Best cleaner for shaw luxury vinyl plank

Are you tired of spending hours scrubbing and mopping your luxury vinyl plank flooring all day without results?

I found myself in the same situation years ago until I discovered a unique cleaning strategy that has maintained my flooring for almost a decade.

While the texture of vinyl planks gives them their premium appearance and durability, it also makes them accumulate dirt quickly. Over time, this dirt can build up and give your vinyl flooring a dull appearance.

But before you give up on cleaning and opt for replacing your flooring, here are five easy steps to clean luxury vinyl plank flooring. These steps have always worked for me and will save you time and effort. 

Table of Contents

• 5 Easy Steps to Clean Luxury Vinyl Plank Flooring
• Extra Cleaning Tips:  
• How Often Should You Clean Luxury Vinyl Plank (LVP) Flooring?
• Additional Tips for Luxury Vinyl Plank Flooring Maintenance
• Conclusion

To get started, you need to have some materials in place

Cleaning Supplies for Luxury Vinyl Plank Flooring

• Vacuum, dust mop, or broom
• Preferred Cleaning solution (commercial cleaner, apple cider vinegar, or dish soap)
• Bucket
• Water
• Mop
• Soft microfiber towel

Step 1: Dry Clean Vinyl Plank Flooring

Start by sweeping your luxury vinyl tiles to remove dust and debris. You can use a soft broom, a dry dust mop, or a vacuum and go over the floor several times to get all the dirt and dust.

However, ensure you use only a broom with soft bristles. Straw or plastic bristles and a vacuum with a beater bar attachment could scratch and damage the surface of the vinyl floor.

Step 2: Choose A Cleaner

There are several commercial cleaners you can use on your vinyl floor, but it’s a good idea to read the label before you do. 

For example, ammonia-based cleaners can be harmful to your health and damage your vinyl plank surfaces. Mop and Shine products will also likely create a film on the vinyl floor that attracts more soil.

Dish soap is another popular option for getting rid of grime and oil, but when used too often, it can wear down your luxury vinyl floors.

As a result, I recommend using a simple homemade cleaning solution for your weekly cleaning session. This method is not only effective but also economical. You also don’t have to keep buying expensive floor cleaners from time to time. 

Step 3: Preparing Your Cleaning Solution 

You can make a simple, effective cleaner for luxury vinyl plank floors by using natural substances that are proven to be effective when removing tough stains.

• Apple Cider Vinegar 

Vinegar is a great natural cleanser for luxury vinyl flooring. The acidity of apple cider vinegar removes dirt and debris without leaving a harsh chemical effect, making it eco-friendly. However, if you prefer to disinfect the floor as you clean, you can opt for distilled white vinegar.

• Dishwashing Soap

While dish soap may leave a film on the vinyl plank floor when used alone, adding a few drops to your cleaning solution helps to achieve better cleaning and fragrance. 

• Baby Oil

Adding a small amount of baby oil or essential oil to the rinsing vinegar-water solution helps to create a shiny vinyl floor. Just make you’re not pouring too much oil in the water to avoid buildup.

To make your cleaning solution;

• Fill a bucket with warm water
• Add ½ cup apple cider vinegar or white distilled vinegar to the water
• Add 1/8 tsp dish soap
• And ½ cup rubbing alcohol

Step 4: Mop with The Cleaning Solution

While vinyl plank flooring may be waterproof, you shouldn’t flood your floor with water when mopping it. 

Instead, soak your microfiber mop in the cleaning solution, wring it out thoroughly so that the mop is only damp and not wet, and wipe the floor starting from one corner of the room.

Step 5: Rinse and Dry Vinyl Plank Flooring

To finish your cleaning, rinse the mop in clean water, wring it out thoroughly, then wipe the floor a second time to remove the residue from the cleaner. This way, you will have a squeaky-clean vinyl floor.

After mopping, wipe up excess water from the floor with a clean, dry microfiber towel because standing water will damage the floor. Then, allow the floors to air dry.

If you have luxury vinyl tiles all over your home, it may be difficult to mop the entire house every week. So, I recommend that you zone your flooring for cleaning.  

