Bestlaminate Blog A helpful resource for your laminate, vinyl and hardwood flooring projects.
Vinyl plank flooring offers a fabulous alternative to hardwood floors. Vinyl plank flooring is not only much cheaper than hardwood flooring, but it is also much easier to maintain. When you take a few simple steps, you will be able to enjoy your vinyl plank flooring for several years. So, how to clean and maintain vinyl plank flooring?
Cleaning
Use a lightweight vacuum or broom to remove fine dirt and debris that builds up on flooring throughout each day. Depending on how much traffic your flooring endures, will determine how often you will need to sweep. Your vinyl plank flooring will maintain its natural look and beauty, when you take the time to sweep off the debris that can build up on a daily basis.
Everyday dish soap and water work great with a damp mop. Use a mop that you are comfortable using and if you’ve got a mud room with dirt buildup; it is OK to use a mop with a little scrub brush. However, be sure there are no wires or aggressively stiff bristles as it can damage your floor. This will allow you to remove the dirt that has been tracked in. This is the beauty of vinyl plank flooring, a little soap, water, and mop will bring your vinyl plank flooring back to life in no time at all. Be sure to rinse your flooring after you use a soap/water mixture. Fill a bucket with plain water and run your damp mop over your vinyl plank floor.
Maintenance
If your vinyl plank flooring needs a little more of a deep clean, just toss in a little white vinegar into a warm bucket of water. Again, take your damp mop and mop away. If you have a heavily soiled area; just take your mop and combine the dish soap with the white vinegar; this will liven up your vinyl plank flooring.
Strong, abrasive cleaners and wired brushed scrubbing pads should not be used on vinyl plank flooring. Some vinyl plank floors may benefit from a yearly coat of floor polish to protect against wear and tear. Be sure to read the manufacturer’s instructions so you can get the most wear out of your vinyl plank flooring.
Vinyl plank flooring works great in wet areas, heavily tracked in areas, as well as areas of your home that need a little extra tlc. When you do decide to install vinyl plank flooring, you will not have to worry about the maintenance issues that hang heavily over many types of flooring. Keep a broom and lightweight vacuum around and your vinyl plank flooring will be good to go 365 days of the year.
Have you recently installed vinyl plank flooring? Have any cleaning tips you would like to share? Write us in the comments below!
I am having vinyl plank flooring installed on most of the 1st floor. In spite of what the seller assured me, the ski glides on my walker scratched it. I replaced them with the “tennis ball” type glides and find they glide but not as easily as I would wish. And they don’t glide at all on the other flooring (very old hardwood). And they aren’t for outdoor use which means buying another walker for outdoors (I lack the strength in my hands to change the glides each time I go in and out.) Finding a solution to this has been frustrating. Although the cost would be high, I am wondering if I could use clear vinyl runners over the vinyl plank flooring. That would allow me to go back to the ski glides and not have to change walkers every time I go in and out. Rugs are not an option because the walker would just get tangled in them. And I want to see my beautiful new flooring. Or do you have any other suggestions for what I can do. Thank you.
Wanda, thanks for your question. Yes, unfortunately with ski glides, it is very easy for them to pick up dirt or debris and leave scratches as you move the walker around. I would not recommend adding vinyl runners over your floors, as most of the time they have a backing that can damage the flooring. You could look into the clear mats for underneath rolling chairs – polycarbonate mats or sheets to put over the flooring. We would recommend not using a rubber mat. You could also see how adding felt or a soft material to the bottom of your ski glides to see if that helps. It may not cause as much scratching.
There are “booties” sold for the skis that are made of several different materials. Good idea but horrible execution. Even if used solely indoors they are a shredded mess within 2-3 days so the cost adds up quickly and is ongoing. The problem with the skis is that the skis themselves are roughed up by being used outdoors on surfaces such as parking lots.
On the question of the runners, I think we’re actually talking about the same thing. The ones I’ve looked at have no backing. They are clear vinyl (because I want to be able to see my beautiful flooring through them) and are made of the same vinyl as the desk pads you suggested. If I understand you correctly, these should work and will not damage my flooring. I want to make absolutely certain that whatever solution I choose will not damage the flooring.
Hi Wanda, that’s great to hear you’ve found runners. They should not damage the flooring. Just double check it is not a rubber mat, as those can discolor the floors. Best of luck!
Used a steam mop and made a place on a plank. Is there any way to refinish it?
Hi Janice, thanks for the question. Unfortunately, I do not have any recommendations on fixing the surface other than replacing the plank.
Hi, I have Luxury Vinyl Plank Flooring (LVP) and used the Bona floor polish (Label said was safe for laminate and vinyl). I was watching a friends dog for a few days and it peed on the floor, so I cleaned it and cleaned the whole house (swept, vacuumed and mopped (water and dish soap)… now all the area where the dog peed is dull, and other areas that I mopped look like the polish is peeling. looks horrible. How do I remove the Bona Polish?
Hi Roxy, sorry to hear about this! We recommend staying away from any cleaner that has polish and wax in them. We haven’t tested this, but have heard Windex will work to remove the polish. Test it on a small spot first and see if it works!
The manufacturer of my flooring said it was not safe to use vinegar – which surprised me.
If you use dish soap, do you have to rinse?
Hi Arlene, thanks for sharing. Depending on the vinyl and manufacturer, they may specify different cleaning agents. If you use dish soap, you should dilute it with water. We would recommend rinsing with clean water after the dish soap to get rid of any dirt and grime it will pick up!
