Can Vinyl Floors Be Steam Cleaned?
Steam mops have become a popular way to eliminate dirt on surfaces throughout the house. But can vinyl floors be steam cleaned? Find out in the sections below.
It’s never a good idea to use steam mops, or steam cleaners on vinyl floors. The amount of heat created can melt glue underneath vinyl, which can cause permanent damage.
The safer way to clean vinyl floors is to use a mop and a dedicated cleaning detergent. We will further explain why you should avoid steam and how to clean instead in this article.
What are Steam Mops?
A steam mop is a household tool used to remove dirt and other contaminants from floor surfaces. Where traditional mops use water and soap to clean, steam mops utilize the power of heat to disinfect.
There are multiple sections of a steam mop that allow it to function properly. Water can be added in a built-in canister, which allows the mop to heat up and create steam.
A microfiber pad is also placed on the bottom, so that your floors do not get scratched during the cleaning process. This pad can be removed and washed, so you can have a fresh one the next time you clean.
Can You Use a Steam Mop on Vinyl Floors?
Although steam mops can be great at cleaning tile floors, you should avoid using them on vinyl at all costs. This practice will cause more harm than good and you will end up needing to replace the vinyl.
Vinyl flooring is a material constructed from plastic, which means it can bend easily. Steam mops are designed for use on tile and other surfaces that are better at withstanding heat.
Too Much Heat
Even though most vinyl flooring is water resistant, a steam mop will create too much heat for cleaning purposes. The main reason is the vinyl planks and sheets get installed with glue.
Problems arise when using a steam mop, as the heat will end up melting this important layer underneath. The glue will melt as a result and you will notice the vinyl start to bend, or warp.
Not as Effective
Some people try decreasing the temperature on the steam mop, because they think it will be safer for the floor. However, this method can still create too much heat for glue underneath the vinyl.
Even if this method can be done safely, there won’t be enough steam to be able to clean efficiently. That’s why it makes more sense to use a traditional mop with soap, so you can agitate the surface and scrub away dirt.
How to Deep Clean Vinyl Floors
Now that you know vinyl floors should not be steam cleaned, let’s discuss the better cleaning method. This process involves using a regular mop, bucket, and detergent.
1. Remove Furniture
Anytime you’re about to clean a floor it helps to move any furniture out of the room. This includes chairs, tables, desks, any other objects that take up a lot of space.
It will not only be difficult to clean around furniture, but the end result won’t look perfect. You can only make a room look so good when you end up cleaning around objects, instead of moving them.
2. Sweep/Vacuum
Once the furniture has been cleaned out from the room, your next step is to sweep, or vacuum. This is an important step, because you want to remove all of the surface dirt before moping.
If not, the mop head will get dirty very quickly and you will end up pushing dirt around the floor. The entire process will also take longer, as you will constantly be needing to clean the mop head.
3. Use Detergent
Not all soaps are the same. That means before you combine your cleaning detergent with water, make sure to check the label. Some brands will require you to dilute the mixture with water before use.
Make sure to use the correct size bucket. Anything too large will be difficult to move around. And a small bucket creates more of a challenge, as water can spill out from the sides each time you dip the mop in.
4. Agitate
One of the most efficient ways to deep clean your vinyl floors is to apply some pressure when cleaning. This will agitate the surface of the vinyl and remove stubborn dirt that is caked on.
Try scrubbing with back and forth motions over the problem areas. Once an area of dirt has been removed you can dunk the mop back in the bucket and make a clean pass over the surface one more time.
5. Keep up with Cleaning
Even though deep cleaning vinyl floors can make them look new again, the best thing you can do as a homeowner is to keep up with regular cleaning. It’s much easier to get on a routine cleaning schedule.
This includes cleaning up spills when they happen and sweeping (or vacuuming) once a week. This will not only keep your floors clean, but the surface won’t be as dirty for the next time you need to mop.
Keep Your Vinyl Floors New
Buy floor mats – One of the quickest ways to keep any floors looking new is to invest in some floor mats. Put these by the entryways, so you can stop dirt, mud, water, and anything else from damaging the surface.
Install felt – Placing felt feet on the bottom of chairs and other pieces of furniture will also keep the vinyl looking new. This will protect the surface from getting scratched when any furniture is moved around.
Stay on top of spills – It’s critical to clean up spills as soon as they happen. This will prevent any liquid from seeping into the floor and causing future damage. When ignored, spills can create vinyl to warp over time.
Things to Remember
By now we hope you understand that steam cleaning vinyl floors is never a good idea. This can cause problems for your floor, as heat created from the steamer will melt glue underneath vinyl.
The safer way to deep clean vinyl floors in to use soap and a mop. All you need is a quality cleaning detergent and a little bit of agitation. This will remove even the most stubborn areas of dirt on your floor.
And don’t forget to keep up with routine maintenance. Cleaning once a year will always take longer and require more effort. It makes more sense to sweep and vacuum your floors once a week.
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