Tips For Maintaining Resilient Vinyl Floor

Vinyl Floor Covering (Resilient)

You may have seen advertising prior to purchasing your new floor that screamed to you ” I will take care of myself”. The care and maintenance literature that you received after your purchase muffled that scream and told you that the floor will require regular maintenance. I doubt though that the need for maintenance came as a complete surprise. Resilient is no different than any other floor as to its need to be kept clean if it is to last and maintain its appearance.

Dulling of a sheet vinyl floor is one of the most common complaints. Improper maintenance is the most common cause of floor dulling. The cause may be the use of an inappropriate product or even the overuse of the proper cleaner. Soil is another big floor duller, soil is an abrasive and it will scratch a floor. A floor that is not properly maintained will eventually have scratches just as if sandpaper had been used on it.

The kitchen is usually a very high use area. While preparing a meal a person travels back and forth between the range, sink and refrigerator. While using other parts of the house we go back and forth to get a glass of water, food or beverage from the refrigerator. In many residence the laundry area and/or a bathroom is entered through the kitchen. Other common entrances are the back door or through the garage and these are often off the kitchen. Each trip carries with it soil from our shoes or even bare feet that has not been properly cleaned off. This soil is deposited onto the vinyl where the back and forth traffic grinds it into the floors finish. The grinding produces scratches which result in the loss of luster and a dull appearance.

While the kitchen is a common high use area you will receive moderate to high traffic in many areas of the house. All types of floor surfaces must be properly maintained. Failure to properly vacuum a carpet for instance not only abrades it but also contributes soil to abrade your vinyl or other floor covering. Their is no such thing as an indestructible floor covering, whatever the type abrasion is one of the most common causes of damage.

Routine Maintenance

By following a routine maintenance program most floors will give you years of pleasure.

• Sweep or vacuum regularly to remove that loose gritty soil.
• When a spill occurs, wipe it up immediately with a damp cloth or mop.
• Use your manufacturers recommended cleaning products to care for the floor.
• Do not use abrasive cleaners, as these will scratch the floor.
• Do not use soap, dish washing liquids and oil-based cleaning products to clean your floor, as they will attract soil and dull the shine.
• Do not use a one-step cleaning and polishing product each time you clean. Occasionally rinse the one-step product as they will build up resulting in smearing and soil attracting residue.
• Do not use vinegar and water to clean your vinyl, as it does not provide effective cleaning for this type of floor.
• With all resilient floor covering, some dulling will occur over a period of time. How long this takes will be dependent on the care that it has received and the amount of traffic. When this occurs, use the manufacturers approved polish for restoring the sheen or luster.