I now have Vinyl Plank Flooring all over my home. I have been cleaning with vinegar and dawn. Its so dull looking. Please someone tell me what to use to make it shine ? I cant find it any where
Hi Dana, we haven’t tested anything specifically, but we have had some good feedback from Armstrong Once n’ Done cleaner. You’ll see some good reviews! If you decided on it, be sure to test it in a small area first.
I installed some vinyl floor planks… Have 2 Pittbulls who track mud and dirt in. They also shed like the hair is running off their bodies…
Should I microfiber mop and use white vinegar? Or is any multipurpose cleaner usable.
Hi TL, either idea will work! Just make sure the multi-purpose cleaner is safe for vinyl. If you want to stay with a natural product, use the vinegar!
Are you familiar with Armstrong New beginnings and shinekeeper?
Armstrong is very secretive about how to apply, nothing on Youtube or the Armstrong web site.
Written instructions are spotty, but it looks tape off all walls, molding and painted areas, pour on 9 sf at a time, hands and knees, place it on, wait 2 to 3 minutes, scrub it in, remove with a towel then rinse.
Does not sound low maintenance to me…
The Shinekeeper sounds fairly straightforward.
Need help, not ready to spend 3 or 4 days once or twice a year taping, hands and knees.
We have a life…..
We just had this installed, thinking of having it removed, that would be a shame.
Do you have any suggestions on bringing it back to life or what to replace it with that will not take a lifetime of maintenance?
Hi Bill, thanks for the question. We have not specifically used or tested this particular product. We have heard positive feedback on Shinekeeper, however.
I’m wondering about your suggestion to use vinegar to clean the floor. The instructions that came with my life proof flooring says do not use vinegar on the floor. So which is it? Thanks
Christina – the best way to clean any floor is with a water and vinegar solution. However if the brand of flooring is suggesting something different – you should check with them as they would have the best suggestions.
Just had Shaw Versalick Vinyl Plank flooring installed yesterday. What is the best cleaning agent to use in it? Installer said we could use swiffer wet ones but we tried it and it streaked all over the place!! We don’t want to ruin our new flooring. I know the suggest vinegar and water but do we have to rinse it too? Sounds like a lot more work than we anticipated.
Thank you
Hi Cathy, thanks for reaching out! Post maintenance is very important for the life of your flooring. If you use vinegar and water, you do not have to rinse it. For this vinyl, I recommend following the manufacturer instructions listed here: https://shawfloors.com/flooring/how-to/vinyl/care-maintenance/how-to-clean-resilient-vinyl-flooring
I just got vinyl plankflooring installed in my house and I find it too dull. Can I gloss it up a bit to show all the grains etc?
Hey Kelly. Unfortunately no extra finish can be put on a vinyl floor as this could ruin the wear layer of the product.
I have new luxury vinyl tile installed in half of house ( living room bedrooms hallway etc and have a dog that has appeared to have left scratch marks all over flooring. Mopping doesn’t remove them . Was told by spouse not to use buffer cause it would remove thin top layer that makes it look like real wood. So my question is how do I remove scratches all over floor without damaging top layer of film/ flooring
Hey Amy! Unfortunately you can only remove the scratches by removing and replacing the planks. This is the only downfall on this type of flooring.
Amy, I don’t know how badly your floors are scratched, but the Sharpie trick can be used as a last resort for minor scratches in wood or vinyl. Find a Sharpie felt-tip non-permanent marker that is as close to the color of your flooring as possible. (It doesn’t have to be a Sharpie. Any brand will work.) Follow the line of the scratch with the pen. Before the ink thoroughly dries, wipe the ink lightly with a dry soft cloth in the direction of the scratch. Rub with the cloth until you no longer see the ink or the scratch. Obviously, this is not the recommended way to maintain flooring, but I’ve had some great results with the Sharpie trick on both flooring and furniture. Last resort only!
Thanks for sharing your trick Steve! We will have to test this in our office 🙂
Hi. Do you recommend stiffer wet mop for the vinyl floors?
Hey Debbie, while a swiffer would work, we would always recommend a water and vinegar solution to clean the floors 🙂
Can I use my Shark steam cleaner on low on my LVP?
Thank you
Hey Corinne, thank you for reaching out! Using a steam cleaner with LVP is not recommended as it could potentially ruin the top layer. Please let us know if you have any other questions.
Hi,
Can I use ammonia instead of vinegar to clean LVT plank flooring? If so, what is the ratio of ammonia to warm water? Thanks,
Dave
Hey Dave, I would only recommend usign a water and vinegar solution. I do not believe ammonia would be a good idea!
Someone put Pledge meant for hardwood on the Vinyl plank flooring by mistake. Will dish soap and water remove it or should we just let it wear off.
Hey Carolyn, thank you for contacting us with your concerns. I would just use a water and vinegar solution to clean it right off. Let us know if you have any other questions.
Just got Shaw lvt installed and seeing we can use our dyson dc24 and a Bissell crosswave pet pro plus to clean the floors
Hey Sean, thank you so much for reaching out. While that may be true for the floor you have, every manufacturer may specify something different. We would always recommend following the manufacturers instructions!
what is dawn dish cleaner what would be the equivalent cleaner in Australia??????? are you talking about a good quality washing up detergent?????
