Last Updated: August 12, 2024
Easy to admire and even easier to maintain — extend the life of your vinyl plank flooring and keep them looking their best with our simple floor care guide.
Originally invented as an alternative to linoleum flooring, vinyl flooring is lauded for its durability, temperature resistance, and affordability. One of its best features is its design and ability to mimic all sorts of materials: stone, wood, you name it. Here are the best cleaning options for your vinyl plank flooring — to keep it shiny and sturdy for as long as possible.
The latest iteration in vinyl is vinyl plank flooring, sometimes called luxury vinyl tile or luxury vinyl plank. It comes in large tiles or planks with increased density, rigidity, and durability — in realistic designs that mimic better than linoleum or older vinyl flooring types. Even more, it's super easy to install, with each piece clicking and locking together.
Vinyl plank flooring was designed to be easy to maintain, and indeed, the synthetic composition of vinyl plank makes it a piece of cake to clean — no expensive tools or cleaners needed!
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As tough as vinyl plank flooring is, it still needs regular cleaning to live its full lifespan of 10 to 20 years. We recommend vacuuming daily, wet cleaning two or three times a month, and treating stains ASAP to keep your vinyl floors looking bright and clean for years to come.
Caring for your vinyl plank flooring is simple. Here are the main things you’ll want to keep in mind while cleaning.
Tiny scratches—caused by all kinds of debris, dust, and dirt that collect on your floors—can dull the luster and appearance of your vinyl floor planking. We recommend vacuuming or dry-mopping every 1-2 days.
Whether your stain is fresh or stubbornly old, a soft nylon brush will help loosen it and remove it without scratching your floor. Dip your brush in a homemade baking soda water mixture, then scrub gently. If that doesn’t work, try isopropyl alcohol or hydrogen peroxide to remove the stain.
One of the best vinyl plank flooring cleaners is a cup of apple cider or white vinegar in a gallon of hot water. Dampen your mop, and mop your vinyl plank flooring in the direction of the planks. The vinegar will tackle dirt, grime, and stains without leaving behind streaks or a sudsy mess.
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Despite our best intentions, floor scratches are bound to happen. With vinyl plank flooring, you have a few options for treating light scratches and scuffs.
For scratches in particular, drip some olive oil (a natural alternative to WD-40) onto a microfiber towel, and buff the problem area. If the scratch is particularly deep, a vinyl floor sealer may do the trick of hiding it.
No! Vinyl plank flooring already has a coating covering each plank, giving it that shine and seal against moisture and damage. Applying wax, or wax-based products, will either eat away at the vinyl coating or just slide around and create a big mess.
If your vinyl plank flooring is in dire straights, consider applying a coating of specially made vinyl floor sealer instead.
Aside from regular cleaning, spot-cleaning, and scuff-treating, here are a few do’s and don’ts to keep your vinyl plank flooring looking clean and new.
Clean up spills ASAP
Substances with drastic pH levels like oil, vinegar, or lemon juice can cause discoloration and rough-looking stains. Wipe up these and other spills as soon as possible and treat stains with an appropriate cleaning solution.
Treat rust right away
Due to its synthetic makeup, vinyl plank flooring can occasionally fall prey to rust, as strange as that sounds. Don't worry! Simply wipe it away with a microfiber cloth dipped in a thin paste of baking soda and water.
Protect it from furniture
Install soft felt pads on the feet of heavy furniture to protect your vinyl floor — and don’t buy furniture with rollers. Like hardwood floors, vinyl plank flooring can easily be scratched and scuffed by sliding heavy furniture around, so lift it off the floor to move it.
Use highly-abrasive scrubbers
Abrasive sponges, steel wool, and other rough materials can easily scratch — and even eat through — the protective coating atop your vinyl plank flooring. Use a mop or soft bristled brush for a deep clean.
Use ammonia
Ammonia and vinyl plank flooring’s synthetic coating do not mix well. The ammonia breaks down the finish and causes damage to the flooring. Try one of the easier-going natural cleaning solutions or the gentle tools mentioned previously.
Use paste wax or solvent-based polishes
Because vinyl plank flooring is coated in a special polyurethane coating, it never needs waxing — and, in fact, waxes and solvent-based polishes you might use on other flooring surfaces can damage the topcoat and leave your floor with dull buildup.
At Grove, we want to be part of the solution, not the problem. We believe using plastic isn’t sustainable — period. Now it's time for you to take action too.
Over the next five years, we're removing plastic from every product we make and sell, like Seventh Generation natural household products. We’re committed to rethinking our products, transitioning our packaging, and leading our industry with full transparency.
We've found the best 6 cleaners for luxury vinyl plank flooring from top natural brands you trust. Have a look!
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Use this simple, but effective, cleaning checklist for your house to take the guesswork out of cleaning.