Cleaning and Maintenance
Maintaining your vinyl flooring, while seems easy, but can be esasliy dented/torn. Just remember to take your time.
Sweep frequently
The key to keeping any floor in good shape is to keep it clean, and sheet vinyl is no exception. Get the dirt off before it gets ground in, and your vinyl will last longer. It’s a good idea to get in the habit of quickly running a soft broom across the kitchen floor every evening after you put the dishes in the dishwasher.
Learn low-impact cleaning techniques
Resist the temptation to blast away dirt with heavy-duty cleaners. Instead, learn how to clean vinyl floors using the mildest possible method. Sweep or vacuum it every evening, and wipe up spills right away. To clean dirt that the broom or vacuum can’t get, use a mop dampened with warm, not hot, water. If all else fails, use soap, but make sure the soap is designed for your flooring.
Use the right cleanser
Here’s how to clean vinyl floors made with no-wax vinyl: Wash them with a cleaner made specifically for no-wax floors, following the directions on the container. If you have older vinyl that requires waxing, clean it with warm water and detergent. Dampen a mop or sponge with the mixture, and rub the floor just enough to loosen the dirt. Try not to rub off the wax because you’ll just have to reapply it. Rinse with clean, cool water, no matter what the soap label says about not needing rinsing, otherwise you’ll leave a residue on the floor
Don’t drench your vinyl
It’s important to remember that water isn’t always the best vinyl floor cleaner. Water from an overly wet mop will work its way into the cracks, seams, and edges. Once there, it can destroy the glue bond that holds down the vinyl, causing it to come loose or corners to curl.
Outfit your furniture and large appliances with protective “feet”
The weight of heavy items (such as tables and refrigerators) that occupy permanent places in your kitchen can dent vinyl flooring. Prevent these dents by fitting your furniture with floor protectors, which you can find at hardware stores and home improvement centers.
Note.. while castors are nice, they can also damage your vinyl flooring! consider changing them for something more protective