Hi Joanna, thanks for reaching out! Dawn dish soap is a brand of dish soap here in the US, but any everyday dish soap will get the job done!
Is it ok to use my Roomba programmable vacuum on my vinyl laminate floors?
Hi Joy, thanks for reaching out. It is okay to use a normal vacuum on vinyl flooring, so a Roomba should be fine. Please keep in mind, vinyl flooring is scratch resistant but not scratch proof. Please be sure there isn’t any debris under the Roomba, such as a stone, that could scratch up your floor while the Roomba is cleaning. Hope this helps!
Very proffessional! vinyl floors using the mildest possible method. sweep or vacuum it every evening, and wipe up spills right away.
That’s right! A well maintained floor will last and look great for many years. Thanks for your comment.
We have vinyl hardwood in most areas of our condo, when I walk barefoot I can feel something, crumbs, grit? but I have never been able to remedy this situation. Even daily vacuuming does not do the trick. Anyone with suggestions?
Hi Sheila, thanks for reaching out. Is the flooring hardwood or vinyl? We recommend sweeping the floor and mopping with a water and vinegar solution. Vinegar is a disinfectant and a natural, chemical-free way to remove dirt and grime. Simply mix a gallon of water with one cup of vinegar, and use a damp mop to clean your floor.
My Bona Microfiber mop came with a Bona Wet Pad. Can that be used on my Vinyl Plank floors?
We recommend reading the cleaning instruction on the Wet Pads that you purchased, because Bona has a large assortment of cleaning products designed for a variety of different floors. Be sure the product you are using is safe for vinyl flooring! Hope this helps.
If I want to clean my Vinyl Plank floor with water and viniger, what kind of mop do I use. My installer said to use the fiber mop and it should be barely damp. It seems like it will be hard to squeeze the water out, no?
Hi Judi, thanks for reaching out. We always recommend using a microfiber mop, as this will provide a good clean and will not damage your flooring. You can purchase mops with removable and washable microfiber pads, and this way you can squeeze out any excess water. We recommend sweeping the floor and mopping with a water and vinegar solution. Vinegar is a disinfectant and a natural, chemical-free way to remove dirt and grime. Simply mix a gallon of water with one cup of vinegar, and use a damp mop to clean your floor.
We had Smartcore Ultra vinyl plank put in our entire home this past week. There are a few “smear” marks on the floor’s finish. I used a Bona microfiber cloth initially to get up the dust, then Bona for Stone, Tile and Laminate recommended by the manufacturer for daily cleaning.
The smear marks still remain. Do you know what these might be or how I can get rid of them?
Hi Deb, thanks for your question. We have gotten a lot of feedback with Bona cleaners that it leaves a film on the floors. There’s a couple things you could try. The first is a mixture of dish soap, water and vinegar. If that doesn’t work, try Windex. Test this on a small spot first and see how it goes!
Why do the Gemcore lvt cleaning I destructions say NOY to use microfiber???
Hi Kathryn, thanks for reaching out. I am not sure why it would state this! Mircofiber cloths are some of the softest on the market. Whether you use microfiber or not, just be sure it is a soft material and does not have any roughness to it.
Used Mop and Glo on LPV as it stated was safe to do so, wish I hadn’t as it has left patches all over the floor and a footprint that won’t come out. I have tried using Vinegar and Dish Soap as suggested to try and remove the Mop and Glo, but still no luck. I’m horrified that Mop and Glo has done this on my newly laid flooring. Any other suggestions on what to use? I’m a bit reluctant to use ammonia due to the smell. Thanks!
Hi Karen! We have seen a few people use Windex with luck. Try it on a small area and see if it helps 🙂
I have been using Holloway House quick shine multi purpose floor cleaner. Says it is safe for vinyl. The problem aim having is I have a dog that drools a lot. He is a boxer and every where he drools leaves spots that I cannot get off. I have used water and vinegar with no results and have scrubbed the floor with a brush. Even in the kitchen when I have dripped water it leaves a spot. I have waterproof rigid core vinyl plank flooring. Any suggestions.
Hi Melanie, thanks for your question. One suggestion I have seen for drool is a Magic Eraser. We have not specifically tested this in-house, but it seems to be a solution for others with the problem!
Help, my LVP installer put Bora floor polish on my new floors and there are spray marks all over. I’ve tried to clean them with rejuvenate, vinegar and water and nothing works. Can I use a brush to get the floor polish out of the grooves…they are shiny???? My brand new floors look horrible.
Hi Dana, thanks for the question. I am sorry to hear about this! It is very important to never use any polishes, conditioners or waxes on your LVP. Have you tried windex? There are some claims this may work! Test it on a small portion and see. As far as a brush goes, use one with very soft bristles to test.
I love my vinyl planks but please tell me what kind of rugs Can I use? I need a runner rug but what kind of backing do I need since some people say certain rugs cause your floor to turn yellow
Hi Patti, great question! Look for rugs that have a natural backing, such as cotton, jute, regular woven backings. Some rugs with PVC, latex or rubber backings can cause vinyl to discolor.
Along these same lines, I have an office chair and I am afraid the wheels will eventually harm my new LVP floors. I was thinking of getting a clear mat for under my chair but most I have seen are made of PVC and vinyl. Would you have any recommendations?
