Understanding how to clean vinyl flooring starts with knowing dry cleaning comes before wet. If you’re planning to do any wet cleaning, vacuum and dust the vinyl tile flooring or vinyl plank flooring to remove any debris. When vacuuming, do not use a vacuum with a beater bar or power rotary brush head, as these may damage the vinyl.

Make sure you also clean under furniture, in the corners and along baseboards. You don’t want a mop to spread dirt, dust or hair all over the room.

Although vinyl is durable, it can still fall victim to stains. Any pH-neutral floor cleaner is safe to use on vinyl flooring. Avoid using ammonia-based cleaning solutions, highly abrasive scrubbers or detergents when removing stains from vinyl. They can damage the floor or leave a dull film in their wake. 

Distilled water and pH-neutral floor cleaner alone can usually lift light stains. For more stubborn stains, combine baking soda and water to create a paste. Apply the paste to the stain with a soft rag and rub gently until the stain is completely lifted. Repeat this process if necessary. Afterward, thoroughly wipe the area with a clean, damp cloth to remove excess paste. 

Armed with all this knowledge, you should have no trouble with vinyl floor cleaning.

Once your vinyl flooring is free of stains, you might discover some scuffs in the tile. Unfortunately, vinyl floor cleaning often includes battling scuffs and nicks. Luckily, there is an easy solution for minor scuffs. Simply buff out the scuff with a melamine pad/sponge. This should remove scuffs without damaging the vinyl's finish.

Major scuffs, scratches and nicks may require replacing the affected vinyl tile or plank.

The best way to ensure you have clean vinyl floors is to set up a good defense.  Add flat nylon or felt floor protectors to the legs of your furniture. Put down a rug or doormat to accommodate heavy foot traffic. Regularly sweep and dust the floors to remove any dirt that may cause abrasions. If you need to move furniture, do so on a dolly to prevent tears in the vinyl flooring.

If you use these care and cleaning methods, your vinyl flooring should stay looking as good as new!