Cleaning Vinyl Flooring

1. Choose the right tools for vinyl flooring
Vinyl flooring is easily maintained using tools designed for the job, such as a high-quality microfiber flat mop and a properly formulated pH-neutral floor cleaner. Microfiber picks up ten times more dirt than cotton, resulting in fewer streaks, while pH-neutral soap removes grease and grime without dulling the vinyl's acrylic top layer.

2. Damp-mop vinyl flooring
Even vinyl plank flooring marketed as waterproof often has seams that are not watertight. This makes the flooring susceptible to water damage where moisture seeps into the seams and along the baseboards. To prevent damage, it is best to use a "damp-mop" technique. First, thoroughly vacuum the floor using a canister vacuum with a horsehair hard-floor attachment to avoid scratching the surface; vacuuming removes more dirt than sweeping.
3. Avoid cleaning tools that leave vinyl flooring too wet
String mops and steam mops are major no-nos. Regardless of the tool you use, the key is to never leave puddles or soak the floor, as water can seep in and damage the underlayment and subfloor. Vinyl flooring is also prone to scratching and dulling, so never scrub it with anything more abrasive than the non-scratch side of a kitchen sponge.
4. Stay on top of messes that could harm your vinyl flooring
All hard flooring-vinyl or otherwise-should be mopped according to the level of foot traffic in the room. For most households, high-traffic areas like kitchens, bathrooms, and entryways should be mopped weekly or every other week.