How to Maintain LVT Flooring

LVT (Luxury Vinyl Tile) is a type of flooring with a higher percentage of vinyl resin than found in standard VCT (Vinyl Composite Tile). As a result, the higher percentage of vinyl allows manufacturers to add higher-quality prints onto the tile.

Embossing is also an option, which enables them to give it texture. This is how LVT ends up with natural stone, hardwood, or other realistic designs. LVT tends to be thicker than VCT, adding a more luxurious feeling underfoot. It also provides added protection against scratches and makes LVT flooring care easier.

What To Know About LVT Maintenance

LVT is a great, more cost-effective alternative flooring option to standard VCT. It comes with a protective urethane layer (the wear layer), making LVT flooring care much more manageable. However, that doesn't mean it's indestructible.

Your LVT will need additional protection if you hope to keep it around for a long time. Though, we wouldn't recommend wax or acrylic finishes that require stripping. These chemicals are more likely to damage the topmost layers, including the texture and print of your LVT flooring. The print layer is the design layer. Once that is damaged, it's impossible to correct, and will need to be replaced.

We recommend taking the appropriate preventive measures for surface scratches. It's best to use mats made of jute, cotton, or woven backings to help trap dirt and prevent stains from seeping into your flooring. It can also help to minimize the impact of exterior debris commonly found on wheels and the soles of shoes. Using floor mats with latex or rubber bottoms can also work, though they can cause discoloration. Use them at your own discretion.

If dirt or liquids get onto the flooring, you should remove them as soon as possible. Never use high-concentration solvents, strong alkali solutions, or strong acids in your LVT flooring care. Likewise, avoid using hard and rough cleaning tools, especially sharp ones like steel balls and scouring pads.

You want to avoid pushing, pulling, or dragging furniture across the floor. It's always best to lift and carry the items to their destination. However, this may only sometimes be possible. For these situations, you can reduce scratches to the top layer by using chair glides when moving or sliding furniture around. It's a relatively wise practice that can help preserve the integrity of your LVT flooring.

LVT Flooring Cleaning Methods

The LVT flooring wear layer can only protect the tile from so much. Its level of protection is entirely dependent on the thickness of the coating. However, it will still take some effort on your part to ensure the design layer remains intact if you plan to keep it around for a while.

You'll need to be careful about what kind of chemicals you expose your LVT to during maintenance. Both alkaline and acidic solutions would no doubt damage the protective wear layer and possibly the design layer underneath.

If you must use a solution of any sort, we recommend a pH-neutral cleaner. These types of cleaners are perfect for removing food or grease stains from vinyl tile. However, for daily use, most maintenance will require little more than a broom, vacuum, and mop.

Cleaning Your LVT Flooring

Daily LVT flooring care is a simple process.

• Sweep or vacuum daily to remove excess dirt, sand, and debris
• Use non-abrasive floor cleaners and avoid acidic and alkaline cleaning solutions
• Use warm water when mopping and avoid "flooding"; a wet-vac works great for this

What about stains and spills? How can you minimize damage from certain chemicals?

Spills

For spills involving paints and solvents, first attempt to peel away the dry substance. Paint thinner and nail polish remover can also work when rubbed lightly onto the surface. If you need an alternative option, look to manufacturer-approved strippers and cleaners.

You can remove gum, grease, wax, and other adhesives similarly. However, it is first best to attempt removal using a dull kitchen knife. The removal of scuffs and smudges should first be attempted using your finger. Rub vigorously into the smudge to see if the friction causes it to loosen. If this fails, you can utilize the same strategies for removing paints and solvents.

Finally, other chemicals, which include acids, alkalis, urine, soaps, dyes, and most household spills, can be removed with vinyl cleaner or 10-to-1 water to bleach dilution. You may also use isopropyl alcohol. Remember that it is a flammable liquid and should be rinsed away with clean water after use.

Stains

To remove basic household stains, such as juice, condiments, blood, or pet urine, saturate a cloth for an hour with a 1-to-1 water-to-liquid bleach solution. Proceed to scrub away the stains, but remember to rinse with clean water afterward.

Paints or solvents which manage to stain your LVT can be rubbed away using a cloth soaked in mineral spirits, also known as a turpentine substitute. Rust and grass can be reduced using a $10 oxalic acid, which can be found in most drug stores. However, since it is an acid, you will want to use it sparingly and remember to rinse thoroughly afterward.

Rubber heel marks you could not remove with friction will require a different approach. Rub an adhesive glue stick across the area and wipe it with a clean, damp washcloth. The removal is more manageable by adding a touch of turpentine substitute to the cloth.

Making Your LVT Last

So long as your Luxury Vinyl Tile is appropriately maintained, it can last ten to twenty years before a replacement is necessary. Tips to follow to ensure your LVT lasts as long as possible:

1. Ensure that your LVT flooring is of high quality. Select your flooring carefully, as some companies and manufacturers will sell less durable flooring than advertised. Spending a little more money early on can save you money in the long run.
2. Maintain cleanliness daily by sweeping, vacuuming, and mopping when appropriate. Sweeping every day while mopping around once a week should ensure a relatively long lifespan for your LVT flooring. Make sure that the cleaner you choose is vinyl floor-friendly.
3. When moving furniture, you should pick it up. Never drag or push. Doing so could move a plank or tile out of place. It's also a good idea to check under furniture regularly for sharp objects and debris. If the furniture is slid, even by accident, it could move the sharp object with it. As a result, the object can pierce and scratch the surface of your LVT.
4. Ultra Violet (UV) rays can have a negative effect on your LVT. They have been known to cause LVT print designs to fade. Investing in blinds or shades can help reduce UV rays' impact on your flooring. Placing floor mats in appropriate areas to protect your flooring from UV rays is also a great idea.