settle due to its adhesive and seam sealing. Hence, do not wash your floor but sweep with a soft brush or vacuum to remove any dust or grit. Having to do this day-to-day prevents a bigger maintenance routine down the road, saving you both the time and energy.

Monthly Treatment 

To avoid possible corrosive damage overtime, the best vinyl floor cleaner would be a soft and neutral detergent like the Signature Floorcoverings Cushion Floor Cleaner. When paired with a damped microfibre mop, which is the best mop for vinyl floors, they help remove dirt, dust and grime as gently as possible. Unlike the initial treatment, this can be a monthly routine rather than a daily one.

How to maintain vinyl floors?

By nature, vinyl flooring is stain-resistant, water-resistant and hardwearing. Hence, there can be little to no heavy maintenance needed depending on your floor space usage. Gently sweep your floor space daily as the dust and debris can create scratches and scuff marks, and use a damped cloth or mop to wipe off any grime or light stains.

How to know if you need new flooring?

There are many reasons as to why you may need new flooring but here are the most common reasons why:

  • Large scratches and marks 
  • Water damage
  • Excessive wear and tear due to constant high traffic
  • Permanent discolouration
  • Uneven surface
  • Creaking floorboards
  • Mould or bacteria growth

When you begin to encounter such problems, switching over to Luxury Vinyl Flooring can be your next best choice. After breaking these steps down, maintaining and cleaning vinyl flooring may not be daunting or tedious tasks after all. In fact, they can be cost-friendly, easily done and incorporated into your routine. 
If you’re still unsure or wish to clarify several information regarding ways to keep your vinyl floors in top condition, get in touch with the experts at Jupps. You can contact us at (+08) 6253 8143 or send an enquiry to our friendly team here.