Can You Vacuum Vinyl Plank Flooring: All You Need to Know 

Vinyl plank flooring is an affordable alternative to stone or hardwood flooring that offers attractive customized designs, is resilient to water, and at the same time has long-lasting durability. This multi-layered synthetic flooring is easy to maintain, and you can quickly remove stains without much struggle. However, when it comes to vinyl plank floor cleaning, people often ask if it’s possible to vacuum vinyl plank flooring. In this post, we’ll cover how to vacuum vinyl flooring and include some other effective ways to clean vinyl flooring so that you can complete your cleaning sessions conveniently. Let’s start!  

Can You Vacuum Vinyl Plank Flooring? 

Yes, you can vacuum vinyl plank flooring to remove dirt, dust, and debris. Use a vacuum cleaner with a soft brush attachment or a customizable hardwood floor setting so the floor surface doesn’t get scratched or damaged. Caution: it’s recommended not to use a beater bar or a powerful motorized brush attachment since these can damage the vinyl plank flooring.  

Note: If the vinyl plank flooring is newly installed, wait 48 hours to vacuum the floor. Vacuuming the vinyl floor immediately after installation might lead to floor damage.  

How To Clean Your Vinyl Plank Flooring With A Vacuum?  

Here are easy-to-follow steps for cleaning your vinyl plank flooring with a vacuum:  

Step 1: Remove loose debris or dirt from the floor surface. Using a broom or a dustpan is handy for sweeping the floor.  

Step 2: Pre-set a soft brush attachment to the vacuum cleaner; you can also use a vacuum cleaner with a hardwood floor setting.  

Step 3: Turn on the vacuum cleaner and move it back and forth across the floor. Try to clean hard-to-reach areas, like edges, space under bed or furniture, where dirt and debris tend to accumulate.  

Step 4: Use a damp mop or a cleaning solution specifically designed for vinyl plank flooring to remove stubborn dirt from the floor. You can try wet and dry vacuums like the EUREKA All-in-One Wet and Dry vacuum cleaner for added convenience.  

Step 5: After finishing, turn off the vacuum cleaner and remove any attachments. Dispose of the dust cup and leave it clean.  

What Kinds of Vacuum Should You Use Cleaning Vinyl Plank Flooring With A Vacuum? 

Vacuuming vinyl flooring requires mid-range suction capacity with a soft bristle attachment and hard floor settings to ensure effective cleaning sessions. Stick vacuums are mostly recommended for cleaning vinyl plank floors safely. These vacs are convertible, lightweight and convenient, and most of these vacs are designed for hard floor surfaces with a soft bristle brush. Apart from that, you can also use a canister or upright model if they are compatible with a soft brush or feature hard floor settings.  

Besides, robot vacuums are also compatible with vinyl plank floor vacuuming; some quality models have sensors to adjust the suction capacity while moving from one surface to another, and they can be programmed to clean the floor automatically.  

Other Ways To Clean Vinyl Plank Flooring  

If you don’t want to use a vacuum cleaner for a vinyl plank floor, there are some other ways to keep your flooring neat and clean. Let’s go through them:  

Sweep and Mop  

Use a soft-bristled broom and damp mop to clean up your vinyl floor on a regular basis.   

Use A Mild Cleaning Solution   

Besides, you can use a mild cleaning solution, like a mixture of baking soda and water or vinegar and water; these ingredients are capable of cleaning your vinyl floor surface effectively.   

• Mix one-part white vinegar with three parts water and use a damp mop while applying the cleaning solution. Rinse the floor with clean water and soak up the remaining water from the floor and let it dry.  
• Make a paste-like formation with baking soda and water, apply the ingredients to the floor surface, wait for a few minutes, and then rinse it off with clean water.  

Do’s And Don’ts Of Caring For Vinyl Plank Flooring  

At this point, we have mentioned some do’s and don’ts. There are some care instructions you must follow while cleaning vinyl plank flooring:  

Do’s  

• Try to remove the dirt or spills immediately.  
• Dust mop the floor surface before applying any cleaning solution.  
• Use a soft bristle brush and dish soap to remove stains from vinyl plank flooring.  
• If you need to use scrubbers, use them gently.  

Don’ts  

• Using harsh chemicals, abrasive scrubbers, or steel wool pads can damage your vinyl floors. That is why we recommend not using any harsh cleaners for vinyl plank flooring.  
• Detergents and shine products are not recommended, as they can leave a dull film on your vinyl flooring.   
• Avoid using ammonia-based cleaners since such ingredients can cause cracks in the vinyl.  
• Steam produces intense heat while cleaning and can damage the vinyl floor.  

Does Vinyl Need Wax? 

No, vinyl flooring doesn’t need wax since the flooring already has a coating covering each plank. As a result, it looks glossy, and at the same time, it’s sealed and protected against moisture and damage. If you wax vinyl flooring, the surface may get significantly damaged.  

Final Words  

Vinyl flooring lasts for a long time- from 5 to 25 years, and it’s cost-effective too. Vinyl flooring is preferred due to its water-resistant capacity, durability, and ease of use. When it comes to cleaning vinyl floors, it’s very easy to clean and maintain with a vacuum. For collecting fine dirt and removing spills, stains, or wet mess, vacuuming is recommended for cleaning vinyl floors.

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