Want Your Vinyl Plank Flooring to Last? 5 Things You Should Never Use to Clean It

Vinyl plank flooring is a more affordable alternative to traditional hardwood that provides a similarly sleek, luxe look. It’s much thicker than wood planks, and thus considered to be quite durable.

However, vinyl plank flooring requires care when cleaning to make sure it truly lasts, as using the same cleaners for traditional flooring can cause it to wear. To prevent any cleaning mishaps—and keep your floors in tip-top shape—we tapped two experts for the things you should never use when cleaning vinyl floors.

Ammonia and Bleach-Based Cleaners

Ammonia- and bleach-based cleaners may seem like good ideas since they disinfect and cut through grime. However, they are often too harsh for vinyl plank floors. This includes formulas like Mr. Clean’s All-Purpose Cleaner and Clorox Clean Up.

“[These products] and others with ammonia break down the protective coating of vinyl floors which leads to discoloration, fading, and surface damage,” explains Robin Murphy, president of home-cleaning service Maid Brigade.

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Abrasive Scrubs

Similarly, abrasive scrubs and powders can break down the protective layer of vinyl floors.

“[Items] like scouring pads or those gritty cleaning pastes [end] up leaving tiny scratches all over the surface,” says Vanessa Terra Bossart, CEO of GreenTerra Cleaning Service.

Products like “scrubbing bubbles” and foams fall under this category, as well as magic erasers which can cause discoloration, notes Murphy. Need an alternative to tackle sticky spots on vinyl plank floors?

“A tiny bit of rubbing alcohol on a microfiber cloth can do wonders—but don’t go overboard with it!” advises Bossart.

Hardwood Cleaners

Cleaners that you would normally use on hardwood floors don’t have the same effect on vinyl.

“[They] contain oils, which create a weird buildup that makes the floor look cloudy and sticky over time,” says Bossart.

This residue attracts dirt and is hard to remove, making vinyl plank floors even more difficult to clean over time, Murphy notes. They can even make your floors slippery. So, steer clear of popular picks like Pine Sol and Bona Hardwood Floor Polish. This especially applies to citrus oils.

“[They] smell nice but they are usually too acidic for vinyl and can degrade the surface layer, making the floor look dull,” Murphy says.

Steaming or Wet Mops

Steaming mops have a satisfying finish: “Hot steam, no chemicals, and feels like a deep clean,” says Bossart.

However, vinyl and extreme heat don’t mix well, she notes.

“That heat can weaken the adhesive underneath and cause the planks to warp or separate,” Bossart explains. “So, while it feels like a deep clean, it can do more harm than good in the long run.”

You’ll also want to be cautious of using lots of moisture or water in general.

“Use a damp mop—not wet—and dry the floors afterwards to prevent water from seeping into the seams or edges,” Murphy suggests.

Certain Natural Ingredients

Since vinyl doesn’t do well with harsh chemicals, you might be tempted to reach for natural ingredients. However, you’ll want to use discretion here as well.

“Vinegar is acidic and will break down the protective layer on vinyl floors which will cause [it] to lose its shine, discolor, and weaken the material if used too often or in high concentration,” Murphy offers as an example.

Lemon juice can similarly be too acidic, Murphy says. Even baking soda can scuff vinyl floors when used in excess, along with castille soap, leaves behind a sticky residue that attracts grime.

Instead, keep your routine simple—vacuum or sweep regularly, and find water-based cleaners that are labeled as safe for vinyl floors.