Hardwood floorings are the costliest among dozens of floor types. Not just they cost you a lot but also need thorough maintenance. Maintenance, more than usual. So, one has to work very hard if there is hardwood flooring in the house.
No pain, no gain; the phase suits in the case of hardwood floors, pretty apt. If you have it, you are going to get a lot of praise, and the look of it will perhaps make you feel a thousand times better. It exemplifies beauty, no doubt in that. Therefore, we are not saying that hardwood floors are not worth the money. Albeit, they are.
Vinyl Planks
However, it is not within the budgets of many. There is a reason we have engineered hardwood floors of many kinds nowadays. Not just that, you can also get vinyl planks, which are exact replicas of some of the best and popular hardwoods. From majestic oak, pear, alder to hickory, Barnwood, apple, and ebony walnut.
They look ditto the same but cost you the amount you can afford. Then, if you have it on the flooring, very little chance is there to gauge it is not the real hardwood floor. So, if not actual hardwood, you can at least have the vinyl planks as a flooring. Such flooring doesn’t need specific maintenance to increase shelf life. It is basically a win-win situation for you.
However, although these don’t need maintenance as much as the hardwood floors, you still can’t put random cleaners on the vinyl planks.
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Keep in mind that one cannot replace flooring overnight. So, one needs to be very careful and rigid too to increase the shelf-life of the floor. So, what things you can use to clean vinyl planks, or is cleaning products safe for vinyl planks, we have the answer. When we already have the answer, let’s answer your queries in detail.
Things To Avoid
Never try to use a steam mop on a vinyl flooring. If you are using it, make sure the steam mop is made to clean a vinyl plank. The high-quality PVC material, also known as polyvinyl chloride used to make vinyl planks are waterproof, but they are not for tackling steam. The way a steam mop is designed and works; the adhesive that is causing the planks to stick is going to start loosening. They will slowly soften, and soon the planks will be in dire need of replacement. Or you will have to stick them with adhesive again.
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You must also avoid scrubbing the vinyl planks. These are alternatives to hardwoods and perhaps laminated to handle the toughest of the blow to avoid scratches on them. But if you scour the surface regularly, it will start losing its sheen and have unpleasant scratches all over. It will lose the smooth texture too.
Detergents and abrasive cleaners are also harsh on the vinyl planks. These leave a cloudy film or dull patch on the flooring. Even if it is clean, it seems like the floor is dirty and has a mess on it. So, make sure not to use harsh chemicals, solutions, and detergents on vinyl flooring.
Last but not least, never drench the vinyl flooring. Plain water is a big no as one can be really generous in using water to mop the floor. The vinyl flooring, as we said, is waterproof, but not all. And if you are dampening the surface every day with water, even the luxury vinyl flooring is going to start curling up from the corner. So, avoid mopping your vinyl flooring with plain water. However, if you are wiping it with water, make sure to dry the surface at once. Sounds tough right, we know.
Things To Use
As we have already cautioned you about the things you should not use on the vinyl planks, let’s discuss what you can use to clean it. Make sure you do proper dusting with a dry mop, vacuum, or a simple broom every day.If possible, twice a day is the best bet. Try to use natural products. And if you are using chemicals, then all you need to use is pH neutral chemicals. There are a few commercial cleaners available in the market which are specially made to clean the vinyl flooring.
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Microfiber Mop
Microfiber mop or cloth is super delicate on the vinyl flooring. It doesn’t leave a single scratch even if you are daily mopping the vinyl planks. A flooring might last for years, but to maintain its sheen, one has to be super careful. One slight mistake and the stain or scratch is going to glare from the otherwise smooth and clean surface. So, whatever you are using, water or cleaning solution, make sure to use it with a high-quality microfiber mop.
Apple Cider Vinegar
ACV is the best cleanser for vinyl planks. It can be a great product to use to clean the vinyl flooring. The acidity in the ACV will work great in removing any stain or grime. To mop the vinyl flooring with ACV, you will need to take one cup of ACV and will have to mix that to a gallon of boiled water. Your cleanser is ready, and you just need to damp the microfiber cloth or nylon pad to mop the floor.
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Dish Soap
You can also mix dish soap to hot water and use it to clean the vinyl flooring. Dish soaps tend to be mild as they are used to wash dishes that are related to the food we eat. So, when the cleaning product is mild, you know you can use it on vinyl planks. Just like the dishes, these are going to remove the stain from the vinyl surface without damaging it.
Baking Soda
For tough stains baking soda works like magic. Put some baking soda on the stubborn mess and let it sit for fifteen to twenty minutes. Once it’s set, mop the portion with a microfiber pad after damping it in hot water. Even if it is not removed from the surface at one go, do not be harsh. Instead, try the same process for a few days. Slowly, the stain will fade.
Vinyl flooring is pretty easy to maintain and requires basic products to clean. And it is pretty evident from the above discussion. So, if you want a stylish and appealing yet cost-effective flooring that looks exactly like wood, then vinyl planks are the best choice for you.
