The Do’s and Don’ts of Cleaning Vinyl Flooring

If you've been following along with our most recent basement remodel adventures, we finished up installing a lovely neutral vinyl plank flooring. Over the years, we've tackled everything from prepping concrete to different types of vinyl plank flooring. After installing vinyl floors in multiple rooms, from glue-down styles to click-lock systems, we've learned a thing or two about making these floors not only look great but also last. Vinyl flooring has quickly become a favorite in our home for its durability and style-but keeping it clean without damaging it is a whole new challenge!

With several vinyl floors now a part of our everyday lives, we've had plenty of opportunities to test cleaning methods, from stubborn kitchen messes to everyday pet paw prints.

And because I'm all about sharing the lessons learned from our projects, here is everything we have learned and experienced with cleaning and maintaining vinyl plank flooring the right way.

Understanding Vinyl Plank Flooring

Sheet vinyl is different from vinyl plank flooring, but knowing how it's constructed can help you clean it properly. Most vinyl planks consist of a protective wear layer, a printed design layer, and a sturdy core. Sheet vinyl doesn’t have a rigid core but should generally include a wear layer, although it may be thinner.

That wear layer is your floor's first line of defense, so it's important to treat it gently. Harsh chemicals or abrasive tools can wear it down over time, leaving the design layer vulnerable to damage.

If you want to dive deeper into how vinyl flooring is made, check out my post on the different types of vinyl flooring.

Cleaning Supplies and Chemicals: What to Avoid

Vinyl plank flooring may be durable, but not all cleaning supplies are safe to use on it. Using the wrong products or tools can damage the protective wear layer, dull the surface, or even cause warping. Here’s what to avoid:

Harsh Chemicals

• Bleach: Bleach is just too harsh and can discolor or weaken the surface.
• Ammonia-Based Cleaners: Ammonia can soften the wear layer over time, leaving your floor vulnerable to scratches and stains. It can also make your floors feel sticky over time.
• Acetone or Mineral Spirits: These can melt the protective layer, but I have had to once use nail polish remover to remove long hardened enamel paint with a q-tip. If isopropyl alcohol doesn’t work, these can help remove ink or hair dye.
• Abrasive Cleaners or Powders: These can create tiny scuffs on the surface, making the floor look dull and dirt more easily collects.
• Oil-Based Products or Wax: These leave a residue that can make your floor slippery and attract more dirt, leading to buildup and dullness. Some of these are marketed as “Mop and Shine” or “polishing oils”.
• Undiluted Vinegar: Although often recommended for cleaning, using vinegar at full strength is too acidic and can gradually erode the protective layer.

Improper Cleaning Tools

• Steel Wool or Abrasive Scrubbers: These scratch the surface, permanently damaging the floor's finish.
• Stiff-Bristle Brushes: While they might seem like a quick solution for tough messes, they're too rough for vinyl flooring. This includes metal brushes or like tire cleaning scrub brushes like this one.
• Steam Mops: High heat and moisture can cause warping or damage to the adhesive in glue-down flooring.

Natural Alternatives

• Hot Water: Yes! Seriously, water is the universal solvent and will clean dust, dirt, and anything that doesn’t repel water like oil or grease does. I clean my entire house weekly with nearly only water and microfiber cloths. My surfaces have held up much better and are easier to clean because I am not using abrasives.
• Olive Oil: This can often work well for sticky or oily messes that won’t break down. Make sure to rinse well with soap, like a few drops of dish detergent and water to remove any residue.
• Vinegar and Water Solution: Use sparingly for deep cleaning, but not every day. Mix ¼ cup white vinegar to 1 gallon of water.

Common Tips & Mistakes to Avoid

• Soaking the Floor: Standing water can seep into seams and edges, causing swelling of the subfloor or warping over time.
• Multi-Surface Cleaners: Some all-purpose cleaners contain chemicals that can damage vinyl. Always check the label to ensure it's safe for vinyl flooring.
• Sweep or vacuum as often as is feasible. Mopping weekly is most effective, but I completely understand that most people are too busy to mop their entire house weekly. Vacuuming will keep scratches to a minimum.
• Use area rugs or furniture pads. These floor protectors help to prevent not only scratches from furniture legs, but also sunlight fading problems and additional wear. I do recommend good rug pads instead of tape.
• Use the gentlest methods first, then spot clean. I always clean with warm water first and then move up gradually to something stronger like floor cleaner, if necessary. It’s more important to WIPE UP the dirt than which cleaner you use initially. This method has kept our surfaces in excellent condition over the years, so they don’t have residues or chemical wear.