How To Clean LVP

Known as one of the most pet-friendly and durable flooring options, luxury vinyl planks are the perfect fit for active households. If you are looking to invest in this amazing product, one of the first things you should look into is cleaning methods so you understand how to properly maintain your floors. Because of its unique characteristics, there are certain tips and tricks to cleaning that every LVP owner should know.

What's The Best Way To Clean LVP?

Keeping a clean floor, in general, is a good rule of thumb to have. For everyday dirt and dust, it is best to sweep/Swiffer or vacuum (with no beater bar) throughout the week. This is especially important in long-term care when you have furry friends that like to shed their coats. Without picking up hair and dirt consistently, you can grind it into the flooring which makes deep cleaning more difficult and wears out the vinyl itself. The grit of even the smallest particles acts almost like sandpaper to your floor. By tracking it around with shoes and feet (or paws), the finish of the LVP will start to wear down over time. As a side note, it’s best to not use a steam cleaner/sweeper. While vinyl planks are quite durable and water-resistant/proof, they are not meant to handle steaming.

"....you should not clean luxury vinyl flooring with bleach, ammonia, or any high-pH detergents"

To help with the dirt issue, it’s helpful to have doormats to catch the initial outside debris from coming into your home. For the times when you want more than just a dust or vacuum, a mop and bucket will be your best friend. Since standing water can damage or stain vinyl flooring, you will need to use a microfiber mop as opposed to a string mop when you’re cleaning. When mopping most floors, making sure to thoroughly wring it out before you start is also essential to avoiding damage to your LVP. Before we move onto specific cleansers to use, it is always good to do your own research. Each flooring brand is different and might require special maintenance. Make sure to look up yours with a simple Google search or read the care instructions. Read here to find the Best Type Of LVP.

What's The Best Cleaner For LVP Floors?

Generally speaking, most luxury vinyl planks can be cleaned using soap and water. A dishwashing soap like Dawn is best because it will cut grime and grease gently. Mix about an ounce with a gallon of warm (not hot) water for the best results in loosening filth from your floors. Make sure to finish with a rinse mop so you don’t leave any soap scum behind. Soap scum actually attracts dirt and makes it stick into the planks. For a similar cleaning solution (minus the soap scum risk), you can use vinegar mixed with warm water as well. Apple Cider Vinegar is perfect for this or if you want to disinfect while cleaning, white vinegar works well too. Just make sure you don’t use full-strength vinegar on your floors, it can dull the finish. The acidity in the vinegar removes grime and dirt without leaving behind buildup and residue like soap can. It’s also important to note that you should not clean luxury vinyl flooring with bleach, ammonia, or any high-pH detergents. These cleaners are corrosive and can cause damage. Instead, look for pH-neutral ones.

If you are dealing with harder to clean stains or spots, try rubbing them out with a water/baking soda paste, isopropyl alcohol, or 3% hydrogen peroxide. Another cleaning trick we found is specific to areas like the bathroom or bedroom where hairspray is used. Its mist sticks to the floor and adds another grime layer that traps in dirt. The best solution for getting that off of your LVP is actually quite simple. Combine a little bit of shampoo and warm water, mop, and then rinse! We hope that these various hacks and tips help you as you take care of your LVP. If you are looking to buy luxury vinyl wholesale flooring at a low cost, we have many designs here at Georgia Carpet Industries.