Caring for your Vinyl Floor

Caring for your vinyl floor and keeping its fresh feel and appearance is probably the easiest of all floor covering products installed in your new home.   The simplest way to keep your floor looking new is to wipe up spills as soon as they occur.  You should sweep or vacuum your floor regularly to remove loose dirt and debris which can scratch your floor.  Be sure to disengage your vacuum’s beater bar as it can visibly damage your vinyl floor.

When simply sweeping your floor is not enough, it may be time to get out your mop.  We recommend a sponge mop with warm water for most cleanings.  In the event it becomes necessary to be more aggressive with your cleaning, a mild solution of clear ammonia will generally do the trick.  Do not use soap or detergents to clean your floor as they can leave a film that will, over time, dull your floor’s finish.  After you have mopped your floor, we recommend a “fresh water” rinse over the entire floor to keep your vinyl floor shiny and clean.  Work only in small areas at a time and continually change your rinse water to keep from re-depositing dirt on your newly cleaned floor.  If the aforementioned tips do not return your floor to its factory fresh look, most manufacturers have cleaning compounds designed specifically for their products.  Please refer to your specific product information or manufacturer for further details for restoring your vinyl floor’s appearance.

DON’T

  • Use detergents, abrasive cleaners or “mop and shine” products – they may leave a dull film on your floor.
  • Use paste wax or solvent-based polishes.
  • Use a beater bar when vacuuming because it can visibly damage the floor surface.
  • Use highly abrasive scrubbing tools.
IMMEDIATELY AFTER INSTALLATION
  • Avoid walking on your new vinyl floor for at least 24 hours after installation.  This assures proper curing, setting and bonding of products.
  • The adhesive under your floor needs time to thoroughly dry after installation. Therefore we recommend that you do not scrub or wash your floor for five days.
  • For vinyl sheet, allow the seams to seal for 8 hours after seam application. This will ensure the proper seam bond and a seamless finish. If seams are disturbed before they’re dry, permanent damage may result.
PROTECTING YOUR NEW FLOOR
  • When moving appliances or heavy furniture, lay a plywood or Masonite panel on your floor and “walk” the item across it. This protects your new vinyl floor from scuffing and tears.
  • Use floor protectors on furniture to reduce the potential for indentation.  These are very common and may be found at almost any home improvement store.  As a general rule of thumb, the heavier the item, the wider the floor protector needed.
  • Be careful with rolling casters as they can damage your vinyl floor — we do not recommend them. If you choose to use them, the double wheel type are your best option.
  • Place a walk-off mat at outside entrances to reduce the  amount of dirt brought into your home. We do not recommend the use of rubber- or latex-backed mats because the chemical (antioxidant) used to keep the backing from becoming brittle can permanently stain your vinyl floor. We suggest a non-staining vinyl-backed mat or a woven rug that is colorfast.  Most of these products are identified “colorfast” by the manufacturer.