How to Clean Luxury Vinyl Plank and Tile Flooring

Vinyl is one of the most popular flooring types and an affordable alternative to hardwood or tile. It consists of multiple layers, including a photographic and protective coating. Luxury Vinyl Plank (LVP) flooring replicates the look of hardwood, while Luxury Vinyl Tile (LVT) copies the look of tile or stone. However, despite their similar appearances, cleaning luxury vinyl flooring differs from cleaning hardwood, stone or tile.

While some cleaning methods can damage vinyl flooring, you can keep yours looking its best by learning how to clean LVP flooring properly.

How Is Cleaning an LVP Floor Different From Other Floors?

While you can sand and refinish hardwood to remove scratches, that isn't an option with vinyl. Since scratches might be there to stay, it's vital to sweep or vacuum vinyl flooring frequently to prevent them.

Unless your flooring is waterproof, you should only use a small amount of liquid when you mop the floors. While you can use a steam mop on many other types of flooring, you should avoid that method with LVP or LVT flooring.

What to Use to Clean LVP and LVT Flooring

You can keep your floors clean and shiny with a few essential items. Here's what you'll need:

Broom and dustpan: Use a broom to loosen and sweep up debris and dirt. An angled head helps reach corners.
Vacuum: A vacuum can be used instead of or alongside a broom to remove dirt and debris.
Mop: Avoid string mops that hold excess water; choose a microfiber or chamois mop instead.
White or apple cider vinegar: A budget-friendly, eco-friendly cleaner. Apple cider vinegar leaves a fresh scent.
Cloth: Use microfiber cloths or repurpose old towels, clothes, or rags.
Soft-bristle brush: Ideal for scrubbing stains without scratching. Old toothbrushes work well for small areas.
Bucket: Use for warm water and cleaning solution; choose one that’s easy to move, carry, and empty.

You can also add these optional items:

Herbal tea: Adding herbal tea to your cleaning solution can give it a pleasant scent.
Dishwashing liquid: Mix dishwashing liquid into your cleaning solution if your floors need extra cleaning power.
WD-40: Helps buff out scuff marks effectively.
Baking soda: A baking soda paste can remove stubborn food stains.
Rubbing alcohol: Isopropyl alcohol with a soft-bristle brush helps remove tough stains like ink, lipstick, and hair dye.

The Best Way to Clean Luxury Vinyl Flooring

Make your floors spotless by following these four steps.

Remove dirt and debris: In high-traffic areas, sweep, dust mop, or vacuum daily to remove dirt. If using a vacuum, make sure it does not have a beater bar to avoid damaging the flooring.
Mix your cleaning solution: Combine warm water and 1/2 cup of white distilled or apple cider vinegar in a gallon bucket. For a different scent, use distilled vinegar and add 1/2 cup of herbal tea. Add 1/8 cup of dishwashing liquid if deeper cleaning is needed.
Mop your floors: Dip the mop into the solution and wring it out well so it’s damp, not dripping. Start in one corner and work your way around the room, leaving an exit path. Rinse your mop with water and distilled vinegar before drying.
Remove stubborn stains: Use a soft-bristle brush dipped in the cleaning solution to gently scrub. If stains persist, apply a baking soda paste or use rubbing alcohol with a cloth.

Tips for Cleaning Your Vinyl Flooring

Now that you know the basics, here are a few additional tips for keeping your LVP or LVT floors looking their best.

What Can Help Keep Your Floors Clean?

When caring for your vinyl flooring, you want to:

Clean up spills: Pooling liquid can seep through and damage the subfloor. Oils and other substances can also cause discoloration and stubborn stains. Wipe up spills immediately and use a suitable stain remover when needed.
Protect it: Add felt pads under furniture legs to prevent scratches. Use a protective mat under rolling furniture to avoid damage.
Use a doormat: Place doormats near entrances to reduce dirt tracked into the home.
Rinse your floor: Rinsing after mopping removes soap residue, helping prevent streaks and buildup.

What Should You Avoid?

You'll also want to avoid some things when caring for your vinyl floor, such as:

Using a floor wax product: Wax or polish can damage vinyl floors, cause residue buildup, and reduce shine. Most vinyl already has a no-wax finish.
Scrubbing the floor too hard: Excessive scrubbing can scratch and damage the surface.
Using ammonia or ammonia-based cleaners: Ammonia can break down vinyl and lead to cracking.
Leaving the floor wet: Too much water can seep into seams and cause damage.
Mopping with a steam cleaner: Vinyl cannot handle intense heat and moisture from steam cleaners.
Using a beater bar on your vacuum: Beater bars can scuff or damage vinyl flooring.
Pushing furniture across the floor: Always lift furniture or use sliders to avoid scratching.
Using steel wool or abrasive scrubbers: Abrasive tools can scratch and damage the flooring.

How Often Do You Need to Clean Your Floors?

Different tasks will have varying frequencies in your cleaning schedule:

Try to sweep, vacuum, or dry mop your vinyl flooring daily to remove dirt and debris, especially in high-traffic areas.
Set aside time to mop the floors each week to remove grime and stains.
If there is a spill, wipe it up as soon as possible to prevent staining.

How Do You Fix Scratches?

Since you can't refinish vinyl flooring, it might seem impossible to fix scratches. However, a microfiber cloth and a small amount of WD-40 or olive oil will let you buff out minor scratches.

Need to Replace Your Vinyl Flooring?

While vinyl flooring lasts for many years, it doesn't last forever. When it's time to replace yours, you want the best.

American Carpet Wholesalers is the world's Carpet Capital in Dalton, Georgia. Our extensive inventory includes carpet, vinyl, laminate, hardwood and many other flooring options. We work one-on-one with manufacturers to get you the lowest prices possible.

All our staff members have years of experience and training in the flooring industry. Your satisfaction is our priority and we pride ourselves on our outstanding customer service. We make it easy to request a price quote when you need new flooring and you can contact us online with any questions!