Hi Dawn, thanks for reaching out. We understand your concern. Although we can’t recommend a specific brand or type of flooring mat, we recommend you look for a clear floor protector that is intended for use on vinyl plank flooring. This should help prevent any damage that you might be concerned about! Generally speaking, chairs with normal use are not a major concern on LVP flooring. Hope this helps!
I found excellent pads made if soy on the RugPad USA website. They cut them one inch smaller than your area rug, no matter what size. We have them under every rug for safety. That being said, I find my new LCT flooring to be a HUGE pain in my rump. So many limits on cleaning, conflicting recommendations such as the use of vinegar (some sites say absolutely NOT) and now the whole backing of area rugs. Plus my poor pups keep falling-this the multiple area rugs. I guess my research was not as thorough as I thought. I’m actually sorry I went this route.
Glad you found some great natural rug pads! We will have to look into them to recommend. I am sorry to hear you’re unhappy with your floors. Vinegar is safe to use and any cleaner specified for vinyl.
can you use a floor polish on vinyl plank flooring…..if so which do you recommend.
Hi Lisa, we haven’t tested any product in particular that we can recommend, but there are several reviews for Armstrong Shine Keeper that seems to work well on vinyls! We trust the Armstrong brand, as we sell their products. With anything, be sure to test a small area first.
I just had my flooring installed and have concerns my contractor skipped steps. I am noticing between a few of the planks that a lot off dirt and debris is collecting in the spaces. He has to come back and do another room so he left supplies behind. I found a small container of minwax wood putty that it appears he used. Is this ok? And if so how do I use this so I can fill the cracks myself sooner than later so stuff doesn’t continue to build up. Thank u
Hi Heather, sorry to hear about your installation concerns! Your flooring should not be experiencing any gaps after being installed. If you have a bevel edge, then some debris could accumulate in the bevel, but it’s important to not let debris pile up there. When you’re installer comes back, I would let him know the areas of concern. There are fillers you can use on scratches, but we do not have exact experience with this product. We’d recommend asking your installer how he used it and following the directions on the product.
Please , is it ok to use Shark steam mop on vinyl plank flooring> just plain water no vinegar.
Hi Sandra, thanks for your question! We do not recommend using a steam mop on your vinyl floors. The direct heat could cause some issues with the planks. We’d stick to a mop with some water and vinegar!
Hi, I had my lifeproof vinyl wood plank flooring installed last year. My pest control guy is coming by tomorrow to spray and I was needing to know if it is safe for him to spray my new floors. He sprays around all the baseborads.
Hi Sharon, thanks for your comment. Vinyl flooring is waterproof, so any moisture from the pest control should not be a major concern. If there is a lot of excess moisture by the baseboards, we would advise wiping it down so there is no moisture sitting on the surface for extended periods of time. In terms of the pesticide he is using, we cannot be certain how the chemicals will react with your flooring. We recommend checking with the pest control company to ensure the chemicals they will be using will not harm your flooring. You can also reach out to the manufacturer of your floor to be certain about the safety of any specific chemicals or products that will be used. Thanks!
can I use a non-electric bissell floor sweeper with my armstrong ultra vinyl plank floor
it has a rotating brush but I don’t think its as strong as a beater bar
Hi Albert! Without looking at the sweeper, I cannot be 100% sure. It should be fine if it is a lightweight sweeper, but just keep in mind vinyl is a softer surface. You could test it out in a small area to make sure it does not scratch or mark the flooring.
Can you use Mr clean or glass cleaner windex to clean water proof vinyl floors
Hi Fred, thanks for your question! Mr. Clean should be fine as long as it doesn’t contain any waxes or polishes. We’d stay away from Windex and stick to floor specific cleaners.
I have seen you mention windex for spot cleans is that still ok?
Hi Shauna, yes! Apply it to the cloth and it usually can remove some tricky spots.
I have read on many sites about footprints, scuffs and in my case vibram soled boot prints on new LVP floors from many different manufacturers. Ive tried everything I could find including the vinegar/dawn solution always with microfiber cloth but as soon as the area would dry the prints would be back. Today I found a cleaner I’m hoping is the answer. It’s called Advantage 20x Multi-Purpose cleaner by Diversified Products Inc. I used it full strength with a microfiber cloth and let it dry. I did not rinse it. Miraculously the prints are gone, hopefully for good so I can go back to vinegar and water. It contains an Emulsion Agent which I believe cuts the film that is often left on the planks after the manufacturing process. It is also non-toxic, biodegradable and contains no phosphates and is safe for pets.
Thanks for the comment, Claudia! We are happy to hear you found a solution that works for you.
Can I use pine- sol
Hi Rita, thanks for the question! We would recommend staying away from these types of cleaners, as the ph levels are high and can cause damage after continued usage. Pine Sol also does not flat out say “vinyl” is an acceptable surface on their website.
Where can you purchase Advantage 20X?
Hi Barbara, it looks like you can find it on Amazon!
Thank you claudia!
I have recently had marketplace evp flooring installed, we sweep and dry mop a lot but when we go barefoot in the house it still seems to get our feet dirty, what can we use to clean the floor with? Thanks!
Hi Janice, thanks for reaching out. In addition to sweeping and dry mopping your floor, we recommend mopping with a water and white vinegar solution. Vinegar is a disinfectant and a natural, chemical-free way to remove dirt and grime. Simply mix a gallon of water with one cup of vinegar, and use a damp mop to clean your floor. If you have a heavily soiled area, you can combine some dish soap with the white vinegar. Please let us know if you have any other questions!
