How to Clean Vinyl Floors

Vinyl is durable, but like any floor, it can get dirty. Before you jump in to clean, it's important to know the best cleaner for vinyl flooring. A vinyl floor cleaner is safe to use on that type of flooring. Tile cleaners are another good option. Read the bottle to see if the cleaner you’re considering is meant for vinyl. Distilled water and pH-neutral floor cleaner alone can usually lift light stains and dirt.

Follow the manufacturer's instructions for best results. Be sure not to soak the floor. Although vinyl is water-resistant, not all of it is waterproof. New vinyl floors handle water much better than older ones. 

To be safe when choosing the best cleaner for vinyl flooring, use a small amount of water. Too much water may seep through the cracks. That could cause bubbling, corner curl or unsightly blemishes on your floor.

To avoid this, simply make sure you’re working with a lightly dampened cloth or mop. If you use more cleaner, don’t let a puddle of it sit on your floor. 

Avoid using ammonia-based cleaning solutions. Don’t use bleach as an overall vinyl floor cleaner. Keep away from highly abrasive scrubbers or detergents on vinyl. They can damage the floor, causing cracks or scratches. They might also leave a dull film in their wake. Read on for gentler options.

Using natural substances like vinegar or baking soda is an effective, often gentler method for vinyl floor cleaning. In addition, it can be more budget friendly and safer for pets.

White vinegar or apple cider vinegar (without the mother):

• Cleans off general surface dirt.
• Cuts through grime.
• Excellent option to spiff up your vinyl floor without chemicals.
• Helps remove any floor stickiness.

Follow these steps to clean vinyl floors with vinegar:

• Mix 1 cup of vinegar into 1 gallon of very warm water.
• Dip your wet mop into this mixture.
• Wring out the mop so it’s damp, not soaking wet.
• Mop your floor.
• For an extra cleaning boost, add a drop or two of dish soap to the mix. Be sure to rinse well afterward. Although clean floors are great, slippery floors are not.

Baking soda:

• This natural method avoids harming the finish.
• Helps lift stains on your floor naturally.
• If necessary, you can use something harsher afterward.

Follow these steps for vinyl floor cleaning to remove stains from vinyl tile, planks or sheet vinyl flooring using baking soda:

• Combine baking soda and water to create a paste.
• Apply the paste to the stain with a soft rag.
• Rub gently until the stain is completely lifted.
• Repeat this process if necessary.
• When you’re done, remove excess paste. Wipe the area with a clean, damp cloth.
• For more cleaning power, rinse with your vinegar and water mix. Any extra baking soda will react with the vinegar.

After cleaning your vinyl floors with hard surface cleaners, you might discover scuffs. Small scuffs that don’t have scratches beneath them are easy to remove. Major scuffs, scratches and nicks may require replacing the affected vinyl plank flooring or vinyl tile. 

To remove minor scuffs or unsightly shoe scuffs during a vinyl floor cleaning, try one of these methods:

• Use a melamine pad/sponge. Simply buff out the scuff until it disappears. It removes small scuffs without damaging the finish.
• Popular canned lubricants work too. The tiny straw helps with precise application.
• You can also try buffing the scuff with a dab of olive or jojoba oil.
• Use rubbing alcohol and a rag to buff scuffs away.

After removing scuffs, you want to make sure the floor is safe to walk on. Carefully wash away any oils with water and vinegar. 

The best way to ensure you have clean vinyl floors is to set up a good defense. The old saying applies here: “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” 

Prevent stains on vinyl with a quick cleanup: Immediately wipe up any spills and rinse off residue. The longer a spill sits, the more likely the vinyl can absorb it. Once the vinyl has absorbed the stain, it will be much more difficult to remove. 

How to remove stains from vinyl floors: If a quick cleanup didn’t happen or fix the vinyl stain, there’s still hope. Try cleaning up stubborn stains with these common household items. Do a spot check in a hidden corner to see if the vinyl discolors. If it doesn’t discolor, use your stain remover of choice. 

