More property owners are switching to luxury vinyl tiles. If you’re considering doing the same for your new construction or renovation project, here are several tips to remember. With these suggestions, you’ll know what you’re signing up for. Is it the best flooring choice for you? Read on and find out.
Regular Cleaning Works
The last thing you want is flooring with demanding care rules and guidelines. That’s why luxury vinyl tiles are the perfect choice. They’re easy to clean. You only need to vacuum or sweep regularly. You can also wipe the floor with a cleaner once a week. There’s no need to use a wet mop, a steam cleaner, or bleach-based products. That said, you’ll also need to skip cleaning supplies with abrasive ingredients that could corrode the tiles, such as scouring pads. You also don’t need furniture polish. That means saving a ton of money on supplies alone, notes California Realty Group Management.
Use Carpets and Rugs
Not that you know how to clean LVT flooring, the next step is finding out how to protect your flooring. That’s where carpets and rugs come in. You can use carpets and doormats by the doors. For heavy furniture, consider putting felt on their legs. That way, whenever you need to move the furniture, the felt will protect the surface of the flooring, ensuring no unsightly scratches or dents are left behind. Of course, it’s always better to lift the furniture since there can still be grit, dust, or residue that could cause scratches or leave marks on the floor. However, if that’s not possible, replacing the pads or felt on the legs of the furniture can help, too.
Eliminate Puddles
Spills and stains are inevitable. That’s why having carpets and rugs is handy. They catch those spills, keeping your LVT flooring protected. Spills might seem like a tiny issue. If you’re the type to leave spills alone, taking your time fixing the kitchen or living room first is a habit you’ll want to change. Train yourself to clean up spills right away. That’s because spills that soak through the floor are bad news. If you leave the puddles to soak in, that can negatively impact the tiles. The excess humidity and moisture can loosen up the fit or leave the flooring with a stubborn stain. In either case, you end up with a problem. The best way to prevent it is to simply deal with puddles as quickly as they come. That way, the puddle won’t have a chance to soak into the material of your flooring, preventing a host of potential problems.
Clean Regularly
One of the best things about LVT flooring is that you can sweep the room or use the vacuum. That’s all you need to keep the dirt off the floor. However, you’ll need to do this regularly. Dust accumulates every day. Missing a day or two might not be so bad. But if you only clean once a week, some of the dust might have a chance to bond with the dirt, making it even trickier to wipe off the combined dust and dirt. Keep the flooring clean by sweeping the floor daily. That keeps the grit and dirt away.
Consider the Edges
If you have LVT flooring, you have bevelled edges. Make sure you also clean those spots carefully. Those areas can pick up a lot of dust. Vacuum over them thoroughly to prevent dirt and grit from getting out.
Avoid Soap-Based Products
Research the cleaning supplies you can use for your LVT flooring. Some have harsh ingredients, so skip those options. Another thing to cross off your list are soap-based products. They leave an unwanted film over the surface of the floor. For the best results, mix the right cleaning product with warm water.
Sweep with the Grain
When you sweep the floor, determine where the grain is. Then sweep in that direction. That will leave less grit and dirt behind. Be sure to check the grain size of the flooring, so you’ll know in which direction to go.
Take Out the Stains
If a stain does happen, despite your best efforts, no worries. There are plenty of ways to remove the stain without damaging the LVT floor. If you missed it and you failed to clean the spot as soon as it happened, use a damp cloth with hot water and a cleaner that works for your LVT floor. That can wipe the stain off successfully. Be sure to check the label of the cleaning tool, to see if it’s ideal for luxury flooring.
Invest in Tools
Be sure to have the right cleaning tools. You only need cloths that you can use to wipe the dirt, something you can use to mop or sweep the floor, and the cleaning supplies. Check if they’re all meant to be used for LVT floors before ordering those items.
