We don't suggest using steam mops because sometimes they may damage your flooring surfaces due to excessive moisture introduced into these surfaces during moping.

If you have a vinyl plank floor, you should be able to know how to clean this floor. It should be a matter of routine cleaning. The easiest way to clean this floor is to use a mop. However, if you have a steam mop, you should avoid using it. Because it may damage the floor.

Mopping gives you a convenient and easy way to clean your floor. It is able to clean and sanitize your floor and works well on both vinyl and area rugs. This is a quick and easy way to clean your floors and while it doesn't do the job of a full-on cleaning, you can use it to do a quick and easy clean before you vacuum.

This blog will discuss how to steam clean a vinyl plank floor with the steam mop.

Is steam mop best for vinyl plank floor?

Yes, this is entirely possible. Steam mops are said to make concrete look like wood. Many people use them on the floors in their homes and offices for maintenance purposes. Just ensure you keep several precautions in mind when cleaning vinyl plank floors with a steam mop. For example, if you notice that the floor gets oily, it is best to avoid using steam until you've had time to vacuum or sweep the surface again before continuing (light oil on the floor can often be removed with water or any other similar cleaning agent). 

It is also imperative that you do not clean a wet surface following a previous dry clean as this may cause damage to your property or to yourself. People are always looking for affordable options when it comes to flooring. Hiring an installer for your laminate or solid wood floors can cost considerably more than selecting a vinyl plank option. Vinyl is considered to be a better alternative because it’s designed to generally last up to three times longer than other flooring types. The style of the vinyl also closely resembles that of hardwood planks, meaning you can have the rich appeal of hardwood without any of the maintenance costs.

Using Mop on Vinyl Floor

Before mopping your vinyl floor, be sure that you've swept or vacuumed the floor to remove any surface dirt, dust, hairs, and other debris. You can use a vacuum cleaner that combines two types of dustpan and broom to clean when mopping vinyl plank floors but it's important to use a vacuum switchs to the "bare floor" mode so as not to scratch the surface.

Also, try using only soft brushes when it comes time to sweep up water spots. When you're done picking up any loose debris, check your floor for funky or sticky stains. A pre-treatment vacuum cleaner should be used to have them removed. After that, you finally mop the floor. Try to start cleaning on a wall that is opposite the door. If you're using a mop and bucket, keep the mop behind you and rinse it into the bucket every few swipes.

Check to see if the microfiber cloth is dirty enough to need changing as well as if your mopping pad needs replacing. Once everything looks clean again, buff away any excess water with a fresh microfiber cloth so as not to leave behind any drips or wet floors. First, you need to clean the surface using a mop with hot water. You can use vinegar in order to remove grime and oils.

Never use too much pressure because this may cause damage to the vinyl floor.  Solid stone, ceramic tiles, for example, are easy to clean. You just steam your floor once or twice a week. However, laminate wood or stone floors that have PVC don't retain well when an alkaline cleaner is used. Therefore, it is necessary to scrub the dirt away with the right cleaner to prevent discoloration of these types of floors.

Maintaining Vinyl Plank Floor

If you regularly sweep, spot-clean, and mop the floor, they will help preserve your floor over the long run. In addition, you can do more tips to promote longer-lasting results as follows.

Lay rugs in high-traffic areas in the house to protect them from heavy traffic that occurs frequently. This way you’ll be able to preserve a quality appearance that will show off the shine from its glossy finish during parties or social gatherings. A crucial part of protecting your flooring investment is by instituting house rules to help keep it clean. For example, telling everyone in the household not to leave their shoes on the carpeted floor will help reduce all of that dirt and dust cling to the vinyl surface.

While no amount of sweeping or mopping will get rid of this, setting tough rules may help with tracking. Since you can't renew your degraded vinyl surface when a wear layer has been worn down, consider choosing a thicker vinyl plank installation so you can rest easy knowing there's more padding between foot falls at high risk for damage versus less protection if you went with something thinner.

FAQs Related to the Topic

1) Can I use a steam mop on a vinyl plank?

Steam mops work by utilizing steam from a heated tank to clean tough, dirty areas on hard floors. Steam-powered cleaners are not good for cleaning vinyl floors since the steam can soak into the adhesive underneath and cause it to become less sticky or allow moisture underneath seams if they were not properly installed.

2) What is the best way to clean vinyl plank flooring?

One of the best ways to clean vinyl plank flooring is with a mop and vinegar (mixed in hot water). You can use this mixture to clean your floor the same way you use any kind of cleaning solution. Using white vinegar rather than any other kind of concentrate will not leave behind streaks or cloudiness. This method also works well for cleaning tile, linoleum, concrete, and many other surfaces that require cleaning regularly.

3) Can ammonia be used on vinyl plank floor?

To ensure that your flooring products and overall floor remain in good condition, you should start by taking some time to learn about what not to use on them. For instance, you may be tempted to reach for the mop and bucket every time something happens such as a spill on the ground or on your carpeted stair treads for example, but this is absolutely the worst thing you can do.

Never swab up spills with anything abrasive like an ammonia-based cleaning product. This could end up damaging your flooring beyond repair and result in extensive renovation costs. Clean-up of another type may cost you money if or when using certain cleaning products end up damaging another part of your home.

Conclusion

 Vinyl plank flooring has become increasingly popular, because it's durable and aesthetically pleasing to the eye. However, in order to keep its good looks, one needs to keep it clean every once in a while.

Vinyl plank flooring is made from one sheet of thick vinyl, backed with a layer of thick paperboard, and sometimes even covered with a coat of thick glue or adhesive. The best way to clean vinyl flooring is to take the two-step approach: 

First you should apply cleaners specifically for removing dirt, dust, and stains from vinyl floors while avoiding harsh chemicals such as bleach.

Second, you should use a dry mop on your floor to gather up any remaining dirt or dust on the surface of your vinyl flooring material. We don't suggest using steam mops because sometimes they may damage your flooring surfaces due to excessive moisture introduced into these surfaces during moping.

I hope that you will understand about How to steam clean your vinyl plank floor with the steam mop.