Durable and Eye-catching Flooring: Give Vinyl the Benefit of Cleanliness

Coming to understand all the advantages of vinyl flooring, it’s easy to see why it’s been such a popular residential and commercial choice for decades. First, there’s the low price people get attracted to, both initially for installation and over time with maintenance. And the fact it’s durable, resistant to scratches and spills, and provides a softer and warmer feel further adds to its value.

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Then, it’s the eye-catching aesthetics in the form of various designs, patterns, colours, tones and textures that resemble the natural look of wood and stone. And of course, I can’t forget to mention the ease of cleanliness which is a great property chore-wise, especially in this day and age when time is so precious.

Still, as durable and low maintenance as the stylish and luxurious vinyl flooring is, it requires some TLC. More so if you want to make the most of this investment by prolonging its lifespan and appearance, and minimising the cost factor. Here are some tips on how to give you vinyl floors the care they deserve.

Regular Dusting

Dust, loose debris, grit and dirt aren’t considered a big threat for this kind of flooring unless you get in the habit of sweeping daily, particularly around high traffic areas. If you let them set in for days, they can badly affect the finish. You may not think you need to sweep that often, but have in mind your skin sheds millions of dead cells every day that end up as dust (let that sink in!).

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As for the ideal brush you ought to use, even though vinyls flooring is resistant, you’d still be better off choosing a soft nylon-bristle brush since it would also come in handy with removing stains. The same goes for choosing the other cleaning tools. It’s best to stay away from the abrasive cloths, sponges, and scrubbers.

For the hard-to-reach spots, it’s best to use a vacuum. However, remember not to use an attachment on the cleaner that can cause any scratches to the surface, and look for a soft dust brush attachment instead.

Regular Mopping

When you handle this chore frequently, you won’t need to hire professional cleaning services, so you’d cut down on the extra costs.

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Once you’re done with the sweeping and vacuuming, it’s time to mop the floor with plain water. But avoid getting the whole mop wet with water dripping – the idea is to dampen it slightly. In some cases, water can make its way through the cracks and seams and end up causing the corners to curl.

Cleaners

If you’d like to sanitize your floor with the help of cleaners, it’s necessary to avoid any aggressive and heavy-duty chemicals and ammonia-based products so as to preserve the floor vinyl from damage.

source: precisecommercialcleaners.com.au

In addition, be sure to know your floor well, whether it requires wax or not in order to choose suitable neutral cleaners. Once you purchase them, it’s important to dilute them according to the instructions by the manufacturer.

Home Solutions

Some good cleaners that you may already have at home are mild liquid soap that you use in your dispenser holder and apple cider vinegar which comes in handy with disinfecting too. If you don’t want to use household bleach, vinegar can be a nice alternative.

You can use either one for removing grime and dirt. Or if there are some stubborn stains, you can try using both products by mopping with the soap first and then with the vinegar. The dilution should be a few drops of soap and a cup of vinegar to about four litres of water.

The downside of soap is it leaves off scum afterwards which is a magnet for dirt. So, whenever you clean, make sure to rinse well with a damp mop to remove it. And if you can, you’d be better off using two mops. And when it comes to using vinegar, the problem can be the smell. This is why floors treated with vinegar also require mopping up with a clean damp mop.

source: topclean.net.au

Removing Spills and Stains

As mentioned, water (or any liquid) may pose a bit of threat for vinyl flooring. So, whenever there are spills it’s best to wipe them up immediately before they get soaked in. In the case of stains, the cleaning product depends on the type of stain itself. With some, you could even use solutions you have at home.

For instance, accidents with hairspray on the floor are no match for shampoo – as long as you rinse it with water after you’re done with the cleaning. Non-abrasive cleaners diluted in warm water are the key for wine, juices, ketchup, and food stains like chocolate. In situations when you’ve run out of cleaner, a paste made of baking soda mixed with water can be of help too.

Bleach dissolved in water (1:4) is another blend you can try for the same stains. And for the scuff marks you leave off with shoes a nice scrub is recommended. There’s a rather unusual method that might also be efficient in removing them.

Tips for Protection

Prevention is always better than cure, as the saying goes, and the same is true for flooring. You can protect it from dirt and debris by adding mats, rugs and carpets on high traffic areas, as well as from scratches by getting adequate floor protectors for heavier pieces of furniture and appliances. If the finish needs to be restored, dry buff with a clean pad on a rotary polishing machine.