How to Clean Vinyl Plank Flooring

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Get that new-floor shine back with this guide's help — plus, what you should not clean your floors with.

Today's vinyl floors are a far cry from the shiny, plastic-looking sheet or tile floors your grandmother might have installed in her home. Although yesterday's were prone to tears, scratching and scuffing and looked so artificial, today's feature more durable matte finishes and more realistic, natural designs that get installed as click-together planks. They're the newest members of a category called "resilient flooring," and because they come as individual planks, replacing damaged sections is easier too.

For these reasons, modern vinyl plank flooring has become a popular alternative to wood floors in homes across the globe, especially in areas like kitchens, bathrooms and laundry rooms. These floors are not only easier to maintain than traditional hardwood floors, but they're more moisture-resistant too, so they're better equipped to withstand heavy traffic — ideal for families with kids and pets.

But that doesn't mean vinyl floors don't need routine TLC. Even these fuss-free, wear-resistant floors need a proper cleaning once in a while, so it's a good idea to incorporate the task into your regular cleaning schedule. We checked in with Carolyn Forté, executive director of the Good Housekeeping Institute Home Care & Cleaning Lab, for the best cleaning tips and advice.

First things first: If your vinyl flooring product was installed with glue, you may notice excess glue seeping to the surface. Avoid cleaning this mess or walking on the flooring for at least 24 hours to give the adhesive time to set properly. Once set, you can safely remove the excess product without damaging your brand-new floors by following these steps:

Vinyl plank flooring may be low maintenance, but there are a few things you should know to help extend the life of this surface. Namely, dust, sand and other gritty particles are "the enemy," according to the World Floor Covering Association. As such, it's important to sweep or vacuum frequently — and especially if there's visible debris on the floor.

Though vinyl floors are moisture-resistant, it's not a good idea to let spills set. And you should never use a steam mop on these surfaces. The high temperature combined with excess moisture and pressure can seep into the cracks, loosen adhesive and cause the floor to swell. Here's what to do instead:

Expert tip: No matter what you use, it's good practice to test your cleaning solution in an inconspicuous area first to make sure it doesn't damage the flooring.

Occasional scuff marks from shoes or furniture are unavoidable, but thankfully there's an easy way to get rid of these unsightly spots:

While regular maintenance is vital, there are a few steps you can take on a daily basis to keep your vinyl plank floors cleaner and in better condition, reducing the frequency of deep cleans and repairs.

Brigitt is a writer, editor and craft stylist with nearly 15 years of experience. She specializes in lifestyle topics, including home, health, parenting, beauty, style, food, entertaining, travel and weddings. She has written for Glamour, People, Good Housekeeping, Women's Health, Real Simple, Martha Stewart, Apartment Therapy, The Spruce, and more.

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