Vinyl Flooring Maintenance

Maintaining flooring is vital to keep the life and appearance looking good for years to come. You will want to read the manufacturer’s brochure to ensure you follow their guidelines. The information below is a general guide but should not be trusted over the manufacture’s guidelines.

While your flooring is under 24 hours you will need to utilize extra care. You cannot move furniture on during the first day and should avoid heavy foot traffic. This time is vital for letting the adhesive properly dry. If the flooring has seams you will want to leave it alone for several hours to allow it to properly set. Damp mop the floor after the 24 hour peroid with clean warm water to remove any loose dirt from the installation.

Maintenance steps-

  • Sweep with a soft broom or dust mop. This should be done daily to help keep dirt or grit from accumulating on the floor which can scratch and dull the surface. Spill should also be wipe up immediately.
  • Damp Mopping should be done with the floor begins to look slightly dirty all over.
  • Before mopping you need to sweep or vacuum the surface. Damp mop with a sponge mop and warm water only pressing hard enough to loosen the surface dirt.
  • Do small areas at a time and wring the sponge out frequently to ensure that you are not redistributing the dirt. On larger floors you will want to change the water out as it gets dirty.
  • Washing the floor when damp mopping is not enough. First you will want to vacuum or sweep. Then You will want to use a specially formulated cleaner like Armstrong Once ‘n Done No-Rinse Floor Cleaner. You will mix the cleaner as directed and use a sponge mop to clean the floor and scrub the difficult spots. Wiping up the excess liquid.
  • If you need to rinse the detergent off the floor it is advised you use a seperate mop and bucket to really get the floor clean.
  • You never want to use a harsh or “soft” abrasive cleanser on the flooring because it will scratch the vinyl and can dull it.
  • If you need to bring back the shine on a high-gloss floor you will need to use an acrylic emulsion floor polish. The bottle will have directions for how to use these products.
  • On standard gloss flooring you should be able to keep the finish with routine maintenance but if necessary you can use a mechanical buffer with lamb’s wool bonnet or pad. How frequently buffing is require depends on the traffic on the floor and the level of shine you want. Most lost traffic areas only need to be buffed every few years.
  • Moving furniture and Appliances is another area in which you need to take great care. You will want to be careful to not gouge the floor covering in these situations. You do not want to push or pull appliances or heavy furniture on your floor. Using gliders is a great way to keep the floor safe while moving heavy items. The gliders help to distribute the weight evenly and keep the floor protected. If the item is especially heavy you may want to rent an appliance dolly.
  • Flooring also needs to be protected from appliances and furniture denting the floor. Most vinyl flooring can withstand 75lbs per inch. Hard plastic protectors are great for helping to protect the flooring.
  • Additionally, high heels and narrow tipped shoes can cause issues with your flooring. Keeping your home shoe free is a great way to protect your flooring from being damaged.

Other Precautions

Substances like asphalt, oil, fertilizers and other chemicals can cause issues for your flooring. Having mat with a soft backing to help collect dirt and other debris from being tracked in is an ideal option. You will want to replace them periodically to keep your flooring looking its best. Sunlight generally doesn’t affect vinyl flooring but excessive direct sunlight can cause fading or discoloration. Closing drapes during the day to protect form sunlight exposure is ideal. Silicone sealer around the shower or tub junctions is also advised to help keep the vinyl from getting wet and curling.