Follow these tips when removing stains from vinyl: 

• Make sure your ventilation is good if using chemicals.
• Use rubber gloves to protect your hands.
• For stain removal methods involving soaking, use a rag to apply the solution.
• If the stain is small, try a cotton ball or pad to soak it.

Use the method of vinyl stain removal that applies to your situation:

• Brightly colored food can easily stain. Some common culprits are ketchup, curry, mustard, wine, sports drinks and tomato sauce. Treat these stains with baking soda and water. See Section 3 for details on making this natural paste. If this doesn’t work, thoroughly rinse off the baking soda before trying another method.
• Beauty products are highly pigmented. Hair dye, lipstick, blush and concealer are known for staining. Try cleaning these stains with rubbing alcohol and an old toothbrush.
• Hairspray doesn’t usually stain, but it may discolor. Unless you’ve got tinted hairspray, this will show as a dull film. Remove it with a drop of shampoo mixed with water.
• Nail polish spills can be tackled with nail polish remover. Try the stronger variety with acetone for best results.
• Art supplies can leave markings where you don’t want them. Crayons, markers and paint stains can be removed with mineral spirits.
• Ink from pens or art projects can be eliminated too. Try rubbing alcohol or hand sanitizer. Use an old toothbrush or scrub brush with soft nylon bristles to scrub away the stain. If that doesn’t work, consider trying sour cream or yogurt. Clean the spot well afterward.
• Rust stains may crop up under an appliance. Use oxalic acid to get it out. It’s also known as wood bleach. Follow the directions on the bottle. Rinse thoroughly when you’re done.

Let’s say you’ve got a stubborn stain. It hasn’t budged so far. You have two more cleaning options before cutting out and replacing stained vinyl: detergent or bleach. Neither of these methods are mentioned higher up on the list because they can harm your floor. However, if your other option is replacing the vinyl, you have nothing to lose.

Follow these steps to treat stained vinyl with laundry detergent:

• Mix a powdered laundry detergent with water to create a paste.
• Spread the paste onto the stain.
• Let it sit for a moment.
• Scrub with a nylon bristle brush or old toothbrush.
• Thoroughly wash off the paste with clean water when you’re done.

If absolutely nothing else works on a stain, consider using bleach. This is a last resort only. When you’re ready to replace the vinyl, give this a try. If you’re hesitant on how the floor will react, do a spot test first. Make sure your ventilation is good and all previous cleaners have been removed.

Level up your stain removal by mixing one part bleach with two parts water:

• Wearing rubber gloves, dip a rag in the mixture.
• Wring out the rag so it’s not dripping.
• Let the rag sit on the stain as long as it takes to remove it.

If nothing has removed the stain, the easiest option is to cover it with an accent rug or mat. This may not work in every situation. Otherwise, you or a professional can replace the stained vinyl.

Now that your floor is sparkling clean, you’ll want to keep it that way. Use these tips to protect your floor during a vinyl floor cleaning:

• Try a “no-wax” wax substitute for your vinyl floor. It’ll give it the shine of wax but without the dull buildup. Paste wax isn't recommended for vinyl.
• A more affordable option for shine is to add a drop or two of baby oil while mopping with vinegar. Just make sure not to overdo it. A slippery floor is not ideal.
• Add flat nylon or felt floor protectors to the legs of your furniture. Avoid rollers or casters on vinyl floors. Be mindful of heavy appliances, as they can dent vinyl flooring.
• Lay a rug, doormat or rubber kitchen mat to accommodate heavy foot traffic. Protecting the vinyl helps cut down on wear and tear. It may also blunt damage from any mishaps or spills.
• Regularly sweep and dust the floors to remove any dirt. Ground-in or sharp debris can discolor or scratch the floor.
• If you need to move furniture, put down cardboard or smooth plywood first. Roll out furniture on a dolly to prevent tears in the vinyl flooring. Dragging anything heavy along a vinyl floor could scratch, nick or mar the surface.