It won’t matter how much you have spent on the décor and floors of your house if you can’t maintain the look for at least a few years. The thought of dull looking floors only months after installation sounds like blasphemy to me.
Small habits can make the biggest difference when it comes to keeping those vinyl floors shining bright like a diamond! Let us talk about the tricks that will help your floors from going dull.
How can I make my vinyl floor shine?
Vinyl floors are usually lustrous and shiny. However, dust and grim can easily settle on top. Mainly, if the house is close to busy streets. Easiest way to keep it shiny is by regularly sweeping or vacuuming. If that doesn’t work, there are also floor cleansers available to keep the floors gleaming.
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Can you make vinyl plank floors shine?
If your vinyl floors have lost their shine, you can revive them using some simple tricks. First, start by sweeping the floors. Because often a layer of dust that has stuck to the top may be the reason why the floors are looking so lack-luster.
But if they still look dull, you can try to mop the floor with mild vinyl-safe floor cleansing solutions. These usually do the trick. But be sure to give it another thorough rinse with clean water to avoid build-up over time.
How do I make my vinyl floor shine again?
Vinyl floors can lose their shine or get stained due to various reasons. Below I’ve tried to list possible techniques to help keep your floors looking pristine.
Use plain water and sponge mop:
The easiest way to keep your floors shiny is by regularly sweeping them with plain water and a mop right after dusting away the dust particles, hair and any sort of dirt sitting on top. And also wipe away any spills.
Using vinegar to clean and disinfect:
Sometimes just plain water isn’t enough to clean the floors if the dirt has been accumulating for a while. To thoroughly clean the floors, you can try a homemade concoction consisting of one cup of apple cider vinegar and a gallon of hot water.
You can even add a few drops of baby oil to the mixture for shine. This solution will clean and also make your floors shine without leaving a buildup of soap or wax behind.
Lubricants for stubborn scuffs:
When you try to drag furniture or heavy objects on a vinyl floor with no padding on the bottom, it tends to leave scuff marks which can be difficult to get rid of.
In this case, you can try saturating a towel with WD-40 lubricant or jojoba oil and rub the marks until it disappears. But thoroughly clean that area afterwards to remove traces of lubrication.
These are some easy and cost-efficient ways you can incorporate in your cleaning routine to make your vinyl floors shiny again.
Does vinyl need wax?
Vinyl when first installed comes with a waxed top, which over time can lose its shine. So, in order to keep it looking fresh and clean, it is very important to strip off the top layer. And then apply a layer of fresh wax on top periodically to maintain the shiny look.
Should I wax my vinyl floor?
Traditionally acrylic coating commonly known as wax was used on vinyl floors to help make it shine. But the maintenance can be highly time-consuming and also the cost of constantly buffering, re-coating can add up. Therefore, it is not recommended to use wax on vinyl floors.
How can I shine my vinyl floor without waxing?
Urethane coatings are one of the greatest alternatives to wax for vinyl floors. They last ten times longer and also need minimal maintenance.
I have complied a list of steps you can follow to apply urethane to your floors.
- Step 1: You need to start by buffing the top layer of the vinyl floor to remove any remaining wax and help the urethane adhere better.
- Step 2: Now you should use a masking tape on edges of the floor to protect the walls.
- Step 3: Start mixing the WD urethane A and B with the recommended amount of water. Stir to ensure they are thoroughly incorporated.
- Step 4: You can use a paint roller to evenly coat the floor with the urethane.
- Step 5: If you are satisfied with the coating, you may now leave it for 24-hours to dry and set.
Why do my vinyl floors look dull?
If you are noticing your vinyl flooring looking dull recently these may be some of the reasons why.
Food stain:
Stains from spilled food or drink need to be cleaned as soon as possible. If they are left to sit on the vinyl floor. The floor soaks it up and this can cause permanent discoloration.
Sunlight:
Direct sunlight may also cause discoloration. It can change the color and shine of the floor and turn it into an unpleasant shade.
