How To Make Vinyl Floors Shine? - Best Vacuum For Vinyl Floors

When freshly installed, vinyl floors exude a charming elegance. However, the passage of time, accumulation of dirt, and the wear and tear of daily use will gradually diminish the floor’s luster after a few years. So How To Make Vinyl Floors Shine like new. Luckily, Vinyl flooring maintenance is a breeze when using common household cleaners. In this guide, we will provide step-by-step instructions on restoring the appearance of your floors and ensuring their long-lasting shine. Keep reading to discover the secrets of effective vinyl floors care.

Tools Needs To Make Vinyl Plank Floors Shine

Here is what you need to prepare:

Baking soda
Apple cider vinegar
A soft-bristled brush
Clean cotton or sponge mops
Scrubber
Floor stripper solution
Mineral oil or baby oil
WD-40 lubricant
Any kind of dish soap
Clean water

These items are readily available in your house or at a nearby supermarket. Gather them all and kickstart the process of polishing your vinyl plank flooring.

Cleaning & Polishing Vinyl Floors

Step 1. Choose The Right Polishing Solution:

To ensure the longevity of your vinyl plank floor, it is crucial to select an appropriate polish solution that won’t cause any damage. Harsh chemicals can strip away the protective layer of your vinyl floor, leaving it more susceptible to stains and scratches.
Using the wrong polishing solution can result in floor damage or leave stubborn residue on the surface. To prevent these issues, it is recommended to follow the manufacturer’s guidelines regarding vinyl polishing products. By doing so, you can maintain a beautiful and long-lasting vinyl floor.

Step 2. Remove The Old Finish:

How To Cleaning & Polishing Vinyl Floors

This step is optional. If you have previously applied wax or a commercial finish, it is recommended to remove it. However, if this doesn’t apply to you, let’s move on to step 3: clean your floors.
Use a vacuum or a dry mop to gather any debris on the surface. There’s no need to wet clean the floor at this stage, as we will apply liquid later on. This step is crucial to prevent any scratches during subsequent processes.
Once the floor is clean, it’s time to apply the floor stripper solution. Use a dry cotton mop to distribute the solution evenly across the surface. Remember to keep the layer thin. Allow the solution to sit and penetrate for 5 to 10 minutes. Next, take a scrubber and carefully remove the old layer, ensuring you clean up any remaining residue with a damp mop. Rinse with the mop thoroughly and let it dry completely before proceeding to the next step.

Step 3. Clean your Vinyl floors:

To begin, remove the surface dirt by vacuuming the floors using a vacuum without beater bars. These bars have the potential to cause scratches on the vinyl surface over time. Make sure to thoroughly clean every crevice and corner, including along baseboards and in hard-to-reach areas under furniture.
If you don’t have to deal with tough stains, a mop dampened with plain water will suffice. Instead of soaking the mop, dampen it just enough for a thorough clean. It’s important to avoid excessive wetness on vinyl floors as it can increase the risk of moisture damage.
Clean floors with the help of apple cider vinegar. Its natural acidity effectively eliminates dirt and debris, leaving no residue behind. Here’s how to make your floors squeaky clean: Mix one cup of vinegar with approximately 4 liters of hot water. Mop your floors as usual, ensuring thorough coverage.
For heavily soiled floors, add a few drops of dishwashing soap to the vinegar-water mixture. After the first mop, rinse the floor with a second mop using water and vinegar to eliminate grime. Want your vinyl floors to shine? Add a few drops of baby oil to the water-vinegar mixture during the second mop.
If the vinyl floor has scratches, To reduce the visibility of scratches, rub a lubricant like WD-40 onto the affected area. Remove any residue by mopping with a solution of cider vinegar and water.

Step 4. Prepare The Polishing Solution:

To achieve a polished shine on your clean floor, it’s time to prepare the solution. You have two options: using commercial vinyl polishing products or homemade solutions like baking soda, household alcohol or vinegar.

If you choose commercial products, make sure to follow the preparation and application instructions for outstanding results. On the other hand, if you prefer a more natural approach, using baking soda, household alcohol or vinegar can get the job done effectively.

Now, let’s explore how to clean naturally your vinyl flooring.

Step 5. How To Make Shiny Vinyl Floor

Shine Vinyl Floor Using Baking Powder:

Start by mixing 4 tablespoons of baking soda with 3 liters of warm water. Ensure to stir the solution thoroughly for a consistent mixture.
Next, grab a damp mop and apply the baking soda solution to the floor. Make sure to cover the entire surface area. Let it sit for up to 10 minutes, allowing the solution to work its magic.
Once the designated time has passed, take another damp mop and rinse off the baking soda solution from the floor. You may need to rinse the floor a second time to remove any whitish residue that may remain.
Lastly, allow the floor to dry completely before resuming use.

Polish Vinyl Floor Using Vinegar:

White vinegar is a versatile powerhouse for cleaning, deodorizing, and sanitizing floors. It effortlessly eliminates grime, leaving behind a brilliant shine. Here’s how to use vinegar to shine luxury vinyl floors.

