Sheet vinyl flooring is a popular, cost-effective and stylish flooring option for homes in Whangarei and throughout New Zealand. These floors are highly resistant to damage and come in a variety of attractive looks. But to keep your vinyl floors looking brand-new for years, you need to maintain them well.
Improper maintenance can lead to stains, scratches, damage and other unpleasant issues. What should you know about these vinyl floors and their maintenance?
What Are Sheet Vinyl Floors?
First, it is essential to understand what makes these floors unique. Vinyl flooring is popular due to its versatile appearance, durable nature and cost-effective prices. These floors can be printed with patterns that mimic natural materials, such as wood, and come in a variety of lovely colours.
Aside from its appearance, vinyl flooring is also practical. Vinyl is highly resistant to damage from scratches and wear, making it ideal for both busy environments and low-traffic areas. Well-maintained and professionally installed vinyl floors can last for a very long time.
There are two primary kinds of vinyl flooring: sheet vinyl flooring and vinyl plank flooring. While both are made of the same material and have very similar looks and benefits, the key difference between the two is their format. Vinyl planks come in the form of planks and are glued down to cover the floor.
Sheet vinyl flooring, on the other hand, comes in the form of a large sheet of vinyl. The sheet is cut to perfectly match the shape of your floor and then installed. This means that your floors will be completely seamless, with no gaps or cracks for moisture to seep into.
How To Care For Your Sheet Vinyl Flooring
What should you know about vinyl flooring maintenance before installing your new floors?
First, it’s essential to understand how often you should clean your floors. Weekly cleanings are generally recommended to prevent dirt buildup. However, this frequency may change depending on the nature of your space. Calm, low-traffic homes may require less frequent cleaning, but busy commercial spaces often necessitate more frequent cleaning.
Consider reviewing your cleaning schedule after a month or so. Do your floors feel fine? Do you think that you’re cleaning them too often, or not enough? Continue to revise your cleaning schedule and methods if needed.
Where do you start?
Gather Your Cleaning Tools. You need to choose the proper tools for your floors. Remember that you shouldn’t just pick any cleaning tools or chemicals, as the wrong ones could harm your floors and cause irreparable damage.
For instance, avoid using overly abrasive or harsh tools or cleaners, like steel wool or very strong products. These can damage the vinyl’s surface. You should also know that most sheet vinyl flooring doesn’t need to be waxed. Additionally, avoid steam mops or other methods that use heat, as the heat can damage both the flooring and its adhesive.
Some tools you could use are:
- A broom or a vacuum to clean dust and particles.
- Microfibre cloths or soft brushes to gently clean floors.
- Vinyl floor cleaner. Or a homemade cleaning mix of mild dish soap or vinegar.
- A microfibre mop.
Refer to the manufacturer’s guide for recommendations on cleaning tools or methods.
Use Your Broom Or Vacuum To Clean Up Dust And Debris. Clean up dust and larger particles with your broom or vacuum. If you use a vacuum, make sure it’s suitable for hard surfaces and won’t leave marks on your floors.
Pick up rubbish or dropped possessions and move furniture if needed.
Clean Away Scuff Marks Or Stubborn Stains. If you find scuff marks, gently clean them with a damp microfibre cloth or scrub brush. Avoid rubbing items that contain rubber or latex on the floor, as they may leave dark marks. Consider protecting the feet of your furniture with felt pads to prevent scratches from occurring.
Dirt buildup can also be challenging to remove with a broom or vacuum. Use your scrub brush, cloths or rags to remove these.
Mop Your Floors. After dry particles are wiped away and scuff marks are taken care of, you can mop your sheet vinyl floors with a mild soap solution, specialised vinyl floor cleaner or a vinegar and water mix. Rinse the mop often to wring out dirt. Ensure your mop is damp, not soaked, as excessive liquid can leave streaks.
Once you’re done, dump the water and clean your mop. Then, go over the floor again with your clean mop. After this, dry your floors with clean, dry microfibre cloths.
Investing In Beautiful, Long-Lasting Sheet Vinyl Flooring In Whangarei
Now that you know more about vinyl flooring maintenance, you’re all set to invest in gorgeous new flooring. Check out our selection at Colthurst Flooring to view our vinyl flooring, timber flooring, carpet options and more.
You can also view our sheet vinyl flooring care guide for more information.
Reach out on 09 988 9630 or message us online to get in touch.
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