There are so many reasons luxury vinyl is one of the hottest trends in flooring. It offers terrific colors and designs, great value, and easy cleaning. But low maintenance doesn’t mean anything goes in terms of cleaning. Yes–luxury vinyl is easy to clean, but it doesn’t need the kind of aggressive approach some of us are used to.
What Is Luxury Vinyl?
Luxury vinyl is a durable and waterproof synthetic material. It’s been around for years, but in recent years, top producers have taken the quality up a notch. Luxury vinyl gives you gorgeous hardwood and stone looks without the price tag of the real thing. The two most common types are Luxury Vinyl Plank (LVP), which looks like hardwood planks, and Luxury Vinyl Tile (LVF), which looks like ceramic or stone tile. Luxury vinyl is much higher quality than the traditional vinyl flooring many of us grew up with. It’s thicker than classic vinyl and features six to eight layers of material. These layers include a clear topcoat for shine or protection, a clear wear layer for toughness, and a design layer that gives it a super-realistic wood or stone look. The backbone of luxury vinyl is a PVC backing layer for strength.
What Are The Advantages of Luxury Vinyl?
There are so many reasons luxury vinyl is skyrocketing in popularity. High-quality brands like Mohawk are achieving amazingly realistic wood-and-stone looks at a fraction of the cost. Here are some of the reasons homeowners love it:
- Luxury vinyl is durable: it resists scratches and wear from pets and kids and can last 20 years or more if properly installed.
- Luxury vinyl is water-resistant: its tough wear layer prevents water damage, so it’s an excellent choice for kitchens and bathrooms.
- Luxury vinyl is a great value: the cost is usually just $2 to $5 per square foot.
- Luxury vinyl looks great. It comes in the hottest colors (including trendy grays and dark browns) and fabulous designs.
How Should I Clean My Luxury Vinyl Floor?
The goal when cleaning your luxury vinyl floor is to keep the clear topcoat clean and fresh. The key is regular, gentle cleaning. You don’t need to scrub like crazy the way we used to with old-school tiles. Here’s how to keep your luxury vinyl floor looking fantastic
Sweep with a soft-bristle broom or vacuum daily. If you vacuum, be sure to go gently. Don’t use the “beater brush” attachment and make sure there are no rocks or hard objects stuck in the bristles that can scratch the floor.
- Wipe up any spills or stains right away.
- Damp-mop weekly with a mild, non-abrasive floor cleaner and a microfiber mop.
- Avoid using too much water when you mop. Luxury vinyl doesn’t want or need to get drenched. Keep it lightly damp.
- Don’t use a scrub brush or scrubbing attachment on your mop. This will scuff that gorgeous top layer of your luxury vinyl.
- Don’t use ammonia or bleach on your luxury vinyl.
What Cleaning Products Should I Use On My Luxury Vinyl Floor?
When you choose luxury vinyl, gentle cleaning is best. Many popular household cleaning lines offer mild formulations designed with luxury vinyl in mind. Pledge, Pine-Sol and others have safe, pH-balanced products. One of the best approaches is to ask your flooring contractor for recommendations. They can often share high-quality, manufacturer-recommended products designed specifically with your high-quality luxury vinyl flooring in mind.
Another cleaning trick is using a small amount of apple cider vinegar. It’s a gentle, natural product and can remove dirt, grime and build-up. Just be sure to dilute it: use one cup of vinegar per gallon of water for the perfect refresh. If you have a stain on your luxury vinyl floor, try water and baking soda paste or use 3-percent hydrogen peroxide with a soft-bristle nylon brush. Scrub gently–your luxury vinyl responds best to a soft touch.
Should I Wax My Luxury Vinyl Floor?
One of the most appealing things about your luxury vinyl flooring is the topcoat. Avoid waxing to protect that built-in finish. “Mop and shine” products can also leave a dull coating on your shiny vinyl.
What Are Some General Maintenance Tips for Luxury Vinyl?
One of the best things about luxury vinyl is that it’s so low-maintenance. For some of us, that can take a little getting used to. Here are a few additional tips for maintaining a gorgeous like-new luxury vinyl floor.
One essential tip for maintaining your luxury vinyl floor is not to mop too often. Once a week or twice a month is plenty. Gentle sweeping and spot cleaning are best for day-to-day maintenance.
Use doormats at entryways to help keep dirt from impacting your luxury vinyl’s shiny surface.
Put felt pads on furniture to avoid scratches and indentations from dragging or scooting furniture.
Luxury Vinyl: Easy to Clean, Easy to Love
Quality, ease of maintenance, and value: we can see why luxury vinyl is now one of our most requested flooring materials. And while it offers excellent value, it’s important not to do it on the cheap. A high-quality, professionally installed luxury vinyl floor will last for decades with proper maintenance. At Loudoun Valley Floors, we’re introducing the best quality luxury vinyl in gorgeous colors and designs all over Northern Virginia. We’re also happy to recommend mild cleaning products tailor-made for your luxury vinyl.
Professional installation takes the headache out of installing a new floor. It also makes maintenance easier since well-laid planks or tiles are easier to keep clean. This makes your luxury vinyl floor even easier to love.