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Home / Common Questions / 5 Easy Tips for Maintaining Your Vinyl & Laminate Floors

5 Easy Tips for Maintaining Your Vinyl & Laminate Floors

You expect to spend a lot less time and effort cleaning a hard surface floor.  After all, that’s a big reason you decided to ditch the old carpet.  Although today’s hard surface floors are armed with hefty protective surfaces and wear layers, you will need to practice some simple routines to keep your floor looking fresh and beautiful.  Use these tips, recommended by Twenty & Oak vinyl and laminate flooring manufacturers.

 

1. Avoid these mistakes
  • Using products containing wax, oil soap, or varnish will create a permanent film on your floor.  It may look shiny and new at first, but these ingredients will dull the protective coatings on laminate and vinyl.  Chlorinated solvents, vinegar and abrasives will also cause damage.
  • Rubber – backed rugs will most likely stain your floor.  Certain rubber compounds can permanently stain laminate and vinyl, so use cotton or other natural fiber mats or rugs.
  • Flood-mopping and steam cleaners are not recommended.  Pro-longed exposure to water can loosen adhesive and also react with the protective surface.
2. Protect the Wear Layer
  • Use felt protectors on all furniture legs, and replace them frequently.
  • Avoid stiletto heals and keep pets’ nails trimmed.
  • Use plastic or other non-staining cups under heavy furniture and appliances to prevent indentations.  The wear layer will withstand various levels of weight, based on the product construction.
3. Clean Properly
  • Vacuum, sweep or dust mop frequently to keep dirt and grit to a minimum.  Using stiff bristled exterior door mats will also cut down on tracked in debris.
  • Damp mop frequently, using a pH neutral resilient floor cleaner or a solution of ammonia and water (4 parts water to 1 part ammonia).  Bona products are recommended and are widely available at retail stores.
  • Clean up spills quickly.  The longer the spill remains, the greater the risk of staining and damage.
4. Remove Stuck-on Materials
  • Remove asphalt, tar, grease, oil, wax, chewing gum nail polish, alkalis, lacquer, paint, or rubber immediately.
  • Use a plastic spatula to remove the excess, then wipe with a cloth dampened in full strength pH neutral cleaner.
  • Thoroughly rinse with cold, clean water and dry completely
5. Control the Climate:
  • Protect your floors from direct sunlight exposure so that your floors are not overheated.  UV protective film, blinds or curtains should be used in all windows.
  • The temperature in your home should be kept between 55 and 85 degrees.  Excessive heat or cold exposure may lead to thermal expansion or contraction, resulting in buckling or peaking.

We recommend consulting your Care and Maintenance documents that are enclosed with your flooring and listed on the manufacturer website for complete instructions.  Enjoy your beautiful, new, hard surface flooring, easy maintenance routine, and healthy new environment!

Photo Credits: (top, left and middle, right) iStock; (bottom, left) Bona® 
Twenty & Oak Experts

Twenty & Oak Experts are a team of flooring professionals with over 150 years of combined experience in the industry. They have hands-on experience with all flooring types and bring inside industry know-how to homeowners in the Southeast.
 

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