Many commercial spaces use vinyl plank flooring because it's affordable and stands up to heavy use. To get the most life out of your vinyl plank flooring, you will want to deep clean and maintain it regularly. We will go over what cleaning products, tools, and methods you should use for vinyl plank flooring care.  

Invest in a single-disc machine to handle your commercial space scrubbing and polishing.

Vinyl flooring is resilient and doesn’t need harsh chemicals to keep it clean. Use soft, nylon brushes and vinyl-friendly cleaning solutions for gentle yet effective care. For tough stains, you can use isopropyl alcohol, mineral spirits, or paint thinner. The following materials are needed for routine care of vinyl plank flooring:

• Broom and dustpan or a commercial sweeper
• Vacuum cleaner without a beater bar
• Microfiber mop
• Non-abrasive scrubbing pads or brushes
• Vinyl-friendly cleaning solution

What Should You Not Clean Vinyl Plank Flooring With?

Avoid the following when cleaning vinyl plank flooring:

• Steel wool and other abrasive scrubbers: These can permanently scratch the floors.
• Ammonia and ammonia-based cleaning products: Ammonia causes vinyl to break down over time.
• Detergents: These can dull the color of the vinyl or cause stains.
• Wax and wax-based product: Wax can cause a sticky residue to build up on vinyl floors.
• Excessive amounts of water or steam cleaning: Too much water can seep into the flooring and lead to rot.

How to clean luxury vinyl plank flooring and regular vinyl plank flooring is the same. The best way to clean them is to lightly clean them daily and deep clean them at least once a month. Also, clean up spills and stains as soon as they happen to avoid them becoming a more difficult problem to clean later on. Consistency is crucial to prevent dirt buildup and maintain the floor’s durability. The step-by-step process is as follows:

Start By Vacuuming Or Sweeping

The first step of how to clean vinyl flooring is removing loose dirt and debris by vacuuming or sweeping. Vacuum or sweep daily to prevent scratches and make the rest of the cleaning process easier. Choose a gentle vacuum that is designed for commercial spaces and doesn’t have a beater bar. If you are going to sweep instead of vacuum, choose a soft bristle broom. 

Nilfisk vacuums are designed to bring hassle-free floor care to large industrial and commercial spaces.

Clean Stains And Tough Spots

Prevent long-lasting stains and tackle them and other tough spots as soon as possible with gentle spot-cleaning to avoid damaging the floor. The exact products and methods will depend on the specific mess you are handling.

• Spills: Wipe up completely with a damp cloth.
• Scuffs: Apply a small amount of mineral spirits, wipe away with a clean cloth, and rinse with water.
• Food, rust, and grass stains: Apply a vinyl-friendly cleaner or a paste made by mixing vinegar and baking soda, scrub the stain as needed, and rinse with water.
• Make-up, hair dye, and ink stains: Apply isopropyl alcohol, scrub, and rinse with water.
• Paint, crayon, or marker stains: Use mineral spirits, scrub, and rinse with water.

Mop With Vinyl-Friendly Solution

Mopping vinyl plank flooring removes grime and disinfects the surface. Depending on the function of your space and the amount of use it gets, you may want to mop every day or every few days. The key to how to mop vinyl plank flooring is to always use a mild, vinyl-friendly cleaning solution.

Dry Any Wet Spots

Avoid excessive water use when mopping or spot cleaning as it can seep between planks and cause water damage to your vinyl flooring. Immediately dry any wet areas using a soft, dry cloth or a mop. This maintains the integrity of your floors and prevents slipping, making your space safer for everyone. 

Buffer With Low-Speed Single Disc

Use a low-speed single-disc buffer to deep clean your vinyl floors. Your buffer likely came with multiple pads of different colors and abrasion levels. The white scrubbing pad is usually best for vinyl floors.

If you have a large open space, work in sections, first spraying the floor with a pH-neutral cleaner and then buffing the area. Move the buffer in side-to-side motions with steady pressure, ensuring you cover the entire sprayed area before the cleaning solution dries. The buffing may cause residue, so mop the floors again as needed. 

Choose a commercial low-speed single-disc machine for effective yet gentle vinyl floor care.

White vinegar is an easy and safe disinfectant for vinyl flooring. Mix a cup of white vinegar with a gallon of warm water and use it to mop the floor. It’s essential to sweep or vacuum the floor first to prevent damage from debris. You may also use diluted bleach as a disinfectant but be very careful to rinse the floor with hot water immediately after to avoid staining or damage. Use ¾ cup of bleach with 1 gallon of water. Use protective equipment and safe practices when handling bleach.

Regular maintenance and mindful cleaning habits can extend a vinyl floor’s lifespan even in a high-traffic commercial setting. Luxury vinyl planks (lvp) are more durable than regular vinyl and can last up to 25 years when well-maintained. Wondering how to clean lvp flooring? Clean up spills and remove stains and debris on a daily basis. Sanitize your floors as needed based on your business and deep clean them at least once a month.

Keep your vinyl plank flooring looking like new with floor cleaning solutions designed specifically for easy use in commercial and industrial spaces. One of the best ways to clean vinyl plank floors is to use a Nilfisk’s single-disc machine. They are compact enough to maneuver in tight spaces but powerful enough to perform well in large buildings. They are safe to use on vinyl floors for scrubbing and stripping.

If you are looking to speed up the amount of time it takes to do daily vinyl floor care, a commercial vacuum cleaner might be a good investment for your company. Our wet and dry vacuums work great on vinyl plank flooring and carpets.

Not sure what type of cleaning machine is right for your needs? Fill out our contact form and a Nilfisk representative can help you choose the best machine for your commercial or industrial space.