Vinyl flooring is enjoying more popularity today than it ever has. Today’s laminate floors are not only durable, but also very stylish. And they are versatile; whether it’s Karndean vinyl flooring in the kitchen, or a rustic stone-look floor in the bathroom, today’s laminates certainly offer a great way to express your personal style.
However, your vinyl flooring also represents an investment; although modern floors offer much more in the way of durability and longevity than they used to, they can still sustain damage from any number of mishaps. And if you want to keep your flooring for as long as possible, knowing how to address each threat can help you get the most out of your investment.
Prevention is the first Step
When you’re busy using your rooms and moving furniture around, accidents can most certainly happen. Scuffing and tearing can quickly cause a vinyl floor to look far older than its actual age. But as they say, ‘An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure’. You can prevent unsightly scuffs or tears by checking the legs of your furniture. Are the ends of furniture legs smooth? If not, they may mark your floors. However, don’t despair; rough ends can be made smooth and safe by replacing them with glides. Available in plastic, metal and glass, furniture glides offer protection for your vinyl floors as well as a touch of subtle style to furniture legs.
A Proper Wash
Regardless of the kind of vinyl flooring you’ve installed in your home, the same rule applies for all: vinyl flooring should only be occasionally washed. No abrasive cleaners should ever be used on vinyl floors, as they can cause unnecessary damage. Instead, use a mild cleaner. You can also make your own floor cleaner with 1 part vinegar to 4 parts water.
Although you may have considered purchasing floor cleaning products that add shine, these may actually dull your vinyl floors, and so are best avoided. Steaming should also be avoided, as their high temperature not only can damage the surface of flooring, but may also contribute to the loosening of adhesives.
Stains and Spills
Believe it or not, it’s important to avoid using coloured cloths when cleaning stains and spills from your vinyl floors. Some colours may bleed and be absorbed, which can also cause your flooring to look dull and older than you want it to. A white cloth is best for the job of stain and spill removal. You can also use a non-abrasive scrubbing pad to remove common stains like juice, grass and food.
For rust stains, you can treat your vinyl floors with lemon juice, which is also a great colour lightener and may work for stubborn stains. However, it’s important not to leave it on your floors for too long, lest it also lighten your floors. You can also use cream of tartar for rust stains. Products like hair dye and ink can be removed by rubbing some isopropyl alcohol on the stain.
Smudges and Scuffs
Whether your guests have left marks from their shoes or you forgot to replace the glides on furniture legs when last you moved it; there is no doubt that scuffs and smudges are not a pretty addition to your vinyl floors. Thankfully, they can be removed. But you will have to address them as soon as possible after you notice them. The best way to remove these kinds of marks on your vinyl flooring is to scrub the area with mild floor cleaner and your trusty non-abrasive scrubbing pad.
When products are used according to instructions and some time and care is taken, your vinyl flooring can be enjoyed for years to come.