Thank you so much!
what is a damp mop? once that mop hit the water it not damp anymore. And than when you rinse it and reuse it’s not damp anymore. what, you suppose to have more than one mop i’m confused ??♀️ there no such thing as a damp mop.
Hi Mary! I think Viena was just trying to say using a mop that isn’t dripping with water. It is a vinyl, so water being on your flooring will not harm it, but it will just take longer to dry. You could also use a damp household mop, such as a Swiffer.
Wringing out a wet mop will give the mop the desired dampness.
how do you get rid of the little tar spots on LVP? since they tar and chipped our road I am seeing more and more little tar spots on my floor. Don’t want to put anything harsh on them.
Hi Kris, thank you for your comment. First, we recommend gently removing excess tar residue with your fingernail (avoid using sharp objects, as they can scratch your flooring). You can use a small amount of acetone or isopropyl alcohol on vinyl flooring, and use a paper towel or cotton pad to gently scrub the tar spot. Finally, you can clean the surface by mopping with a water and white vinegar solution. Vinegar is a disinfectant and a natural, chemical-free way to remove dirt and grime. Simply mix a gallon of water with one cup of vinegar, and use a damp mop to clean your floor. Please let us know if you have any other questions. Thank you!
I accidentally used my Holloway House floor shine instead of Holloway House cleaner. I now have areas that have a buildup and I can’t remove them. Help
Hi Kathy, what type of flooring did this happen on?
I’m not Karen, but I have the same problem. HH shine used on LVP and it looks awful and splotchy. I’ve tried vinegar and water to no avail.
Hi Lisa, I’m sorry to hear about this! You may want to try putting a few drops of dish detergent into a bucket of water to see if it will help de-grease the polish. You could let it sit on your floor for 15-20 minutes. If that doesn’t work, you may be able to find a vinyl floor polish that will help bring the shine back in those areas. It’s hard to say without seeing it 🙂
I have recently bought a house with vinyl for. However some corners have peeled and I can actually lift them up. What can I do to fix it and how long vinyl floor would last? Cheers
Hi Huy – How long vinyl flooring lasts depends on the manufacturer’s warranty, which differs per brand, and it depends on how well the floor was cleaned and maintained. If your vinyl is a sheet vinyl or a glue down vinyl, you can glue the corners back down to extend the life of the floor you currently have, but you may want to consider looking into new flooring in the near future if you are having problems. You can browse our website and order free samples on our website at http://www.bestlaminate.com.
I recently ordered LVP click lock planks to closely match the timber laminate flooring that was installed in my extension. The finish on the timber floor is glossy but I was unable to find any vinyl planking in anything but a matte finish. I hope to be able to apply vinyl polish to the floor to give it some semblance of shine but the manufacturer is telling me this would void the warranty. Are they just being uktra cautious? Why wouldn’t a reputable vinyl floor polish be okay to use on LVP? Also is there any ingredient in floor polish which is best avoided on LVP? Thank you for your help.
Hi Andrea – If the manufacturer of the flooring says that applying a vinyl polish will void your warranty, then you should listen to your manufacturer. Voiding your warranty means that if anything goes wrong with your floor, the manufacturer will not help with reimbursing the cost of your floor for repairs. We would highly advise that you follow their advice.
If I use the dish soap and vinegar solution do I need to rinse the floor afterwards? I have the vinyl planks.
Hi Michelle, You should not need to rinse the flooring afterwards, but you can rinse your floors with a damp mop and plain water if you so choose.
Can I use CitraSolv to clean my Mannington Cortex luxury vinyl plank flooring?
Hi Martha, thanks for your question! If you want to go natural with cleaning, we would recommend a 1 part vinegar, to 3 parts water solution. Do not use any products not specified for vinyl flooring. Products with added de-greasers and soaps can leave a film on your vinyl flooring.
MY HUSBAND HAS CDIFF CAN I USE BLEACH ON THE MY VINYL PLANK FLOORS?
Hello, thank you for your comment. We do not recommend using bleach on vinyl plank flooring. We recommend cleaning vinyl flooring with a water and white vinegar solution. Vinegar is a disinfectant and a natural, chemical-free way to remove dirt and grime. Simply mix a gallon of water with one cup of vinegar, and use a damp mop to clean your floor. If you have a heavily soiled area, you can combine some dish soap with the white vinegar. If you are ever unsure about what products and chemicals can be used, we suggest reaching out to the manufacturer of your floor to be sure it is safe to use! Please let us know if you have any other questions.
I moved into an apartment with marred, scratched vinyl plank floors, probably from movers. Some scrapes took the shiny finish off. Can I polish it out somehow?
Hi Carey! There are vinyl flooring polishes that you can try to see if it will help with the shine. You can find them at big box stores or online. We’d recommend trying to find one made from the brand of flooring you have.
We just had new vinyl waterproof flooring installed in our kitchen and hallway. It looks dull to me, what can be done?
Hi Patricia – We always recommend to check with your manufacturer first to see what type of flooring cleaner your manufacturer recommends to return your floors’ shine. But for most floors, you can use a mixture of 1 tablespoon + 1/4 white vinegar to each 1 gallon of warm water and mop with a damp mop. This should bring back your shine!
