How Do I Clean LVP Flooring?

Luxury vinyl plank flooring (LVP flooring) is a fantastic option for homeowners. It looks great and is cheaper to install than hardwood. Another great benefit is that it’s easy to clean and maintain. But what are some of the best ways to keep your LVP flooring clean, disinfected, and shining bright? 

While keeping your floor clean might be easy, there are many ways to go about it. And if you’re new to luxury vinyl plank flooring, you might have a few questions. 

In this article, we’ll discuss everything you need to know about cleaning your luxury vinyl plank flooring and provide tips and tricks to keep them looking their best.

Your Basic LVP Cleaning Routine

Just like any other flooring, LVP will need a regular cleaning routine to keep it looking healthy; however, LVP does have a much higher risk of damage if you aren’t careful. Dirt and debris can end up causing severe damage if ignored, so make sure you’re sweeping your floors daily. I’ve also had great success with a deep clean twice a month.

Here’s a recommended cleaning routine for LVP floors. Following these steps will help prevent scratches that can ruin your home’s appearance:

1. Wipe off spills or remove stains immediately.
2. Sweep, dry mop, or use a vacuum cleaner daily.
3. Deep clean with a wet mop twice a month.

You’ll have an excellent base routine for cleaning your floors with this routine. Here’s a step by step video on how to do a basic clean for your LVP flooring. If you’re looking to go that extra step further, you can take your deep clean to a whole new level.

The Art of the Deep Clean

When you hear the phrase “deep clean,” it might sound like a lot of work. But the good news is that owning LVP makes it simple—just be sure to pay close attention to the types of cleaning products you use. 

Certain floor cleaners can damage your LVP floor’s protective layer. This damage can lead to moisture getting into your plank’s core, causing even more problems like swelling or rotting. 

To avoid issues like this, you should only use these tools when deep cleaning your LVP floors:

• Vacuum cleaner or dry mop
• Microfiber cloth
• Dish soap
• Wet mop
• Vinyl plank cleaning solution or apple cider/white vinegar
• Bucket of water

Once you have all of your supplies handy, it’s time to get cleaning! If you need visual instructions, following along with this video on how to deep clean your LVP flooring.

1. Start with a Dry Cleaning

Whether you’re doing a quick clean or deep clean, you’ll always want to start by sweeping, vacuuming, or using a dry mop. This way, dust and debris are removed from your floors before using a wet mop. If you start wet mopping with dirt and grit on your floor, you could leave ugly scratch marks.

Here are some of my favorite tips to get the most out of your dry cleaning:

Get Every Inch – Including the Baseboards

These areas can also get dirty, and it’s easy for the dirt to fall onto your fresh floors.

Sweep Frequently

The more often you sweep, the fewer chances of dirt and debris damaging your floors. For the gentlest clean, use a microfiber mop or dust mop as opposed to a rough-bristled broom.

Use a Doormat

Doormats placed by your home’s entrances can help collect things like dirt or salt, so they never touch your LVP flooring.

Use the Proper Settings on Your Vacuum

You’ll get the best results with an option that has low suction. It would be best to use a soft brush attachment to avoid any scratching.

2. Move on to a Wet Cleaning

Once you finish with the dry mop and vacuum, you can use the wet mop to eliminate any caked-on dirt or grime. There are a few different cleaning solution options you can use on your floors when wet mopping. Each of them has its benefits and uses in certain situations. 

If you’re using an all-purpose cleaner on your floor, I recommend using a pH-neutral cleaner. These cleaners won’t damage any protective coatings your floor may have, so they’re great for keeping LVP nice and shiny.

Here’s a simple and effective homemade all-purpose solution you can use on your floors:

• ½ cup apple cider vinegar or white vinegar
• 1-gallon warm water

It’s as simple as combining the above ingredients in a bucket. You can then use this solution to mop your vinyl floors. Rinse your mop off with water and do one more pass so that you don’t end up with vinegar residue on the floor.

