How to Remove Build Up on Vinyl Flooring

Vinyl flooring is durable, making it an ideal choice for homes that see heavy foot traffic, especially from children and animals. Vinyl is commonly used in bathrooms and kitchens, which both become dirty quickly. Loose dirt and dust can be removed from a vinyl floor with a broom or vacuum cleaner, but sometimes these cleaning methods are not enough to keep the floor clean. Other substances can build up on vinyl flooring and require some "elbow grease" and a mop to remove.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Wet mop
• Bucket
• Dish-washing detergent
• Ammonia

1. Remove dirt, waxy buildup and other debris from your vinyl flooring by using the weakest cleaner first, and work your way up to the strongest. Wet-mop the floor with plain water. (Wet-mop is the method, but keep the mop damp rather than sopping wet.) You may find that some of the buildup on your floor can be removed this way.

2. Combine 1 tablespoon of dish-washing detergent and 1 quart of warm water. This mixture is ideal to use on vinyl flooring if you no longer have the care instructions from the manufacturer and do not know the specific cleaners that are recommended. Mop the vinyl flooring with the soapy water to remove sticky or waxy buildup that remains.

3. Resort to a stronger cleaner if ground-in grime has accumulated in your flooring. Mix together 1 tablespoon of clear ammonia and 1 quart of warm water. Mop the floor, then rinse with clear water. Leaving the ammonia mixture on the vinyl can create a film and may dull the surface.

References

• World Floor Covering Association, how to clean vinyl flooring
• Flooring America, vinyl