We live in an apartment that’s got vinyl plank flooring sheets down on it and we mop it using floor cleaner and warm hot water then clear rinse mop it again and it seems the very next day when our grandchildren are walking on a Barefoot their feet come up black I’m just wondering if there is a massive buildup of dirt on the flooring or what’s going on it’s getting kind of frustrating because I’m doing everything I can to keep my floors clean but it seems like as soon as I’m done mopping at the next day they feet are dirty I don’t know how long the floor has been in the apartment I’m just wondering if the wear layer could be gone and that’s why their feet get dirty.
Hi John – We’re very sorry to hear your frustration. Luckily, this should have nothing to do with your wear layer. It could be that there is a lot of dirt being tracked into your apartment or maybe it has been a while since your air ducts have been cleaned and dust from the vents is being blown in. Make sure all guests remove their shoes and place rugs at all entrances and see when your air ducts were cleaned last. Your floor cleaner could also be the culprit. Some floor cleaners claim to clean your floors, but will actually leave a film that will trap dirt and dust – making you mop more and making you purchase their product more.
Before mopping again, we would first recommend vacuuming or using a broom and dustpan to get up any loose dirt. Next, create a mixture of 1 tablespoon dawn dishsoap + 1/4 white vinegar to every 1 gallon of warm water and mop your floors with a damp mop. Be sure to dump out your mop water frequently and make a new mopping solution, so you are not pushing the dirt around.
We really hope this helps you!
My cat peed and it seeped down under because of how my floors were installed not I have the company coming out to redo it because it should have been sealed so this didn’t happen, any help on what to do if the company won’t come through I can’t be around cat pee smell, my allergies are real bad!!
Hi Debi – I have cats that have had accidents in my home and the best product I’ve found is Nature’s Miracle Just For Cats No More Spraying Spray. It works WONDERS. I would try this paired with a black light made for finding cat urine, which you can get at any pet store. Use the black light to find the urine, use the spray, and wipe the spot away! I would then recommend leaving a window or two open to help clear out any lingering smells for a couple hours.
If this doesn’t remove the cat urine smell, and the company doesn’t come out to fix your floor, you will unfortunately have to still replace the floor and underlayment yourself. Because if the cat urine seeped into the wood locking system and the porous underlayment underneath, the smell will probably not come out. I really hope the Nature’s Miracle spray and the black light work for you as it has done me in the past!
We just had 2 new LVP floors installed and need to know how to clean it. You recommended using 1 tablespoon Dawn dish soap and 1/4 white vinegar to make a cleaning solution for LVP. Is that 1/4 TSP, TBSP, CUP, bottle, or what? I’m uncertain what amount you are suggesting. Thank you.
We recommend 1 c. Vinegar to 1 gallon of water with about 1 tbsp of of dish liquid. For a smaller spray bottle, around 32 oz., you can use 1/4 c Vinegar with a few drops of dish detergent and fill with water. Hope this helps!
Is swifter dry and Swifter wet ok to used on Cortec Enhance vinyl plank floors?
Hi Jill, great question! Yes, these products should be OK to use. Just make sure you are not using any cleaners with polishes or waxes in them. COREtec is waterproof, so the wet jet will be a great option. Let us know if you have any additional questions!
This is exactly the same problem I have. Dirty feet from what should be a clean floor. How frustrating.
We are sorry to hear you are frustrated. What floor is it exactly? Perhaps it might be helpful to reach out to the manufacturer for special care instructions for your specific floor.
Hi. I have a new vinyl floor. But my big issue is how to clean it. I have read many Q&A here, but my problem and tensions go high, because I can’t mop too much. So my question is, is a steam vacuum good for cleaning vinyl flooring?
Hi Umaira – You should never use a steam mop on your vinyl flooring. The steam is too humid and hot, which can warp the vinyl planks or cause damage to your vinyl flooring’s wear layer. You only need to mop your vinyl flooring when you notice that sweeping is no longer sufficient, or mud is tracked through your home, or other spills occur. Regular sweeping with a broom and dustpan or a vacuum with the beater bar turned off is the only regular maintenance you need.
My vinyl floor cleaning instructions say to not use vinegar as a cleaning agent on ENGAGE vinyl Products. Be sure to read your floors cleaning instructions.
Hi Jenny – We do recommend that you follow your flooring manufacturer’s instructions first and foremost. Our blog post on how to clean and maintain vinyl plank flooring is simply a recommendation for most vinyl plank flooring, but there will be exceptions. We do not sell Engage vinyl products, so we are not familiar with this floor’s cleaning and maintenance instructions. Thank you for sharing, Jenny!
I have vinyl plank flooring. Right after I mop with just water or a natural ph balanced cleaner, my kids or dog walk on the floor and it’s marked up again. Can I use orange oil diluted with water and vinegar on the floors to clean them?
Hi Stacey, thanks for the question! I believe Orange Oil is used for wood surfaces, so this wouldn’t be the ideal solution for your vinyl. You can just use 1/4 c. white vinegar to a gallon bucket of water, and you will have a natural, disinfecting solution that should do the trick! No need to add anything extra. 🙂
Howdy! My wife was wondering if we could use a floor mate to clean our new flooring, it has plastic or nylon bristles on them little brushes that scrub and just curious if it would hurt the rugged finish, thanks George
Hi George – When using any vacuum cleaner, it is recommended that you raise the height of your vacuum, or disable the bristles, so the bristles do not touch the floor. Any harsh scrubbing action can potentially grind the grit and dirt into your hard surface flooring – causing it to scratch! So, it is okay to use your Floormate – as long as you disable the bristles, or raise the bristles high enough so they do not scrub the floor! If you have any questions, please feel free to respond to this comment!
