Got LVP Flooring? Here’s The Homeowner’s Guide To Cleaning It.
LVP or Luxury Vinyl Planking flooring is an excellent alternative to hardwood flooring that is still durable, long lasting, and beautiful. LVP is made of compressed vinyl layers that help it keep its shape under immense pressure and use. They can stand up to everyday wear and tear very well and are easier to clean than other surfaces like traditional vinyl or tile. On the other hand, LVP has downsides. There are very specific ways in which you should be cleaning LVP flooring. In today’s blog, we’re going to cover some of the basics that you should know when it comes to cleaning and maintaining your LVP flooring in your home.
Sweep And Mop More Frequently
When it comes to LVP one of the things that people love about it is that it can have the appearance of wood but without the cost and additional upkeep, however unlike wood flooring, LVP is very prone to scratches and scuffs that can be permanent. This is why you need to be sweeping and mopping your LVP flooring much more often than you would other flooring types. It’s recommended that you sweep twice a week if possible in order to prevent buildup of bits of dirt and dust that can scratch the surface if left unchecked for too long.
Mop, But Use Caution: Use Microfiber Mop Heads
You can definitely mop your LVP floor, but you should keep a few things in mind. Similar to hardwood floors, LVP flooring has gaps between strips that can allow trace amounts of water to seep down to the baseboards below. Too much moisture and you will start to see rot, mold, and other water damage related issues in your home’s baseboards, and that can be a serious issue down the road. When mopping your LVP make sure that you use low moisture, soft, microfiber mop heads with the bare minimum amount of water for each mopping session. String mops and other types of mops can slosh around too much moisture and can lead to water damage.
Make sure that you run a fan on your floor surface after mopping as well to help evaporate any extra water that may have started to seep below.
Don’t Use Abrasive Cleaning Tools
When cleaning up spot spills and scuff marks on your LVP, make sure that you are always using soft brushes and cloth towels. When in doubt, use microfiber! Avoid things like steel wool, hard bristled plastic scrubbers, brillo pads, or the like. Also, avoid using a steam cleaner on your LVP as it can damage the surface of the flooring and put excess moisture in between planks.
When choosing a cleaning solution, opt for as low power as you can possibly go. Avoid things like ammonia and bleach as they can damage the vinyl and leave residue. Don’t use things like wax or other polishes as they aren’t typically designed to be used on vinyl.
In Conclusion
Hopefully you enjoyed our collection of LVP floor maintenance tips. Being a homeowner is not without its challenges. But, those challenges can be tackled easily with a little extra knowhow. And that is exactly what we aim to provide around here at FAMCO. We want to make sure that every homeowner is prepared for the task ahead with the best news and information and quality products available. Shop our store online here or contact us to learn more about what FAMCO has to offer when it comes to high quality HVAC supplies and ventilation accessories.
