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Can You Use Pine Sol on Vinyl Flooring? (Quick Facts)

Home does not feel clean without the smell of pine sol. With the increase in the vast number of alternatives in flooring, it is hard to keep up with what to follow and what to avoid.

It is general to have concerns about whether pine sol is safe for your vinyl flooring.

Can you use pine sol on vinyl flooring?

You can use Pine-Sol on vinyl flooring, but only the Pine-Sol multi-surface cleaner. Other Pine-sol products are too harsh and will damage vinyl flooring. The pine-sol multi-surface cleaner should be used in right amount, so it doesn’t damage the vinyl floor in the long term.

The generally accepted product to clean vinyl flooring differs from person to person. Pine-sol could be used to clean vinyl floorings, but it is highly discouraged. Using Pine-sol to clean vinyl floorings requires high precaution.

Ammonia-based cleaning solutions should not be used on vinyl floorings in high concentration: non-neutral pH and abrasive products damage vinyl floors. Regular Pine-sol cleaners have a pH value of 10-11.

This pH level is good to terminate germs and bacteria, but it damages vinyl flooring and even luxury vinyl plank flooring over time.

Pine-sol multi-surface cleaner is often regarded by some as the superior product to clean households. But, to clean vinyl flooring, you need neutral pH cleaners or diluted Pine-sol solution.

Making a Pine-sol solution is easy, and the best way to clean with Pine-sol is discussed in a later section.

Will Pine-Sol damage vinyl floors?

Moderate usage of Pine-sol does not damage vinyl floors. However, we are humans, and we often make mistakes unknowingly. So, it is best to use other vinyl flooring-friendly products.

More prolonged usage of Pine-sol changes the appearance into a sticky and oily texture. Regular use of Pine-sol is the main reason for discoloration. Abrasive products are suggested not to use on vinyl floorings.

Too much usage weakens vinyl flooring glues that often lead to changing the whole sheet. Sometimes it can break down vinyl floorings material and cause cracks, but these problems can be avoided with proper usage.

Pine-Sol Multi-Surface Cleaner, Lemon Fresh Scent, 100 oz, 2-Pack

4 reasons why you can use pine sol on vinyl flooring

Although pH-neutral cleaners are suggested for cleaning vinyl floorings, you can use Pine-sol on vinyl flooring to some extent. Using Pine-sol cautiously will save you some fortune. Here are the reasons why you can use Pine-sol on vinyl flooring.

No ammonia:

Pine-sol cleaners do not contain any ammonia. Ammonia-based products are greatly damaging to your vinyl flooring. So, it is safe to use Pine-sol in moderation to clean vinyl flooring.  

Multi-purpose cleaner:

Pine-sol is a multi-purpose cleaner that gives the best value for the buck. Again, you can use it on vinyl flooring but in moderate quantity.

Superior cleaning properties:

It is a registered disinfectant. Pine-sol terminates viruses and bacteria, so it keeps you and your family safe.

Stubborn stain remover:

We often find ourselves staining our lovely vinyl flooring. Pine-sol has excellent stain-removing capacity. So, next time you find yourself in this troubling situation, rest assured cause Pine-sol can rescue you.

How do you clean vinyl floors with Pine-Sol?

Pine-sol is a one-stop solution for cleaning the kitchen, bathroom and can be used all-around your house. To ensure your vinyl flooring’s longevity and beautiful appearance, follow this complete guideline on cleaning vinyl floors with Pine-sol.

Dry clan the area:

First dry clean vinyl floor using a broom or floor duster to remove debris.

And, for a thorough clean, use a vacuum cleaner.

Mix pine-sol with water:

Take a gallon of water and add ¼ cup of Pine-sol. Remember the rule is for every gallon, add ¼ cup of Pine-sol.

You can pour the solution into a spray bottle or keep it in a bucket.

Use mop or rag:

You may use a mop, or a rag, or cloth. You can spray the solution directly onto the floor or the material you are using. Remember to squeeze and twist cleaning material to let excess water out.

Give a good wipe:

Give the vinyl floor a good wipe or mop. Avoid any sort of hard scrubbing.

Dry the area:

Rinse your floor immediately with a dry cloth or mop. Dry vinyl flooring instantly.

