Cleaning Luxury Vinyl Plank Flooring Tips

Luxury vinyl plank (LVP) flooring provides many benefits to consumers including beauty, comfort and durability.  Even durable vinyl flooring needs proper care and cleaning to maintain it’s initial luxurious look.  Here are some tips to cleaning your luxury vinyl flooring:

Initial Vinyl Plank Flooring Care within 24 hours of installation

• Avoid stepping on the seam if the floor has been seamed to allow it to completely dry undisturbed
• Keep foot traffic very light during the first 24 hours after installation to allow any adhesive to thoroughly dry
• Always protect the floor with wood or hardboard runways when moving furniture and appliances across the floor
• Wait at least three days before washing or scrubbing the floor, you can spot clean with care to avoid the seams

Routine Daily and Weekly Cleaning of Luxury Vinyl Plank Flooring

• Wipe up spills promptly to prevent stains
• Sweep regularly to remove loose dirt
• Mop occasionally with a recommended vinyl floor cleaning product, avoid soap and detergent products which will cause a dull film to develop.  Rinsing is typically not required but may leave a higher shine
• LVP floors are typically low-gloss, a mop-n-shine product or polish can make the finish shiny
• Several applications of polish may require an occasional stripping.  Manufacturer cleaner and stripper products are available to restore LVP floors to a luxurious luster.
• Use caution when cleaning as resilient floor are slippery when wet

Simple Guidelines to Protect Luxury Vinyl Plank Flooring

• Always use a doormat outside of each entrance door to prevent tracking in dirt and other substances
• Keep your blinds or curtains closed during times of high sun exposure as excessive sunlight and heat will cause furniture, carpet and even resilient floors to fade over time
• Furniture and appliances should be supported with non-staining floor protectors.
• Always use strips of wood or hardboard runways when moving heavy furniture and appliances across the floor, even if using a dolly or if the appliance has wheels

Contact Great Western Flooring for more information on cleaning luxury vinyl plank flooring and for all your floor care needs.  We offer complimentary design consultations, high-quality floor products and professional installation.  Contact us today to speak with a floor care professional.

What is WPC Flooring?

WPC stands for wood plastic composite and is a type of luxury vinyl flooring enhanced with a waterproof core.  WPC is known for this most desirable quality of moisture and water resistance, becoming quite popular in residential and commercial spaces alike.  WPC provides the look of real hardwood with less maintenance and added durability.  WPC is revolutionizing the way we think of vinyl flooring, providing timeless beauty at an affordable cost.

WPC Flooring is Constructed in Layers

WPC flooring products are constructed in layers with an extruded core made up of synthetic plastic mixed with recycled wood to produce waterproof planks.  A PVC veneer provides added durability and water resistance that will not swell or warp from exposure to water.  Layers in WPC flooring consist of:

• Core underlayment which provides insulation, absorbs imperfections in the subfloor, and resistance to mold and mildew.  
• A waterproof core that will not contract or expand
• Top layer of luxury vinyl which provides resilience with resistance to chips and dents
• Top wear layer which is easy to clean and offers resistance to stains from normal or excessive wear and tear

WPC is beautiful and comfortable, making it a smart investment that brings valuable benefits to your office or home for many years.

WPC Flooring Provides Many Benefits

There are many benefits provided by WPC flooring, whether installed in your home or office.  Some of the most desirable benefits include:

• 100% waterproof core make it ideal in many rooms of the house including kitchens, bathrooms and mudrooms or any room exposed to moisture
• Multiple layers which provide cushion and comfort which is easier on the joints when compared to stone or hardwood
• Realistic replica of real stone or hard wood make it hard to tell the difference between real hardwood or WPC flooring
• Simple maintenance with quick mopping or vacuuming keeps your floors beautiful and clean
• Less expensive that real hardwood with easier installation

WPC flooring provides these and many other valuable benefits when purchasing quality materials with a proper installation.  Great Western Flooring offers quality products with professional installation.

Great Western Flooring offers a wide selection of flooring products, including various types of carpet, vinyl floors, luxury vinyl flooring and WPC flooring to name just a few.  We offer complimentary design consultations and three conveniently located design centers in Naperville, Oswego and St. Charles.  Contact us today to learn more about your flooring options and WPC flooring.  

How to Clean Laminate Flooring Baseboards

Cleaning your laminate baseboards and quarter rounds is generally accomplished with the same cleaning methods used on your laminate floor.  The products you use will depend upon whether the baseboard is made of wood and what finish is on them.  Wood oils can be used on unpainted wood, but only after some preparation and general cleaning is done.

The first thing to do is to know your material and follow manufacturers directions.  If you are unsure of the type of material or the manufacturer, you could contact a professional floor company for advice.

Once you know what you’re working with, some general steps for safely cleaning the baseboards on your laminate floor include:

• Thoroughly dust your floor and baseboards with a microfiber dust mop
• Use a wash cloth dampened with water to wipe down the baseboards or quarter rounds
• Follow manufacturer’s labels for cleaning laminate flooring quarter rounds
• Use wood oil only on real wood products.  Avoid oil on laminate as a slippery, waxy buildup will occur
• Avoid using any type of bleach product or product with bleach in it
• Avoid using soap and water or soapy detergents
• Apply selected cleaning solution directly to the cloth rather than spraying on the baseboard
• Diluted white vinegar with water is a very common and effective cleaning solution for laminate flooring
• Always spot test an inconspicuous area first to ensure your cleaning solutions will not fade the finish or color of your laminate flooring.

Great Western Flooring Offers Laminate Flooring

Great Western Flooring offers laminate flooring products with baseboards, quarter rounds and all required materials.  We provide a wide selection of high quality floor products from the leading manufacturers.  We offer professional installation with maintenance tips for your specific product.

Great Western Flooring is a leading flooring company serving the Chicago area with three design centers in Naperville, Oswego and St. Charles.  We provide high quality products with professional installation to ensure long lasting beauty and comfort.  Contact us today to learn more about the proper care and maintenance of your laminate floor and baseboards.