Vinyl / Resilient Floor Cleaning & Maintenance

Your new floor is installed and everything looks beautiful - and that's exactly how you want to keep it. Here are some general care guidelines. These, combined with the manufacturer's information, should tell you all you need to know to keep everything looking like new.

The first 24 to 72 hours after the flooring is installed calls for special precautions.

Keeping the floor clean is not hard, but there are some guidelines to increase the life of your flooring.
Dust, sand and grit particles are the enemy. Sweep or vacuum frequently. Don't use a vacuum with a beater bar as it may scratch your floor. And don't use scrub brushes.

When sweeping or vacuuming does not remove the dirt, mop the floor with clean warm water. Rinse the floor thoroughly with fresh water.
If water alone does not clean the surface, use cleaning products recommended by the manufacturer. Most "no-rinse" cleaners will work just fine.

When all else fails, use your head. No - not like that, silly! An ounce or so of liquid detergent or ammonia in a gallon of water will work, but you will need to rinse the floor well.

Do NOT use detergents, abrasive cleaners or "mop and shine" products. And always toss in an ounce of prevention. Mats or rugs in front of outside doors will help keep the dust and grit from getting to the floor in the first place. Be sure the mats and rugs you buy are for vinyl floors. Some rubber-backed mats may leave stains or marks.

For spots or spills, wipe them up immediately and use the same technique on the spot as you would for the whole floor.

If you have a seam open up, you need to cover it to keep out the dirt. The same applies if you get a cut or gouge in your new floor. Dirt makes it harder to repair. Call your retailer or installer for information on who should repair the seam.