How To Clean And Maintain Luxury Vinyl Tile Flooring

If you've just moved into a new home that features luxury vinyl tile flooring or have recently installed it in your current house, knowing how to care for it properly will ensure long-lasting beauty and durability. While luxury tile is made of high-quality materials, it's still susceptible to everyday wear and tear. 

Luxury vinyl tile flooring is made to replicate the look of several all-natural materials, such as hardwood, marble stone, and even brick, depending on your home decor style. Well-made luxury vinyl tile is realistic looking and has features that resemble its authentic counterparts, such as color variations and marbling for stone, and multiple pattern variations and graining for wood. 

Vinyl tile is convenient in that it gives you the look of all-natural flooring at a fraction of the cost. It's also easy to install over existing tile with either adhesive backing or an interlocking system. Luxury tile is also typically waterproof and scratch-resistant, making it hardier than some natural materials, such as softer woods. Since it's so durable, luxury tile is the perfect flooring option for busy households with pets and kids. 

Following are tips for cleaning and maintaining your luxury vinyl tile flooring:

1. Sweep Regularly 

Sweep your vinyl tile regularly using a broom and a dustpan, paying special attention to high-traffic areas such as a hallway or kitchen. Sweeping will keep the flooring clean and free of small debris, such as pebbles, that could potentially damage the tile when stepped on. 

Another way to clear the tile of debris, including mud, pet fur, and food crumbs, is by vacuuming it on the machine's lowest setting. Some vacuums may even indicate a specific tile or hardwood flooring setting.

If you have pets, using a dry mop featuring either a reusable or washable microfiber cloth will keep the tile fur- and dander-free. On a daily basis, it's also important to clean up any spills using an absorbent cloth right away. 

2. Mop as Needed 

Depending on how active your household is and whether you wear shoes indoors or not, mop the tile on either a weekly, bi-weekly, or as-needed basis to keep it looking its best. Use either a liquid cleaning solution designed for use on vinyl tile flooring, or a warm water and gentle dishwashing liquid solution. Avoid using harsh chemicals, such as bleach or ammonia, which can damage the flooring.

Remove any dark stains from light-colored tile using a baking soda and water mixture. Rub the paste into the stain using a soft cloth and rinse with clean water. Rubbing a small amount of rubbing alcohol into a stubborn stain, such as ink or grease, may remove the spot.