How to Look After and Clean Your Vinyl Floor.
Fri 07th December 2012 by Burts Carpets | posted in vinyl
You have chosen your new vinyl floor but how do you look after it and make sure it stays in tiptop condition. Please find below some guides and tips from Rhinofloor -
1. Protection against damage by furniture and stileto heels
Place large surface plastic castor cups under any chair legs and heavy appliances
When moving furniture or heavy appliances which may have sharp feet such as washing machines, freezers, cookers, etc, slide a piece of hardboard or inverted carpet underneath, manoeuvre the appliance onto it, then slide it out onto a second piece of hardboard
Avoid subjecting the flooring to stiletto heels, sharp knives etc. and hot surfaces such as saucepans
2. Protection against tracked in dirt
Prevent damage to your floorcovering from grit brought in underfoot by having a doormat at entrances from outside. This will save unnecessary cleaning up as well!
Do not use latex/rubber-backed doormats, unless stipulated by their manufacturer that they do not stain vinyl products, as this may discolour your floorcovering
3. Safety
Mop up spillages on the surface immediately
Remember, that all vinyl floorings can be slippery when wet
4. Cleaning
Sweep up any pieces of grit and dirt
Regularly damp mop with a suitable diluted floor cleaner, following the manufacturer’s dilution recommendations
Thoroughly rinse the floor with clean warm water. Leave this to dry before walking on the floor.
Do not use strong detergents, harsh abrasive powders or wire wool scouring pads, as they will damage the surface of your floorcovering
Always mop up any spillages immediately
5. Stains
The following can permanently stain your new floorcovering:
- Shoe polishes
- Some veterinary ointments
- Hair dye and other preparations
- Bitumen/tar tracked in from freshly
- Some powder paints
- Resurfaced roads and pathways
- Wax crayons
- Some highly coloured foods e.g. Ketchup
- Some animal excreta
6. Rubber staining
Some latexes/rubbers, which contain certain antioxidants, can permanently stain your floor. Rubber of this type is often used in the manufacture of backings for rugs and mats, protective feet for stools and wheels for trolleys as well as low cost shoes and slippers. These can all produce a yellow staining on the heavily trafficked areas of your floor.
7. Recommended cleaning products
Rhinofloor recommends the use of the following cleaning products:
Dettol Anti-Bacterial Direct Floor Cleaner
Dettol Antibacterial Multi-Action Dilutable Liquid Lemon
Sainsbury’s Perform Anti-Bacterial All Purpose Cleane,
Sainsbury’s All Purpose Cleaner
Tesco All Purpose Cleaner
Strong bleach and pine gel products are not recommended.