In today’s bustling world and busy working environment, home is the place of comfort we need. People love to decorate their homes by matching their taste with the earning. Home decoration is an art, and the artists here are the residents.
When it comes down to flooring, vinyl flooring is getting trendy as it is attractive, safe, durable, and affordable. Besides, it is a good alternative for tiles and requires low maintenance. In this piece, I am going to describe how to use a steam mop on vinyl flooring in detail.
Brief introduction of vinyl flooring
Vinyl flooring usually comes as vinyl planks that are made of PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride). High heat and pressure is used to mold the PVC. The finished form looks like gorgeous wooden floors. Vinyl flooring is not just an option for bedroom or living room, and you can use it for kitchen and bathroom floors as well. That’s really great as you can’t use wooden floors in places like the kitchen or bathroom without facing warping.
Also, if you have children or pets making messes on the floors now and then, vinyl flooring is a good option for you as it is effortless to maintain. When it comes to cleaning, breaking out the old-style mop and using a steam mop for vinyl floors is considered a good idea to many homeowners.
Steam mop for vinyl flooring
Although vinyl flooring comes through the peel-and-stick method, they are still at risk from acute heat and moisture. Usually, they come as planks that stick together by glue. As a result, the installation looks like a breeze. It is an excellent solution to sanitize your vinyl flooring without using any harsh chemicals. The steam from the mops has the capability to get rid of nearly 100% of bacteria and viruses.
However, you must know that regular standard steam mops can warp and bend the vinyl planks as vinyl is vulnerable to extreme heat and moisture. The moisture can get into the middle of the planks; thus, the adhesive that holds the planks together can become weaker.
In addition to that, steam can also damage the glossy effect of the floor and makes it dull and discolored. Even the manufacturer’s warranty may be at risk due to steam mopping in a lousy manner.
So, the big question here is – how to use a steam mop for vinyl flooring? Using a standard steam cleaner for this purpose is not a good option because it utilizes a steam jet at high pressure. Besides, moisture is forced down between the planks and also between the floor layers.
Steam mops are the best tool you need for cleaning stains, dirt or germs on the floor and other surfaces. You need to ensure that you cannot use a standard steam cleaner for your vinyl flooring, as we explained above. However, certain brands and models available in the market can be used on your vinyl flooring without any issue, if used in the proper manner.
How to use a steam mop correctly on vinyl flooring
Step 01: Vacuuming the floor
Before starting the steam cleaning, use a vacuum cleaner or a broom to sweep the floor. If you do steam cleaning on a dusty surface, it will generate a mess, and you may end up with a half-cleaned base.
Step 02: Secure the hard floor
Seal the hard floor before starting the mopping process. Acute heat and moisture that will produce during the cleaning could destroy the hard floor if it remains unsealed.
Step 03: Set the Steam temperature
Keep an eye on the steam temperature. It must be hot enough to get rid of the germs and challenging stains. Good cleaners can reach up to 250 degrees Fahrenheit. However, as you are dealing with vinyl flooring, maintain the lowest heat level.
Step 04: Do rapid strokes
Make straight and quick strokes continuously while cleaning. Avoid holding the mop in the same place for too long. Turn off the mop if you need a rest or require a pause. Keep in mind not to overeat the glue; otherwise, you may end up with bends or warps in your flooring.
Step 05: Add cleaning solutions
Only water is sufficient for a steam mop to get rid of the stains and germs. You can utilize some usual homemade cleaning solutions like liquid soap or shampoo with warm water if the area is super dirty. Although adding a mild soapy solution is great, cleaning the soap residue can again attract dirt and germs. So, be careful with that!
Before putting any cleaning solution into the tank, remember to check the product specifications and confirm that a solution can be used with that model.
Step 06: Use wax
The vinyl floor can get old and lose the glossy effect. If that is the case, it needs wax to recover its shine. After applying wax, avoid sharp scrubbing during cleaning as it can withdraw the wax along with the dust and stains.
However, if your flooring is no-wax type, never apply wax because this can destroy the flooring. To regain the shine of a no-wax vinyl floor, try a sealant or polish found especially for those types of flooring.
If your vinyl flooring has a wood-like shine, mopping with the grain is a must. It will be beneficial to block small particles of dirt sticking into the grooves.
Step 07: Last step
Finally, though it is a no-brainer, I would like to warn you again - never allow the moisture to sit on the vinyl flooring. Avoid using an extremely wet mop as the moisture can enter through seams, cracks, or edges. This may weaken the glue and result in warp or bend.
Conclusion
Sweep regularly and try to do a good cleaning with a steam mop weekly – this is the key to maintain your vinyl floor in the best form. I hope this piece has given you a clear picture of how to use a steam mop on vinyl flooring.
Are you ready for the ‘steam mopping challenge now? Let’s get started!
