Step by step: how to clean vinyl plank flooring
- 1
Dry clean to pick up grit
Sweep with a soft broom, run a microfiber dust mop, or vacuum with the brush roll off. Sand and grit are what scratch the wear layer, so this is the step that keeps the floor looking new. Do it daily in kitchens and entries if you can.
- 2
Mix a pH-neutral cleaner
Dilute a neutral floor cleaner in warm water exactly as the label says, or use a ready-to-use spray. More cleaner leaves a film that dulls the floor and shows footprints. Plain warm water works for light dirt.
- 3
Damp mop, do not flood
Wring the microfiber pad until it is barely damp, or mist the cleaner onto the floor a few feet at a time. Mop along the length of the planks. The floor should dry in a minute or two; water left standing can seep into the seams of click-together planks.
- 4
Switch pads when they get dirty
Change to a clean pad as soon as the first looks gray, so you are not spreading dirt into the texture of the planks. Embossed vinyl with a wood-grain texture holds dirt in its grooves, so a clean pad matters more than pressure.
- 5
Treat stubborn spots with rubbing alcohol
Dampen a white cloth with isopropyl alcohol and rub the spot gently, then wipe with a cloth dampened in plain water. This works for marker, dye and most sticky residue; Mannington lists isopropyl alcohol on a white cloth for scuffs and marks. Rub black rubber heel marks with a cloth lightly dampened with mineral spirits, then wipe clean.
- 6
Let it dry and wash the pads
Keep people and pets off until the floor is dry. Wash microfiber pads without fabric softener, which coats the fibers and makes them leave streaks next time.
What not to use on vinyl plank floors
Skip vinegar, ammonia, abrasives, oil soap and products that polish or wax. They are the usual reason a vinyl floor looks dull, sticky or hazy. Shaw Floors says to avoid abrasive cleaners, ammonia-based products, vinegar-based products and harsh chemicals on its luxury vinyl, and to use neutral pH cleaners for routine maintenance. Makers do not all agree on ammonia, though: Mannington’s ADURA care guide calls for a clear, non-sudsy ammonia-based cleaner in warm water, while also saying never to wax or polish its floors and not to use soap or detergent products, which leave a dulling film. Follow the care sheet for your brand.
| Product | Why to skip it |
|---|---|
| Vinegar | Acidic; Shaw’s care guide says not to use it on its resilient floors |
| One-step “clean and shine” products, wax, oil soap | Build up a film that looks streaky and traps dirt |
| Ammonia (unless your floor’s maker calls for it), bleach, harsh degreasers | Can dull or discolor the wear layer |
| Abrasive powders, scouring pads, magic erasers | Scratch the wear layer, which cannot be refinished |
| Steam mops | Heat and moisture can loosen seams and edges; many vinyl warranties exclude them, so check yours |
Is cleaning different for LVP, rigid core and sheet vinyl?
No, the method is the same for luxury vinyl plank (LVP) floors, rigid core (SPC or WPC) and sheet vinyl: dry clean, then damp mop with a neutral cleaner. The differences are in how much water they can take at the seams.
- Click-together planks and rigid core floors float over the subfloor, so water that gets into the seams can reach underneath. Mop damp, never wet.
- Glue-down vinyl and sheet vinyl can lose adhesion if flooded. Shaw’s resilient care guide warns that flood mopping, hosing and frequent spills can loosen adhesive, and says not to wash a new installation for 5 days.
- “Waterproof” on the box usually refers to the planks themselves, not the seams or the subfloor, so wipe up spills promptly either way.
How to protect vinyl plank flooring between cleanings
Keep grit, rubber and heavy point loads off the floor. Prevention matters more on vinyl than on wood, because a worn or stained wear layer cannot be sanded and refinished.
- Use mats at outside doors, but avoid rubber or latex backed mats. Shaw notes that certain rubber compounds can permanently stain vinyl, and that tracked-in asphalt can discolor it. Mannington also warns that rubber-backed, latex-backed and coco fiber mats can stain or damage the surface.
- Put wide, non-staining protectors under heavy furniture and appliance legs; Shaw suggests at least 2 inches wide, and casters at least 2 inches in diameter.
- Close blinds during peak sun. Prolonged direct sunlight can discolor vinyl and make planks expand.
- Wipe spills as soon as they happen. The longer a spill sits, the greater the chance it stains.
Have hardwood in other rooms? It needs a different cleaner; see our hardwood floor guide.
Mistakes to avoid
- Mopping with vinegar and water, which many vinyl makers say not to use.
- Using a “mop and shine” product that leaves a sticky, cloudy layer.
- Flooding the floor with a soaking wet string mop.
- Running a vacuum with the beater bar on, which can scuff the surface.
- Putting rubber-backed rugs on vinyl, which can leave yellow stains.
Products that make this easier
Optional. Everything above works with basic supplies; these just save time or effort.
- See it on Amazon
Ready-to-use cleaner
Bona Hard-Surface Floor Cleaner
A residue-free spray for vinyl, tile and laminate that dries quickly. Make sure you buy the hard-surface version, not the hardwood formula.
- See it on Amazon
Budget concentrate
Zep Neutral pH Floor Cleaner
A neutral cleaner you dilute in a bucket, so one bottle lasts a long time. Measure it; too much leaves a film.
- See it on Amazon
Wrings almost dry
O-Cedar EasyWring Microfiber Spin Mop
The spin bucket wrings the head nearly dry, which is what vinyl seams need. Change the water when it looks cloudy.
- See it on Amazon
Quick weekly mop
Rubbermaid Reveal Spray Mop
A refillable spray mop with a washable microfiber pad, good for fast weekly passes. Fill it with a neutral cleaner, not vinegar.
As an Amazon Associate, Broombook earns from qualifying purchases. Links open the product on Amazon, where sizes, sellers and prices change.