An Expert Guide to Cleaning LVT Flooring
If you’ve just invested in some new, beautiful LVT floors, then you’re probably wondering how you can keep them looking brand new after years of use.
Not only are LVT floors affordable and beautiful, but they’re also fairly easy to care for and stay in great condition as long as you look after them properly.
By following our expert guide to cleaning LVT flooring, your floors will look spick-and-span every day. So, let’s get on with it!
What is LVT flooring?
LVT flooring, also known as luxury vinyl tile, is highly versatile, stylish, and affordable. It is found in many modern homes.
The beauty and uniqueness of LVT flooring lie in its ability to mimic authentic materials, like wood, stone, and tile, without the need to spend hundreds on the real thing.
Instead, it’s designed from a backing layer, a vinyl composite core layer, a high-resolution photographic design layer (which provides the realistic appearance), and a wear layer. The topmost layer is often coated with a transparent urethane finish to prevent scratches and scuffs.
To learn more about LVT, read our blog on the difference between LVT and laminate flooring.
Daily maintenance: keeping on top of your floors
With anything, you need to keep on top of daily care and maintenance to make sure you get the most life out of it as possible.
Our floors are constantly being trodden upon, whether by muddy paws, dirty shoes, or messy children. Luckily, a little daily attention goes a long way, and unlike natural wood or stone, LVT doesn’t require intensive upkeep.
Remove dust and debris
Brush and hoover your LVT floors every day to prevent dust and dirt from settling. After all, you don’t want grit to dull the surface of your floors over time.
Use a soft-bristled brush and a dry microfibre mop to prevent scratches on the top layer. When vacuuming, use a hard floor setting (one with no rotating brush bar) for a quick and effective clean.
Address any spills straight away
Looking after a home takes a lot of time and energy, but don’t let spills or stains set (it’s the worst thing you can do!). Taking care of the issue straight away will prevent you from needing to do damage control, which will take more time and money.
Whether it’s a splash of juice, a muddy pawprint, or cooking splatter, a quick wipe with a damp cloth or mop will do the trick. Leaving liquid to soak into your floors can cause the floor adhesive to loosen, so dry it up right away.
Lay down protective mats and rugs
Make sure that you have an effective rug or mat laid down on your floors every day. Not only will this make your home feel more cosy and lived in, but it’ll also catch a lot of dirt and spills that could otherwise ruin your floors.
Just make sure your mats and rugs have a non-rubber backing– rubber or latex can react with LVT and cause discolouration over time.
Watch out for furniture feet
While not part of a daily cleaning ritual per se, it’s worth checking now and then that furniture leg protectors (like felt pads) are still in place.
Dragging chairs or tables across your floors without protection can wear them down rather quickly. We also suggest avoiding furniture with wheels, as these can dent your LVT floors.
An effective weekly cleaning routine
The key to long-lasting, durable LVT floors is all in your weekly cleaning routine. If you haven’t got that part nailed to a T, then expect to be replacing your floors sooner rather than later.
But don’t worry! Mersey Flooring has the perfect cleaning regime all laid out for you.
1. Thorough hoovering and brushing
Dedicate a day in the week, maybe a Sunday or a Monday, to sweep and hoover your whole home.
This doesn’t just mean the areas guests can see (we’re all guilty of it), it also means those hard-to-reach areas under chairs, beds, and bookshelves.
Again, use a hoover setting designed for hard floors. This prevents particles from dragging across the floor during mopping, which could cause micro-abrasions over time.
2. Use a damp mop – Not a soaking wet one
We all make the mistake of turning our floors into mini pools because we think we need that much water (as it turns out, we don’t).
When cleaning your LVT floors, your mop only needs to be slightly damp, so wring it well. Excess water isn’t a friend of any type of flooring, and although LVT is water-resistant, it’s best to avoid saturating the surface.
3. Choose the right cleaner
When choosing a floor cleaner, make sure it’s compatible with vinyl flooring, such as a pH-neutral floor cleaner.
These cleaners help break down grime without leaving streaks or residue or damaging the protective wear layer. Use them alongside warm water for an effective clean (or just use water and white vinegar solution).
Avoid all-purpose cleaners that contain bleach, ammonia, or waxes, as they can dull or discolour the surface over time.
4. Buff or shine your floors
One reason LVT flooring is so popular with homeowners is its shiny, appealing finish. While it’s low-sheen, it still adds a little extra beauty to the home.
To keep this look, use a soft microfibre cloth or cloth pad after mopping to remove any lingering haze from cleaning products and give the floor a subtle, healthy glow.
You can also use a non-abrasive, low-speed buffer or a vinyl-safe buffing pad for larger areas.
How to deal with stubborn stains
Life happens, and spills, stains, and scratches are inevitable. All we can do is prepare for how to deal with them when they inevitably happen.
The good news is that LVT flooring is designed to be resilient, so getting rid of stains—even stubborn ones—will require little effort.
- Identify the type of stain: Is it food, grease, crayon, or liquid?
- Use a gentle cleaner: Mix a few drops of pH-neutral vinyl floor cleaner or mild washing-up liquid with warm water.
- Gently scrub: Dampen your cloth or sponge in the solution and gently scrub at the affected area. Do this in circular motions and avoid scrubbing too hard!
Dealing with different types of stains
- Grease— Use warm water and mild detergent, or apply a small amount of white vinegar diluted in water.
- Crayon, pen or marker— Use a soft cloth and rubbing alcohol (isopropyl) to lift ink marks.
- Pet accidents or food stains— Clean as soon as possible with a cloth and warm water, and use vinyl-safe enzymatic cleaner to get rid of odours and residue.
- Scuff marks— Gently rub a tennis ball (yes, you heard that right) onto the floor. Or, you can get a damp sponge and a dash of bicarbonate of soda to scrub the area.
Do’s and Don’ts when cleaning LVT
When it comes to cleaning vinyl flooring, there are a few ‘absolutely yes’ and ‘avoid at all costs’ things you want to keep in mind.
|
Do |
Don’t |
|
Use a pH-neutral cleaner |
Steam your LVT floors, as this can weaken adhesive and joints |
|
Trim pet nails regularly to prevent scratches |
Drag furniture across the floor |
|
Place felt pads under heavy furniture |
Scrub with abrasive pads or a cloth |
|
Address scuff marks promptly |
Let liquids sit for too long |
|
Protect high-traffic areas with rugs and mats |
Use rubber-backed mats |
|
Mop with a well-wrung microfibre mop |
Use bleach, ammonia, or abrasive cleaners |
Transform your home with stunning LVT floors
So, do LVT floors sound like the perfect option for your busy home? With easy maintenance, a wide range of designs and natural finishes to choose from, there’s something for every home.
At Mersey Flooring, we offer a wide range of premium LVT options to suit your tastes. From warm oak to space grey, there’s an abundance of affordable floors to browse.
Don’t wait! Find your new floors for a great price today, just in time for summer.