Can I use Lysol Multi-purpose cleaner on vinyl plank flooring?
Hi Tracy – We do not recommend using Lysol on vinyl flooring. Spraying this cleaner directly on your flooring would be too harsh and could run the risk of discoloring your flooring!
We recommend a simple solution of 1 cup vinegar to 1 gallon warm water. Dampen your mop or a microfiber cloth with the solution and clean! If you’re finding that you need a little more cleaning power, you can also add 1 tablespoon of Dawn dish soap to the solution for extra cleaning power.
I hope this helps! Happy cleaning!
HI,
I already have a long scratch mark on my vinyl planking, only after two weeks.
My fault, I dragged a very light piece of furniture!. Since this was called life proof, I assumed that it could stand up to this.
What can I do besides buying a repair kit?
The repair kit sold at Home depot has many different color options. I just need one color. Thanks
Hi Mark – I’m sorry to hear that your vinyl flooring has already been scratched! Unfortunately, vinyl flooring can scratch easily if you do not take the proper precautions.
There are two main reasons why vinyl flooring gets scratched:
1. Abrasive material gets caught between the leg of the furniture and the floor, which scratches the floor when the leg is dragged
2. The bottom of the furniture is sharp, causing a scratch when it is dragged over the vinyl
I would recommend that you place felt pads underneath all of your furniture legs to prevent any further scratches from occurring. You can find these felt pads at any home improvement store. You can find more tips on Protecting Vinyl Flooring on our Help Pages.
There are two solutions to repairing a vinyl flooring scratch:
1. The simple solution: use a vinyl flooring scratch repair kit
2. The complex solution: replace the damaged planks with brand new flooring planks
If you would like to take the complex route, I would suggest looking over our How to Repair Vinyl Flooring guide on our Help Pages as it will help you with replacing planks for floating and glue down vinyl flooring installations.
If you need any further help, please feel free to reply to this comment or send us an email at support@bestlaminate.com. We hope our information helps you!
I know this sounds crazy, but what about spraying a mixture of Clorox with Mr. Clean. I have also moped with Clorox and water. I have the vinyl planks. It seems to do a good job. Could this hurt the floors?
Hi Teresa – First, I want to warn you to NEVER mix bleach with other cleaners. This can create dangerous fumes that can permanently damage your lungs or even kill you.
Now that the danger warning is out of the way, you can certainly use a mixture of bleach and water to disinfect and clean your vinyl flooring. On Clorox’s website, they recommend 3/4 cup Clorox to 1 gallon of water. They also recommend to never use straight bleach on your vinyl flooring as this can stain your vinyl flooring. We would recommend to do this type of cleaning sparingly as it can be harsh on your flooring and the fumes of bleach can be strong. Be sure to ventilate your home when mopping with a bleach + water mixture.
Hello I have newly laid Vinyl plank flooring it is beautiful. Question can you post pictures of the mop styles used on the flooring please. I like Swiffer but it just lightly barley does much. I am concerned with what I will use. I do not want to use the wrong micro mop…………
Hi Siri, it does not matter the type of cloth you use on your laminate floors. What you have to be careful of is how wet your mop is when you are mopping. You want to make sure to wring it out so your mop it damp when you are mopping the floor and there are no pools of water left on the floor. I hope this helps you! If you have any other questions, please feel free to reply to this comment or send us an email at support@bestlaminate.com.
Hi Ashley, Thanks for replying. My wife brought home BONA Wood Floor wet pads is it OK to use on my Luxury Vinyl Plank Floors through the house?
You’re welcome, Siri! The BONA Wood Floor wet pads should be alright to use on your vinyl flooring, so long as you are not over-saturating the floor with the cleaning liquid. However, the formula they use on the pads may not be the most ideal floor cleaner for your vinyl flooring. Vinyl is not a wood product, so their formula could make your vinyl look dull. If this happens, you can clean your vinyl with a ratio of 1 tablespoon Dawn dish soap to 1 gallon of warm water and it should remove any residue. We would recommend looking at what the manufacturer of your flooring says to clean your vinyl flooring with so you do not void your warranty. I hope this helps!
Can I use swifter wet mop on laminate flooring
Hi Char, thanks for your question. You can use a Swiffer wet mop on laminate flooring, just be sure to use the cleaner specified for hard surface flooring. Also, if you are using the wet jet version, be careful of excess or pooling cleaner.
Can I use the product called once and done on my new Armstrong Luxury vinyl Floor Plancks ?
Yes, this is an Armstrong brand cleaner that should be fine on your Armstrong brand LVT floors. Just be sure you purchase the concentrate specific for vinyl and resilient flooring!
I moved into an apartment with brand new vinyl floors 4 months ago. In the areas that get the most traffic, the shine has disappeared so that the planks are dull and look stripped. Should this be happening after only 4 months? I sweep frequently and have damp mopped, using only water, a few times. Is there something else that I need to do? Or is the flooring defective?
Hi Kathy – Since I am unable to see your floor, I cannot give you a definite answer as to what your issue is, but I am happy to help you try and solve it!