Dirt mark:
Dirt that gets dragged in from outdoors with shoes can cause scratches, making the floor look dull. Shoes with pointy heels can also damage the floors.
Dragging mark:
When heavy objects or furniture are dragged or slid on vinyl floor, it can cause them to scratch and make the floors look dull.
As surprising as it may seem, the smallest and inconspicuous things may be causing the most damage to your floors and making them lose their luster.
How to keep the vinyl floor shiny?
There are many factors that can cause your vinyl floors to lose their shine. However, there are just as many ways to keep them in pristine condition. All you need to do is put a little extra effort to keep them shiny.
Above we have listed ways that can cause the floors to become dull over time. But here is how you can prevent this.
Wipe:
In order to protect your vinyl floors from getting stained which refuse to come off, try to wipe or mop away spills or splatters as quickly as possible. The key here is to not let it sit for long.
Shade:
Even though it may not always be possible, try to keep the rooms with vinyl flooring in shade with the help of curtains or blinds whenever possible.
Avoid shoes in the room:
Try to avoid bringing shoes from outside. If the floors get cold, velvet or faux-fur slippers will be a great way to protect the floors from scratches.
Use padding while furniture moving:
When moving heavy objects, try to use some sort of padding to avoid the floors from getting scuffed.
These instructions may sound time-consuming or even annoying but they will protect your floor’s shine.
What to use to make a vinyl floor shine?
These products will help to keep your vinyl floors shining. A few of the items can even be found right at home.
- WD-40 lubricant
- Pine-sol multi-surface cleaner
- Baby oil
- Jojoba oil
- Pledge multi-surface floor cleaner
- Armstrong’s once ‘n done resilient and ceramic no-rinse floor cleaner
Their products can help keep your floors shiny but you should choose one that will work best for your vinyl floors according to strength, smell and functionality.
Can you polish vinyl floors?
You can surely use polish on a vinyl floor. When your vinyl floor starts to lose its shine, one of the best ways to restore it is by using a polish. You can apply one or two coats after cleaning your floor thoroughly. It will restore the shine for at least a year.
Is white vinegar safe for vinyl floors?
White vinegar is safe to use on vinyl floors. White vinegar mixed with water not only cleans but also disinfectants vinyl floors. As long as the vinegar is cleaned properly afterwards, it won’t cause any damage and is harmless on vinyl floors.
Is Murphy Oil Soap good for vinyl floors?
Murphy oil is good for vinyl floors. Murphy Oil Soap is made from 98% natural plant-based ingredients and is also clear When vinyl floors are cleaned with Murphy Oil Soap, it can clean and moisturize the floor without leaving an oily film behind.
Can I use Swiffer Wetjet on vinyl plank flooring?
You can use Swiffer wetjet on vinyl planks. Swiffer wetjet is non-abrasive and doesn’t cause damage to the surface of vinyl floors. It also doesn’t have any abrasive effects on vinyl planks. And it is known to be quite effective in eliminating old stains.
Can you use Pine Sol on vinyl floors?
Pine sol is known to be a gentle cleanser for vinyl floors but only if they are sealed with a protective top coat. It helps to remove tough dirt, grime and stains from hardwood floors and make it shiny. It also helps to sanitize floors.
Can you use Mr Clean on vinyl floors?
Mr Clean is safe for sealed hardwood floors. And it can clean almost everything from vinyl floors including footprints and pawprints which makes it one of the best cleaners for laminate floors.
Is Mop and Glo good for vinyl floors?
Mop and Glo can be used on laminate floors, vinyl floors and also on ceramics. After a quick sweep, you can use Mop and Glo on vinyl floors. It not only cleans but also leaves a noticeable long-lasting shine as it dries on the floor.
Vinyl floors are a great way to give your house a modern yet rustic look. And regular care can help keep its glossy finish for a long time or at least before it’s time for a change.
So, don’t be afraid and choose a vinyl floor of your choosing for your new house!