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What Can I Use To Clean Vinyl Floors?

Photo of a vinyl floor

Vinyl floors are some of the most popular that you will find in any home. They are easy to maintain but what should you use to clean them?

A good choice for cleaning vinyl floors is apple cider vinegar. It will help to lift any dirt and oil in the area without using strong chemicals to do so. Mix a ratio of 1 cup apple cider vinegar with 1 gallon of hot water.

When washing a vinyl floor, it is very important that you don’t allow a lot of standing water to remain on the floor for a long time. This is a mistake that many homeowners make because they feel as if vinyl is impervious to water.

Admittedly, you don’t need to be overly concerned when mopping the floor but make sure that you wring the mop out regularly. In addition, regardless of whether you use apple cider vinegar or if you use a commercial product, make sure that you rinse the floor after mopping with it.

Since we recommend apple cider vinegar to wash your vinyl floor, it’s important for you to understand the difference between refined apple cider vinegar (ACV) and ACV with Mother.

When ACV is unrefined and has not yet been filtered, it will have a cloudy appearance. That is what is typically referred to as apple cider vinegar with Mother. It is commonly used for health benefits but is not the best choice for cleaning your floor.

If you are going to use ACV to clean your vinyl floor, make sure that the Mother, which is essentially bacteria, is removed through a refining process. It should be clear, although it will still have a brown color to it.

As we will discuss, it is also possible to use white vinegar, but it is more acidic than ACV so you run the risk of damaging the floor in the process of cleaning it.

If you just want to clean the floor and remove dirt and grime, you can use apple cider vinegar. If you also want to disinfect the floor, you should use white vinegar. In either case, it should be diluted.

What Can You Use To Clean Vinyl Floors?

Throughout this article, we will discuss many ways to clean vinyl floors. This includes a variety of products that can be used for that purpose.

It’s also important to consider some things you should not be doing to your vinyl floor. Avoiding these will help you to avoid damaging the floor in an attempt to clean it.

1. Vacuum – It is perfectly acceptable to vacuum your floor regularly. In fact, many families have robot vacuums that will keep it clean on a continual basis.

If you are going to vacuum, don’t use the attachment with the brush, it can wear down the surface of the floor.

2. Paste wax – Be cautious about using any products that contain paste wax.

3. Scrubbers – Do not use steel wool or any type of abrasive product on the floor because it can damage the surface.

4. Ammonia – Using ammonia to break down the surface of the floor could damage it.

5. Mop and Glow – Avoid any type of product that puts a shine on the floor. It may make it shiny but will also leave some residue that will dull it eventually.

Just make sure that you are giving your vinyl floor the attention it needs on a daily basis. Sweeping and vacuuming will help to get a lot of the dirt and grime up that would otherwise damage the floor.

Have a regular routine for washing the floor using a neutral floor cleaner or apple cider vinegar. Your floor will last for a very long time.

[This article and its contents are owned by Wabi Sabi Group and was first published on 05/19/2022.]

Can You Clean Vinyl Floors With Vinegar?

A photo of various vinegars in a table

One of the most popular natural cleaners is vinegar. Is this also something you should be using on your vinyl floors?

The best natural cleaner for your vinyl floor is apple cider vinegar. Mixing 1 cup of apple cider vinegar in 1 gallon of hot water will provide you with a cleaning solution that will cut through dirt and grime. Simply mop it on and then clear-mop to rinse.

If you plan on using apple cider vinegar, you should use it without the ‘Mother’. The mother is the bacteria that is often kept in apple cider vinegar so it can be used for medicinal purposes. Apple cider vinegar can be refined, and it should not be cloudy.

It is also possible to use white vinegar on your floor. We will discuss this briefly below, but it is better to use apple cider vinegar because it is not as acidic.

Can You Clean Vinyl Floors With White Vinegar?

You can clean vinyl floors with white vinegar but it is better to use apple cider vinegar. White vinegar provides a good cleaning solution and it also disinfects. If you don’t want the disinfectant, use apple cider vinegar. It is milder, so it doesn’t have any damaging effect on the floor.

Can You Clean Vinyl Floors With Apple Cider Vinegar?

Apple cider vinegar is the best choice for cleaning vinyl floors. Mixing 1 cup of apple cider vinegar in 1 gallon of water is a good cleaning solution. To make it even better, add a few drops of Dawn dishwashing liquid, as it will attract the dirt and works well with the water.

Can You Clean Vinyl Floors With Mr. Clean?

If you have some Mr. Clean around the house, you may be tempted to use it on your floor. Is that a good idea if you have vinyl?