While the areas with the highest foot traffic get deep cleaned once every week, Other areas, like your bedroom with little traffic, can be cleaned once a month.

How to Remove Tough Stains from Luxury Vinyl Plank Flooring

It is not unusual to find a stubborn spot that won’t quite come out after a regular cleaning session. When you find it, don’t panic; there are a few methods to completely remove clinging dirt and stains from your luxury vinyl plank flooring.

Scuff Marks

Scuffs can be scary to see on your vinyl flooring, but they aren’t permanent and can be removed using WD-40 lubricant. If you’re lucky to have one already lying in your garage. Just apply a tiny amount to the marked spot, then buff it gently with a soft cloth.

Food and Drink Stains

Food stains and discoloration caused by tomato sauce, ketchup, and grape juice are common on kitchen floors, while wine spills are common on living room floors. 

To remove food stains from your luxury vinyl plank flooring : 

• Make a paste with baking soda and a few drops of water. 
• Apply the paste to the stained area and rub gently with a soft cloth. 
• If the stain doesn’t go after the first attempt, repeat the process a few more times until the stain fades away. Then, wipe the removed filth with a damp cloth.

Makeup, Marker, and Ink Stain 

When you’re dealing with ink or marker stains on your vinyl floors, a small amount of Isopropyl alcohol (rubbing alcohol) on a soft cloth should do the trick. First, soak the soft cloth in alcohol, then gently rub the stain in a circular motion until it starts to fade.

How Often Should You Clean Luxury Vinyl Plank (LVP) Flooring?

It is advisable to dry-clean your Luxury Vinyl Tiles (LVT) floor with a broom or vacuum every day. And maybe twice if you have pets and kids at home.

If you’re a busy person, it’s okay to use a robotic vacuum that cleans for you on a timer even while you’re not at home. It is simple to use and will remove dirt and dust from your home daily with the least amount of effort.

In addition to everyday cleaning, you should also wet clean your luxury vinyl plank floor at least once a week. 

Additional Tips for Luxury Vinyl Plank Flooring Maintenance

Start a No-shoe Policy in Your Home: The easiest method to keep your luxury vinyl plank flooring clean is to minimize dirt on it. To achieve this, keep shoes off the floor by placing a shoe rack at your doorway, and encourage your guests to leave their shoes on it as they come in.

Place a Doormat at the Entrance: If you must wear your shoes, keep a doormat at the front door to wipe enough dirt off the shoes before stepping on your LVP flooring.

Use Floor Guards: Heavy furniture can easily scratch and harm your luxury vinyl flooring. But you can place rubber or felt protectors under your furniture to serve as a cushion and prevent scratches.

Avoid Using Harsh Chemicals: Detergents, abrasive cleaners, and solvent-based polishes can damage your LVT flooring. Also, read the manufacturer’s label before using any commercial cleaning product to ensure they are labeled safe for use on vinyl floors.

Avoid Using Steam Mops: It’s tempting to want to use a steam mop for cleaning your home because of the ease. However, your luxury vinyl plank floors cannot tolerate the high heat of the steam. So, stick with your microfiber mop.

Blot up any Spilled Food or Drink Immediately: Wipe up spills with water as soon as they occur. This helps to prevent future stains that may require harsh chemicals to clean.

Sweep Regularly: Allowing dust particles to remain on your vinyl floor for even a day will scratch the floor badly. So, always vacuum or dry mop your LVT floor regularly to eliminate surface dirt and keep your LVP flooring smooth and shiny for a long. 

Conclusion

Cleaning and maintaining your luxury vinyl plank flooring doesn’t have to be a hassle as long as you use the right products and techniques, 

• Sweep or vacuum regularly to remove dirt and debris.
• Mop with a mild cleanser or vinegar and water solution.
• Spot clean spills and stains as soon as they happen.
• Avoid harsh chemicals or abrasive cleaners, which can damage your flooring.

With just a little care and attention, your luxury vinyl plank flooring will stay looking like new for years to come.

I’d be happy to hear your thoughts on these tips and how helpful they have been to you, so feel free to leave a comment below!

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