Since you are only using water to clean your vinyl flooring, there still might be dirt build-up collecting on the floor’s surface, which would be causing your floor to become dull. We recommend filling a bucket with warm water and then adding 1-2 tablespoons of Dawn dish soap per gallon of water. By adding the soap after the water, it will reduce the risk of bubbles which will cause your floor to become sticky once dry. Dampen a mop and using this to clean your floor. You can also dampen a microfiber cloth and scrub gently on your hands and knees, if you want to be more thorough. If this brings back the shine once dry, we would recommend cleaning your floors using a mixture of 1/4 cup vinegar to 1 gallon of warm water to clean your floors, or special vinyl flooring cleaner, moving forward. Sometimes water just isn’t enough to get everything up off of the floor.
If this first step does not bring back the shine to your floors, your floor’s wear layer may be defective. We would recommend calling the flooring manufacturer to start the claims process so your flooring can be replaced. You can usually find this information on the flooring box, the installation pamphlet that came in the box of flooring, or on the flooring website.
I hope this helps you! If you have any further questions, you can reply to this comment or send us an email to support@bestlaminate.com.
Hi Kathy, I just purchased vinyl and the one I chose wouldn’t be called shiny. I haven’t seen your floors but perhaps you have something similar. You might want to ask the person who purchased the flooring. Hope this helps.
Mine aren’t shiny either. It’s not like hardwood.
Cleaning with a water and vinegar solution should help clean off any surface residue and restore original shine. Generally speaking, vinyl flooring will not have the same shine as natural hardwood flooring.
I have had vinyl plank flooring for two years and have had a terrible time with sticky residue. Let me also say I have four senior long haired dogs, two of which are dribblers. US Floors said to use a pH neutral cleaner on it which is not supposed to need to be rinsed. It didn’t work. The list of other things that haven’t worked includes Swiffer Wet Jet, vinegar and water, plain water, Bona tile and laminate cleaner, Pledge tile cleaner, and a very expensive natural cleaner. I use microfiber mops after vacuuming. What happens after that is the floor, which covers 1200 or more square feet, looks great until a person or dog walks on it when the paw print or shoe print is visible. In addition, even after cleaning, the floor seems dirty when wiped with a paper towel, even making me think the finish is coming off! Is anyone out there who can help?
Hi Mary, sorry to hear about your struggle with cleaning your vinyl. Have you tried dish soap? We’d recommend letting the cleaner soak on the floor for an extended amount of time, 15-30 minutes, so it can penetrate whatever is creating the residue. If you feel it may be a finish issue, you could reach out to the distributor in which you bought it from, and discuss warranty options. Hope this helps!
I just moved into a brand new house with vinyl plank flooring. The floors had a residue that no one could get up not even the manufacturer of the floors. So, they had a professional cleaning crew come in. The lady immediately recommended vinegar and water. So she put a mixture of water and vinegar in a spray bottle, sprayed the floors and mopped it on her hands and knees using micro fiber clothes! BAM!!! finally!!!! clean and pretty floors. I will never use anything but vinegar, water and microfiber clothes. I hope it wont be too hard to maintain now. Hope to hear that your floors come clean too!! NEVER use cleaners like Bona, mop and glo or murphys oil on your floors! These cleaners cause residue on vinyl floors, in my experience!
So glad that the vinegar and water worked for you, Jeannie! We definitely recommend using this for cleaning vinyl and laminate flooring. We couldn’t have said it better ourselves!
Hope my husband didnt already ruin our brand new luxery vinal plank. He used our window cleaner that has alcohol & lavender oil in it ?
There could be some hope, Jewel! Have you tried mopping with vinegar and water? Use 1 cup white vinegar to 1 gallon warm water and use a damp mop, or use microfiber cloths and scrub on hands and knees. If you’re still seeing lots of residue, try a mixture of 1 cup white vinegar + 1 tablespoon Dawn dish soap to 1 gallon of warm water. We recommend using only a vinegar and warm water mixture to clean your vinyl floors. It’s gentile and leaves no residue. Hopefully this helps you! If you have any other questions, please feel free to reply to this comment, or email us at support@bestlaminate.com.
Same here. Footprints from children and ourselves everywhere and no matter what I do I can’t get rid of them. I tried Swiffer wet and Mr clean and vinegar and water. I hand scrubbed with the vinegar mix and a microfiber cloth and all that happened is now the spot looks duller. The footprints are still there but they are also duller. I don’t know what to do with this floor. It’s only a month old and I’ve had this problem right from the start.
I’m very sorry to hear about the issue you’re having with your floor! You didn’t mention what floor exactly you have, but generally we recommend a mixture of 1 tablespoon Dawn dish soap + 1 cup of vinegar to every 1 gallon of warm water. Try hand scrubbing the trouble area to see if this removes your footprints.
If this doesn’t remove the footprints, we would recommend contacting the manufacturer of your flooring about the issue and filing a claim. There is a slight possibility that the wear layer on the floor is defective and this is why your floor looks dull and footprints are staining your flooring. I hope this information has been helpful!
I had the piano finish installed in my kitchen and ldry rm. Looks beautiful. Interestingly, some water from a animal water holder spilled on the floor and got under the planks and warped approximately 8-9 planks. I called the same supplier I used for installation and he recommended a installer. He came out and said he would get back to see if he could purchase another case and never got back with me. I don’t know who to call to hire for repairs and for this and many other reasons, would not recommend this type of flooring for kitchen & or ldry room. I am heart sick to see this accident failure. Beautiful, but too risky in much used water area.
Failed.
Check BBB (rated A) laminate flooring installers in your area.