Mr. Clean is an all-purpose cleaner and is relatively neutral when it comes to pH balance. It’s a great choice for cleaning vinyl floors because you can mop and you don’t generally need to rinse.

One of the benefits of Mr. Clean is the fact that it is inexpensive. You can even use a generic version of Mr. Clean, although you should be cautious that it is of high quality and is pH neutral.

Many people prefer to use something acidic, such as apple cider vinegar, but that is not always necessary. If you aren’t set on using a natural product, use Mr. Clean.

Can You Clean Vinyl Floors With Steam Cleaner?

A photo of a steam cleaner cleaning the floor

If you have a steam cleaner, is it good for use on a vinyl floor? Make sure you read this before you try it.

A standard mop with a steaming function is not appropriate for use on vinyl floors. The heat is much too intense and it will quickly wear through the surface of the floor and leave you with a dull finish. If used too often, a steam cleaner can even damage the floor, causing it to crack.

Vinyl is able to stand up to a lot of abuse but it does not handle that type of heat very well. In most cases, a steam cleaner is not a good idea for use with a vinyl floor but you may find some that are made for that very purpose.

If you have a steam cleaner with a low setting, perhaps even one that was made for vinyl, it may be something you want to consider. Just make sure that you are not blasting the floor with a lot of heat because that could damage it permanently.

[This article and its contents are owned by Wabi Sabi Group and was first published on 05/19/2022.]

Can You Clean Vinyl Floors With Bleach?

A photo of a bottle of bleach

Bleach is often used because of its extreme cleaning power. Is it something you should use on vinyl or will you ruin the floor?

Bleach should not be used on vinyl under normal circumstances. It is harsh, so it can leave the surface of the vinyl floor damaged and looking dull. Although some people do use a very diluted solution of bleach, it is not generally necessary.

If you do insist on using bleach, you have to dilute it enough. That will knock down the harshness of the bleach and still give you some of the cleaning power that is necessary for keeping your floor looking in tip-top shape.

Generally speaking, you should use 1/2 cup of regular bleach in a gallon of hot water. After applying it, you need to rinse the floor.

In order to rinse the floor, have a bucket of plain, warm water set off to the side. After the bleach solution has been on the floor for five minutes, rinse the floor with clear water. That will keep the bleach from continuing to damage the vinyl.

Can You Clean Vinyl Floors With Pine-Sol?

Pine-Sol is an all-purpose cleaner that is used around the home for many purposes. Is it also good for vinyl floors?

Since Pine-Sol is relatively pH neutral, it can safely be used on vinyl floors. It also does not contain any harsh chemicals that would leave behind a residue that could continually cause damage to the floor. Simply mop it on and allow it to do its job.

If you want to rinse the floor after using Pine-Sol, have a bucket of clear water sitting off to the side. A quick mop with water will do the trick.

Can You Clean Vinyl Floors With Water?

A photo of a water in a faucet

Have you ever tried using water alone to clean a vinyl floor? Is it a good idea?

You can clean vinyl floors with water but it is better to use some soap. When using water, you will just be pushing the dirt around but soap attracts the dirt and helps to pick it up off of the floor.

You might also want to add some vinegar or another cleanser to the floor to cut through grime and grease that may have built up in the area.

Can You Clean Vinyl Floors With Lysol?

A shot of lysol spray on a grey background

Do you want to use a Lysol on your vinyl floor? Read this first.

Lysol is an excellent cleaner and if you are careful to dilute it properly, it can be used to clean vinyl floors. Just as you would clean any other surface in the home, use Lysol sparingly. It does more than clean, it also disinfects.

You can also use Lysol disinfectant wipes to clean up any spills on the floor. Some people like to rinse the area after using them but it is not necessary unless you use them frequently.

Can You Clean Vinyl Floors With Baking Soda?

A photo of a baking powder

Is a baking soda solution good for cleaning vinyl floors?

You can use baking soda on your vinyl floor but you need to be very careful. A paste made from baking soda and water can be used as a scrubbing solution. It can clean up dried-on substances but it can also scratch the surface of the floor if you rub it too aggressively.

If you aren’t able to soak the area and get the stain up quickly, try a baking soda paste. Apply it and rub it gently with a soft rag and the stain might just disappear.

Can You Clean Vinyl Floors With Grooves?

Some vinyl floors have grooves in them. How do you get that area as clean as possible?

To get your vinyl floor as clean as possible, including the grooves, use 1 cup of apple cider vinegar in a bucket of hot water. When you get to the grooves, gently scrub them with the edge of the mop or use a cloth to get down in the area.