Here are some tips for a thorough wet cleaning:

Check the Floor for Stains 

Use soapy water to remove any spots you notice. Use isopropyl alcohol or a baking soda paste for more stubborn stains or discoloration. 

Use the Proper Cleaning Solution

You’ll see the best results with the apple cider vinegar and water solution or a vinyl plank-specific cleaner.

Dry Your Floors

I always like to use a microfiber cloth to dry the floor right after I finish mopping.

While the cleaning process is pretty straightforward, you might still have some questions. Here are some common ones I found myself asking when I first started living with LVP floors.

Can I Steam Mop My LVP Floors?

Steam mopping might seem like a quick way to clean your whole floor. But no matter how much you want to, you should never steam mop LVP flooring. No vinyl floor can resist steam, as vinyl is a kind of plastic. When the plastic meets high heat from the steam mop, you’re guaranteed to damage the protective layer.

Can I Use a Swiffer on My LVP Flooring?

Yes, Swiffers are safe to use on luxury vinyl flooring. Swiffer WetJet mops are especially good at getting rid of tough stains or grime. They come with a microfiber mop that won’t damage your floors. 

Can I Wax my LVP Flooring?

While LVP flooring looks like hardwood, it doesn’t need any waxing. And even though you might get a nice shine from wax, many wax products can damage your finish. I recommend sticking with a high-quality vinyl floor sealer or an acrylic finish for a healthy shine.

Keep in mind that if you go with an acrylic finish, any high-speed buffing can also damage your floors over time. 

Can I Use Pine-Sol on Vinyl Floors?

You can use Pine-Sol to clean and sanitize your LVP flooring. Use a wet mop to run the cleaning solution over your floor. Remember to wring your mop out to avoid leaving any residue that could leave your floor feeling sticky. I’d also recommend doing a spot test with Pine-Sol, as it can end up causing discoloration or streaking on some types of vinyl flooring.

How Safe Is It to Use Other Common Household Cleaners?

For stuck-on stains or tough grease, Dawn dish soap is another excellent choice. I’d recommend using a few drops in a gallon of warm water and using it to spot-clean any spills you might have missed, rather than covering the floor with it. Fabuloso, another standard all-purpose cleaner, is also a great contender for vinyl floor cleaning. 

You should also rinse well with water after using chemical products and use them only when you need to. If you’re not doing a deep clean, plain water will usually be enough.

Whatever you do, avoid using ammonia or bleach as they can quickly ruin the protective layer of your floor. While you could have some success with a mild bleach and warm water mixture, it’s risky, and you’re better off using a gentler cleaning method.

Why Are My Vinyl Floors Dull Looking?

They might be simple enough to clean, but vinyl floors need some extra attention to shine. I’ve had great success with ½ cup of Murphy’s Oil Soap diluted in a gallon of water and a touch of baby oil. 

Wipe your floor with the solution and wait 15 minutes. Rinse well. Do your best not to use too much of the cleaner to avoid damaging the protective layer. It’s best to use a vinyl floor cloth for this. These cloths will help keep your floors moisture-free, so they’ll retain their shine for longer.

How Can I Remove Stains and Discoloration?

My go-to vinegar and water solution is excellent for removing simple stains and doesn’t leave any residue. But for tougher stains or discoloration, you can use a thick paste made from baking soda and water. The paste will act as an abrasive, so make sure to scrub gently and clean up any leftover paste with another cloth. 

How Can I Prevent Damage to My Vinyl Flooring?

Regular sweeping, vacuuming, and cleaning up any spills are the most critical parts of vinyl floor maintenance. You can also use furniture pads to prevent heavy furniture from causing floor scratches, which can be hard to get rid of. 

LVP Clean Wrap-Up

I’m passionate about helping homeowners keep their flooring healthy and neat. As a proud owner of LVP myself, I know how a beautiful, clean floor can change your home. Did you enjoy this article? Sound off in the comment section, and share the article if you found it helpful.