Voila! You now have a super neat floor free of any dirt. One thing you must always remember is never let your vinyl floor soak water or pine-sol solution. Excess moisture will damage vinyl flooring.

So, it would be best not to pour the pine-sol solution in excessive amounts on your vinyl floors. Rinse and dry vinyl floors immediately if you see any puddles.

What is the best thing to clean vinyl flooring with?

There is no such thing as the best thing for cleaning vinyl flooring. The materials used to clean completely depend on people’s preferences.

However, here are the most commonly followed practices that can save you some bucks and keep your vinyl flooring as good as new.

The first step to keeping your vinyl flooring clean is dry cleaning regularly. Use dry mop or use a vacuum cleaner, so you get all the debris and dust out of your floor.

Apple cider vinegar and white vinegar are largely used to clean vinyl flooring. Add one cup of apple cider vinegar or white vinegar to a gallon of warm water. Make sure to squeeze out excess water and use a damp mop. Mop in the direction of your floorings.

You can clean vinyl flooring with dish soap if you don’t have apple cider vinegar or white vinegar. Add some dishwashing soap to warm water.

Remember to always rinse your vinyl flooring after moping with a soapy solution. Otherwise, it will leave a soapy film on your floors.

To add extra shine to your flooring, add a few drops of baby oil to the cleaning solution. Be aware not to add more than some drops because it will make your flooring slippery.

How do you remove deep stains from vinyl flooring?

Deep stains could be a headache for a long if not treated properly. You can even damage your flooring if you use materials that are harsh for vinyl floorings. Here are gentle measures you can follow to remove deep stains.

Baking soda and water:

Stains from foods such as juice, ketchup, tomato, and wine could be removed by baking soda paste and water solution.

Materials: baking soda, water, soft cloth, soft nylon brush

  • Add baking soda and water in equal quantity, so it forms a paste.
  • Use microfiber nylon or a soft towel and rub the paste directly on the stain.
  • Clean the baking soda off with water and vinegar solution once the stain is removed.

Rubbing alcohol:

Stains from ink or lipsticks can be easily removed by isopropyl alcohol (rubbing alcohol).

Materials: rubbing alcohol, soft cloth, or towel

  • Spray rubbing over the stain and instantly wipe it off soft towels.

Amazon Brand - Solimo 70% Ethyl Rubbing Alcohol First Aid Antiseptic, 16 Fluid Ounces

Olive oil or WD-40:

For scuff marks, you can use WD-40 or olive oil.

Materials: Olive oil or WD-40, soft nylon brush

  • Add some WD-40 to a soft towel or cloth and directly rub on the scuff mark. It will come off easily if the stain is not that deep.
  • For older or deeper marks, you may have to replace your flooring.
  • Clean with water and vinegar solution to get WD-40 off your vinyl floor.

Remember to use a soft nylon brush or soft towel only. Never use a metal scrubber because it will further damage your floor.

WD-40 Multi-Use Product Handy Can 3 oz (Pack of 2)

How do you clean a really dirty vinyl floor?

Oil and grease build up over time on your vinyl floor. Those really dirty floors will require persistent effort. You need pure white vinegar, a sponge scrubber or soft nylon brush, and a spray bottle.

Add some drops of lemon oil into the vinegar if the smell is too harsh for you.

Spray directly on buildups and scrub, applying moderate pressure. The cleaning process may take some time because buildups take time to get off for a more extended period. Work on small areas to get a better result.

How do you rejuvenate vinyl flooring?

Rejuvenate has a dedicated cleaner for luxury vinyl plank flooring. Rejuvenate Luxury Vinyl Flooring Cleaner is pH neutral, and it works fine on every type of vinyl flooring.

Spray rejuvenate luxury vinyl flooring cleaner on your vinyl flooring and wipe with a damp mop. Your floor will look like just as the day you installed it.

Final Thoughts: 

Pine-sol has been a household’s favorite since the last century, but to clean vinyl flooring, Pine-sol is used as a last resort. Pine-sol has many uses, but it is beneficial for vinyl floorings if you shift to better alternatives. Pine-sol will do the job, but you must be careful while using it.