Cleaning Vinyl Floors

Written by Amy Gordon (last updated April 29, 2024)

To get the best results when cleaning a vinyl floor, mop using a mild detergent and let it soak in for a while before you mop it up. If the edges of your flooring are not sealed, try to keep any soaking water away from there as it could get under the vinyl and cause a dampness problem. Dampness beneath your vinyl flooring could also cause mold and mildew growth and even warping of your floor.

Since vinyl floors are prone to having food stick to them, you'll want to use a mop that has a scrubbing surface as well as a wiping surface, but you'll want to avoid using abrasives. Abrasives can scratch the surface of your vinyl flooring and leave permanent dullness behind. Also, if you plan on moving any appliances, you'll need to lay down another layer of vinyl to protect your flooring from your appliance's feet. Refrigerator feet especially can warp vinyl as they move over it. Another easy trick for protecting your vinyl is to attach carpet squares to the bottom of your appliance. Carpet slides easily over vinyl and will also cushion some of the weight of the appliance. Use carpet squares only when moving your appliance, since they may be a fire hazard or collect mildew if left under an appliance.

To have a little fun while cleaning up, use a detergent mild enough to touch skin and tell your kids to get their swimsuits on. When you're mopping, your floor literally becomes a Slip'n'Slide. Your kids can slide across your kitchen on old towels, thus both scrubbing the floor and having tons of fun. Again, you will want to make sure that the edges of your flooring are sealed. If they aren't, you can also try lining the edges of your vinyl flooring with extra towels. Make sure to have your children rinse off after sliding around on the soapy floor, so their skin won't be irritated by your mopping detergent.

Author Bio

Amy Gordon

Amy Gordon loves keeping things simple, natural, and safe so she can spend more time having fun. Every day she learns new things about making life at home easier and she loves to share it with you! ...

MORE FROM AMY

Cleaning Mini-Blinds

Mini-blinds are one of the hardest parts of the house to dust. For an easy solution, put a sock on each hand and use one ...

Discover More

Organic Herbicides

Weeds will constantly crop up in any garden. Herbicides can be an effective way to remove weeds when applied correctly. ...

Discover More

Creating a Beginner's Vegetable Garden

Start your vegetable garden by planning where you are going to grow and what you will grow in the garden. Prepare the ...

Discover More

The Power of Microfiber! Zwipes Microfiber Cleaning Cloths will become your favorite tool for every cleaning task. This 36-cloth package is perfect for hundreds of uses in the garage, kitchen, bathroom, laundry, and all around the house. Each cloth is tough, streak-free, lint-free, reusable, and washable. Check out Microfiber Cleaning Cloths today!

More Cleaning Tips

Floor Waxing

Waxing a floor is something that any homeowner can do, and frankly something that should be done on a regular basis to ...

Discover More

Cleaning Tile Grout

Cleaning grout properly is an absolute necessity when it comes time to reseal your grouting. Why not save time and money ...

Discover More

Floor Cleaning

There are various types of flooring you might have in your home. Be sure that you know how to correctly clean each one to ...

Discover More
Subscribe

FREE SERVICE: Get tips like this every week in Cleaning Tips from Tips.Net. Enter your address and click "Subscribe."

View most recent newsletter.

Comments

If you would like to add an image to your comment (not an avatar, but an image to help in making the point of your comment), include the characters [{fig}] (all 7 characters, in the sequence shown) in your comment text. You’ll be prompted to upload your image when you submit the comment. Maximum image size is 6Mpixels. Images larger than 600px wide or 1000px tall will be reduced. Up to three images may be included in a comment. All images are subject to review. Commenting privileges may be curtailed if inappropriate images are posted.

What is three more than 1?

There are currently no comments for this tip. (Be the first to leave your comment—just use the simple form above!)


Newest Tips
Subscribe

FREE SERVICE: Get tips like this every week in Cleaning Tips from Tips.Net. Enter your address and click "Subscribe."

(Your e-mail address is not shared with anyone, ever.)

View the most recent newsletter.