It is essential to keep the flooring clean, and many of you even use steam cleaning to thoroughly clean the flooring. However, not all types of flooring can resist steam cleaning. Furthermore, many of you may be unaware of which flooring may tolerate steam cleaning.
If you have vinyl flooring, you will undoubtedly want to know whether or not you can steam clean it.
As a result, this article will supply you with all of the information you need to know about steam cleaning on vinyl flooring.
Table of Contents
Can Vinyl Floors Be Steam Cleaned?
Steam cleaning is not an option for vinyl flooring. because the cleaner’s emitted steam includes moisture. If the vinyl floor is cleaned with steam, the steam and moisture will permeate the layers of vinyl planks, causing the boards to become loose and lifted over time by melting the glue underlying the vinyl flooring.
Is steam cleaning effective on vinyl floors?
Steam cleaning is not recommended for vinyl floors because the steam may include moisture, which may harm the flooring.
A steam cleaner cleans a surface or an object by evaporating steam, which loosens grime. However, when water is cooked above its boiling point, it also has moisture in it.
When a vinyl floor is a steam cleaned, moisture penetrates the layers of the vinyl plank flooring. The glue that holds the boards together dissolves over time because of steam. This causes the boards to be loose.
So, at the very least, steam cleaning is not recommended for vinyl plank flooring, and it is never recommended to steam clean vinyl floors.
Is it possible for a steam mop to damage vinyl plank flooring?
A steam mop will undoubtedly permanently destroy the vinyl plank flooring. Because the canister’s steam or moisture will penetrate the grooves of the vinyl planks and destroy them.
As the steam reacts with the PVC boards and glues underneath, as a result of the intense heat, the glue will melt, resulting in loose and raised vinyl planks. And, over time, the steam cleaning will irreversibly destroy the flooring.
Another thing to remember is that you should not use a steam mop on your luxury vinyl plank flooring.
Because even if the steam or moisture remains on the flooring planks for an extended time, it may harm such durable and strong flooring, even if it is completely water-resistant. In rare circumstances, mildew may develop under the floorboards.
A microfiber spray mop is suggested for cleaning both kinds of flooring, whether it’s luxury vinyl plank or standard vinyl plank flooring.
Why shouldn’t you clean vinyl floors with steam mops?
In this part, you will learn about several reasons why you should never use a steam mop to clean your home’s vinyl flooring.
The flooring structure is destroyed.
Although vinyl plank flooring is waterproof, it cannot tolerate strong heat or steam. If you use a steam mop to clean the vinyl floors, the form of the flooring may be destroyed.
For example, if steam remains on the vinyl flooring planks for an extended time, it may get trapped between the vinyl flooring planks and the main floor’s foundation. As a consequence, bubbles will form, ruining the structure of the vinyl floor.
Planks That Aren’t Tight
Steam from a steam mop may infiltrate through the small joints between vinyl planks. And this will cause the glue used to keep the vinyl planks together to dissolve. As a result, it will result in loose vinyl planks. It is also possible for the plank to bend as a result of this.
Lifted vinyl planks
Steam leaking through the cracks of vinyl planks may cause moisture to accumulate underneath the flooring. As a result, the edges of the vinyl planks may be raised.
You can sometimes remedy this issue, but most of the time you can’t. Therefore, the only answer to such a serious problem is to restore those raised boards.
unpleasant smell
If the steam or moisture remains on the vinyl plank flooring for an extended time, it will infiltrate through the seams and reach the core of the flooring. In addition, it will emit an unpleasant stench throughout your house.
Top Melamine Layer Erosion
As a result, vinyl plank flooring may be more likely to get dirty and dusty.
Permanent impairment
Some steam mops generate steam by heating water beyond its boiling point within a canister. This signifies that the steam entering the vinyl plank flooring is at least 212° F. This high temperature might permanently harm the vinyl flooring.
What Is the Most Effective Way to Clean Vinyl Flooring?
If you’re looking for the best methods to clean your home’s vinyl floor, here are some suggestions based on how daily cleaning and thorough cleaning were explained to you.
The best technique for cleaning daily is to sweep with a soft broom. Sweeping regularly will keep the surface dust-free.