This content is owned by Wabi Sabi Group and was first published on May 19, 2022..

It’s important to rinse the floor thoroughly after you clean the grooves. Some of the cleaning solution may last in those groves for a long time and could eventually lead to damage.

Can You Clean Vinyl Floors With Soap Or Dish Soap?

Most of us have dish soap in abundance. Is it a good choice for cleaning vinyl floors?

Dawn dishwashing liquid or a similar dishwashing liquid is an excellent choice for cleaning vinyl floors. It is a neutral cleaner, so it doesn’t cause damage to the floor while you are using it to clean. If you want to increase the cleaning power, add 1/2 cup of white vinegar to the solution. It will disinfect and clean.

One of the top reasons why people use dishwashing liquid on vinyl floors is because you don’t need to rinse it. As long as you don’t have any place where the solution is collecting, just allow it to dry clean.

[This article and its contents are owned by Wabi Sabi Group and was first published on 05/19/2022.]

Can You Clean Vinyl Floors With Swiffer?

A photo of a swiffer mop on a grey vinyl floor

Swiffers are excellent for cleaning vinyl floors. You can push a dry Swiffer around the room to collect dust, dirt, and small particles as they will be attracted to the cleaner. You can also use a Wet Jet Swiffer, provided it is made specifically for vinyl.

Can You Clean Vinyl Floors With Fabuloso?

Fabuloso is excellent for vinyl floors because it is a neutral cleaner. Mix 1/4 cup of Fabuloso in 1 gallon of hot water and mop the floor. Have a bucket of clear water off to the side so you can rinse the floor after mopping it.

Can You Clean Vinyl Floors With Bona?

You can clean vinyl using Bona with confidence. It was designed for cleaning floors and is pH neutral so you can clean without damaging the surface. Bona does not need to be rinsed from the floor, just mix it in with the water as the instructions state.

How To Clean Vinyl Floors Properly?

You want to ensure that your vinyl floors are kept as clean as possible. That is why it is necessary to clean them on an ongoing basis using the following tips.

Apple cider vinegar is the best cleaning solution you can use for vinyl. When you mix 1 cup of apple cider vinegar with a gallon of hot water, you have a cleaning powerhouse that will lift up the dirt and remove grease and grime from the floor easily. For additional cleaning, add a small amount of Dawn dishwashing liquid to the water.

It is important to do more than simply wash the floor on a weekly basis. In fact, if you aren’t sweeping or vacuuming the floor before you mop it, you could be grinding in small dirt particles that can scratch the surface.

On a daily basis, clean the floor to remove the dried dirt particles. This can be done with a soft-bristle broom and dustpan or you can use a dust mop. Many people prefer to use a dust mop because it covers more surface and does a better job.

Cleaning your floor on a daily basis will help to lift up the small particles that would otherwise be ground into the surface. It will really make a difference in the way your floor looks.

You should wash the floor every 7 – 10 days. In order to do so, you can choose a commercial cleaning product that is specific for vinyl or you can use apple cider vinegar in a gallon of hot water.

In either case, you are using something that will cut through the dirt that may be collecting on the surface of the vinyl floor. If you go too long between the times that you wash the floor, that grime will continue to build up, and eventually, it will be more difficult to remove.

Vinyl should have a pleasant-looking finish. If it begins to dull, there are some things you can do to brighten it back up again but you need to use caution.

It is not recommended that you use any type of paste wax or a Mop and Glo type of product on your vinyl floor. If you want to brighten it up again, just put a few drops of baby oil in a bucket of water. It will shine the floor without making it slippery.

Choosing the proper mop is also important because using the best tools will make for the best job. Many people tend to pick up the cheapest item they can for cleaning the floor but that is a mistake.

Use a high-quality mop with a high-quality mop bucket. It will be easier to wring out the excess water and the mop will pick up more dirt.

If you use any type of cleaner in the water, regardless of whether it is apple cider vinegar or a commercial product, it is a good idea to rinse the floor quickly with some clean water after using it. That will help to lift the cleaner off the floor so that it doesn’t build up over time.

This article was first published on May 19, 2022 by Wabi Sabi Group..

To properly clean your vinyl floor, use a mixture of 1 cup apple cider vinegar without the mother in a gallon of hot water. Mop the floor with this mixture and then rinse it with clear water. Make sure that you always sweep the floor before you mop it.

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WabiSabi Group is the owner of this article and was published on May 19, 2022 and last modified on .

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