Prepare a mixture by combining half a cup of white vinegar, a tablespoon of liquid dishwashing soap, a tablespoon of mineral oil, and 4 liters of water. Ensure thorough stirring.
Dip a clean mop into the solution, making it damp. Apply the solution generously to your vinyl floors, ensuring comprehensive coverage.
To ensure cleanliness, either grab a fresh mop or rinse your current mop before proceeding to give the floor a thorough rinse with plain water.
Allow the floor to air dry, and watch it come alive with a stunning sparkle.

Use Household Alcohol To Shine Vinyl Floors:

Household Alcohol as an effective solution for removing grime and tough stains, leaving your floors sparkling clean. This guide will show you how to create a homemade alcohol-based floor polish that is particularly effective for revitalizing old vinyl floors. Follow these simple steps:

Mix 4 tablespoons of household alcohol with a liter of lukewarm water.
Submerge a clean mop into the alcohol and water mixture.
Wring out any excess water and begin mopping your floors as usual.
Allow the floor to dry completely before using. [1] [2]

How to Maintain Shiny Vinyl Plank Floors

How to Maintain Shiny Vinyl Plank Floors

Now that your vinyl floor is clean and shining, you must learn how to keep it looking its best. Here are some useful tips for keeping your floors in perfect condition:

Sweep or vacuum regularly to remove dirt before it accumulates on the surface.
Use specific mats for high traffic areas to absorb dirt and grime before it accumulates on the floor surface.
Dry mop after mopping to remove any remaining moisture that may cause discoloration.
Avoid harsh cleaners and abrasive scouring pads when cleaning. Instead, use a damp mop with mild detergent or a solution of vinegar and water.
Keep the floor free of spills and use a damp cloth to wipe up any liquid immediately.
Place protective pads on furniture legs to reduce friction and prevent scratching.
If you notice any scratches, apply lubricant such as WD-40 and rub it with a soft cloth in the direction of the scratch until it disappears. However, always test the lubricant on an inconspicuous area before using it.

Tips to fix scratches and scuffs on your vinyl floor

Vinyl floors are incredibly durable but can suffer from a few minor issues such as scratches and scuffs. Here are some tips on how to repair minor damage:

For small scratches, use a clean cloth with mineral oil or car wax and rub it into the scratch in circular motions. Make sure to wipe off any excess product.
For deeper scratches, use a slightly damp cloth and baking soda. Rub the cloth over the scratched area in circular motions until the scratch disappears.
For scuffs and dirt buildup, use an eraser or a clean white cloth dampened with rubbing alcohol to gently rub away the marks. Make sure to wipe away any excess product.

It’s important to remember that you should always use the gentlest cleaning and repairing methods possible when caring for your vinyl floors. These solutions are designed to make minor repairs or clean the surface, not completely replace or repolish an entire floor section. For major damage, it’s best to consult a professional flooring specialist for proper repairs and installation.

Conclusion

Well-maintained vinyl floors can last for many years if proper care and maintenance are consistently monitored. Following the steps mentioned in this article will help you keep your vinyl floor looking as good as new! Keep these tips in mind and you’ll be sure to enjoy a beautiful, shining vinyl floor for years to come.

If you need more information about vinyl floor care, make sure to check out our blog for more helpful tips and tricks!

Maybe you are interested: Best Vacuum For Vinyl Floors

FAQs

Q: How do I clean dirt from my vinyl floors?

A: Regular vacuuming or sweeping can help keep dirt on the surface of the floor to a minimum. On top of that, you can use a mild detergent with water or a solution of vinegar and water to clean your vinyl floors as needed.

Q: How often should I mop my vinyl floors?

A: Depending on the level of foot traffic in your house, mopping may be required once a week or every few weeks. It’s important to monitor the state of your floors to determine when a mop is necessary.

Q: What should I do if my vinyl floor gets scratched?

A: For small scratches, you can use mineral oil or car wax with a clean cloth to fill in and cover up the scratch. You may also use baking soda and a slightly damp cloth for deeper scratches. For scuffs or dirt buildup, an eraser or clean white cloth dampened with rubbing alcohol should do the trick.

Q: Does vinyl flooring require special care?

A: Yes, it does! Vinyl floors need to be cleaned regularly and treated with mild solutions such as soap and water or vinegar and water. Additionally, it is important to keep furniture legs protected with pads and clean up any spills immediately. Following these steps will help keep your vinyl floor looking its best!

Q: What should I avoid when cleaning my vinyl floors?

A: You should avoid using harsh cleaners, abrasive scouring pads, steel wool and bleach when cleaning your vinyl floor. It is also important to steer clear of any products that contain ammonia or acetone as they can cause discoloration. Additionally, you should always use the gentlest cleaning and repairing methods possible to maintain your floor’s condition.

Q: how to make vinyl floors shine naturally?

A: You can make your vinyl floors shine naturally by using a solution of white vinegar, liquid dishwashing soap, mineral oil and water. Mop on the mixture generously and rinse with plain water afterwards. Allow it to air dry and you will be left with stunning results! Alternatively, you can use household alcohol in a mixture of lukewarm water for a deeper clean.

Simon Vega