If you have vinyl flooring, whether, in your kitchen, bathroom, hallway, or laundry room, you know how durable it is. Vinyl takes a lot of abuse on a daily basis, from spills and dirt to your dog’s claws and your kids’ sneakers. Usually, a quick wet mop job weekly is all you need to keep it clean, but once in a while, it’s wise to give your vinyl floors in Detroit a deep clean, especially in high-traffic areas.
Here are some tips to get your vinyl floors sparkling.
Vinyl Flooring: Defined
First off, let’s go over what vinyl flooring is. This is a versatile material that has multiple uses, but it’s not a natural material. It’s a type of plastic made from ethylene and chlorine – and those together make Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC), the fancy name for vinyl.
This material is so common because it’s so durable, and it’s why it enjoys popularity as a flooring material in many homes.
You may use the words vinyl, linoleum, and laminate interchangeably, but the truth is, they have their differences.
- Vinyl: This man-made material is made of a backing, core, printed vinyl layer, and a wear layer. Some of the higher-quality vinyl versions have a waterproof core. There are many ways to install it, such as gluing it down, loosely laying it, or interlocking each piece.
- Linoleum: This is a cheap, easy-to-install material that lasts a long time. It’s also eco-friendly, as it’s comprised of linseed oil, wood flour, and powdered cork.
- Laminate: This material has a backing layer, fiberboard core, a print layer that can resemble stone or wood, and a wear layer. Laminate is different in that it is placed directly on top of your existing flooring.
Vinyl Flooring Cleaning Tips
Check out these helpful vinyl flooring cleaning tips that will keep your floors sparkling all week long.
Once-a-Week Cleaning
On a weekly basis, you should at least be doing the bare minimum – vacuuming or dry mopping the floor to remove dust, dirt, and hair. For the cleaning portion, you can simply mix one cup of apple cider vinegar with a gallon of hot water, whereby the acidity will clear away dirt and grime without a soapy film.
Dip the mop in the bucket and start cleaning your floors. Make sure you wring it out well, as you don’t want puddles to form on your floors. Rinse the mop using hot, clean water.
Clean Scuffs and Stains
After the initial cleaning, you may notice stubborn stains that may remain behind such as from acidic substances like wine, ketchup, fruit juice, coffee, or tomato sauce. To get rid of those, make a paste of baking soda and water, gently rubbing it onto the floor until the stain lifts. Then follow it with a vinegar and water solution rinse.
If you have other, even more, stubborn stains such as crayons, ink, lipstick, or paint, find a soft-bristle brush and use it to apply rubbing alcohol to the area. Don’t use steel wool or brushes that are abrasive because these will scratch your floors. For nail polish stains, use nail polish remover.
Scuffs can be cleaned with WD-40 and a towel, followed by a cleaning with the vinegar and water solution.
Use Rugs and Doormats
While vinyl is very durable, you still want to do your part to protect it so it lasts for many more years.
Professional Cleaning
The best way to maintain a sparkling vinyl floor is to enlist the help of professionals at least once a year but preferably twice a year.
Call 1st Class Carpet Cleaning and Restoration Services at (248) 491-3088
Call us for the safest and most effective vinyl cleaning in Michigan. We will steam clean and sanitize your vinyl flooring at 210 degrees to remove dirt, bacteria, grime, and stains. We would be happy to provide you with a free quote and consultation at (248) 491-3088.