Instead of standard brooms, a dust mop may be used for everyday sweeping and cleaning. All fine dust particles and filth may be easily removed using a dust mop.
Another efficient everyday cleaning method is vacuuming. It is very safe and eliminates all dust and debris. Just remember to stay away from any carpet attachments.
Here are the best ways to clean thoroughly, which you should do once a week or once a month, depending on your habits.
To avoid water damage to the flooring, use a vinyl floor cleaner with a rinse-free recipe. Simply spray a little amount on one area of the floor at a time and clean it immediately with a microfiber mop.
You may also make your DIY floor cleaner and use it in the same way that you would use any professional cleaner.
You may also clean your vinyl plank flooring using a spin mop. Spray mops are another efficient alternative for thoroughly cleaning your vinyl floor.
What Is the Best Way to Deep Clean Vinyl Floors?
A weekly or monthly thorough cleaning, in addition to everyday maintenance, is essential to keep your vinyl plank flooring clean and shining. As a result, the methods for thorough cleaning of vinyl flooring are detailed below.
Vacuum or sweep the floor.
You must begin deep cleaning by properly sweeping or vacuuming the floor. Sweeping the floor and collecting surface dust may be done with a standard broom or a dust mop.
You may also vacuum the whole floor, which would be more effective. Just make sure the vacuum cleaner has a hard surface setting or appliance.
Scuff Marks Must Be Removed
Look for and clean scuff marks before mopping. Scuffs may be removed by dampening your microfiber mop slightly and buffing them away.
Scrubbing away the resistant soil
Scrub away obstinate filth from the flooring using a moist scrubbing brush or toothbrush. If the dirt is stubborn, make a paste of water and baking soda, apply it to the filth, then scrape it away with a moist scrub brush or toothbrush.
If there is any built-up muck in the kitchen, you will most likely need to scrape it out using a putty knife.
Clean the floor.
After you’ve completed these tasks, you’ll need to clean the floor. You may use any commercial vinyl floor cleaner, such as Bona Stone, or you can build your cleaning solution.
All you need to do is combine vinegar and water to make it. You may also add 2/3 drops of dish soap to the mixture for suds if desired.
Dip your mop into the cleaning solution and wring it out well, leaving no dripping water. And carefully mop the floor.
If you used a store-bought cleaner, you must mop the floor again with clean water after you complete mopping. If you used a DIY vinegar and water solution, you may skip this step.
The floor should be air-dried.
Allow the floor to air dry completely after thoroughly wiping it. Make sure that the floor completely dries off, leaving no wetness on the surface.
Is it possible to steam clean vinyl plank floors?
Steam cleaning vinyl plank flooring is never a good idea. Because steam will melt the adhesive used to hold the vinyl planks together in the area.
It will also result in loose vinyl planks or elevated vinyl plank edges. And it might irreversibly ruin the flooring over time.
Can You Clean Luxury Vinyl Flooring with A Steam Cleaner?
A steam cleaner cannot be used on luxury vinyl flooring (LVT or LVP). Although LVP/LVT is waterproof, it cannot survive moisture or steam.
Because steam will infiltrate the layers of LVP or LVT flooring, serious damage will result. If the steam lingers on the surface for a long time, mustiness may form.
Which mop is best for cleaning vinyl floors?
A small selection of the top mops is presented here.
- Premium Spray Mop for Stone Tile & Laminate Floors by Bona
- Floor Cleaning System with Turbo Microfiber Mop
- Easy Wring Microfiber Spin Mop by O-Cedar
- Bissell Spin wave Mop and Floor Cleaner
- Vmai Cordless Electric Mop
- Deep Microfiber e-Cloth Mop
- 360 degree spin mop by Value box
What Floors Can You Clean with A Steam Mop?
A steam mop is useful for cleaning ceramic and porcelain tiles, concrete floors or tiles, and solid hardwood floors. Make sure that ceramic or tile floors, as well as solid hardwood floors, are properly sealed.
A steam mop may also be used to clean grout lines.
Steam cleaning has the potential to permanently damage the flooring. As a result, never use steam cleaning on vinyl plank flooring.