The Ultimate Guide to Cleaning Vinyl and Laminate Floors
You’ve invested in beautiful, durable flooring from Buckway’s Flooring & Design—now, let’s keep it looking brand new! One of the greatest benefits of modern vinyl and laminate is their low maintenance, but using the wrong products or techniques can prematurely dull the finish or even void your warranty.
As your established flooring retailer in Riverdale, UT, we want to make sure your floors look fantastic for years to come. Here is the ultimate guide to the right products and methods for cleaning and preserving your vinyl and laminate floors.
The Golden Rule: Avoid the Finish Killers
Before we talk about what to use, let’s identify the things that should never touch your vinyl or laminate floors:
Abrasive Cleaners: Avoid steel wool, scouring pads, and gritty powders. These will scratch the wear layer of both vinyl and laminate, leaving permanent damage.
Harsh Chemicals: Steer clear of ammonia, chlorine bleach, and oil soaps. These chemicals can break down the finish layer, leading to dullness or discoloration over time.
Steam Mops (Laminate): While safe for many types of vinyl, excessive heat and direct steam can damage the HDF core of laminate flooring, causing it to swell at the seams.
Excessive Water (Laminate): Never wet-mop laminate. Use a damp mop or a spray cleaner designed specifically for laminate.
Step-by-Step Cleaning Technique
1. Daily/Weekly Maintenance (The Dry Sweep)
The most important thing you can do is prevent grit and dirt from scratching the surface.
Frequency: Daily, or as needed in high-traffic areas.
Tool: Use a soft-bristle broom, a dust mop, or a vacuum cleaner with a hard-floor attachment (brush mode, not beater bar).
Technique: Focus on entryways, kitchens, and hallways where dirt is tracked in. Fine grit acts like sandpaper and is the number one enemy of any floor finish.
2. Deep Cleaning (The Damp Wipe)
This step removes sticky residue, footprints, and spills.
For Vinyl (LVP/LVT): Vinyl is waterproof, giving you flexibility. Use a damp mop with a small amount of pH-neutral floor cleaner (designed for vinyl or “hard surfaces”). Avoid leaving standing water.
For Laminate: Use a very lightly dampened microfiber mop. Spray the cleaner directly onto the mop pad—not the floor—to control the moisture. Wring the mop thoroughly so it is just barely damp.
3. Handling Tough Stains and Scuffs
For stubborn marks, spot-clean carefully:
Scuff Marks: Try erasing them gently with a clean pencil eraser.
Ink/Marker: Use a small amount of rubbing alcohol on a soft cloth.
Grease/Oil: A touch of dish soap mixed with water on a clean cloth often does the trick.
Always rinse the area immediately with a clean, water-dampened cloth to remove any cleaning solution residue.
Buckway’s Top Tip: Protect with Prevention
The best cleaning strategy is prevention. Place doormats at every exterior door to trap grit, and use felt protectors under all furniture legs to prevent scratching and denting.
Need advice on the best cleaning products for the specific vinyl or laminate line you purchased? Our family-owned business has been serving Riverdale, UT, for over 30 years, and we have the expertise to guide you. Stop by Buckway’s Flooring & Design today to chat with one of our experienced family members and get personalized cleaning advice that will preserve your investment!