Get matched with top floor polishers in Carrington, ND

You can embrace minimalism when it comes to cleaning vinyl plank flooring. Water or diluted vinegar both work great for mopping and are much better options than some other cleaners that can damage the protective coating on these floors. Ammonia or solvent-based polishes can both break down the top layer. Also, avoid “mop-and-shine” cleaners, which tend to leave behind residue on vinyl plank floors.

You can use dish soap mixed with warm water to clean just about any type of flooring, and while vinegar is a great addition to some floor cleaners, it’s not a good idea to use it on wood flooring or engineered wood flooring. Vinegar is very acidic, and it can gradually eat away at the protective finish on wood floors. If you’re cleaning laminate, tile, concrete, or vinyl floors, feel free to use vinegar and water in a 1-to-1 ratio with a few drops of dish soap. For wood floors, substitute the vinegar for olive oil.

Wood floors should be polished every two to four months to maintain a shine and to keep them protected from daily wear and tear. More frequent maintenance includes dry mopping the floors daily and cleaning spills immediately, using a spray mop and cleaner weekly to remove any built up dirt or grime, and sanding and refinishing the floors every three to five years.

Most DIY floor cleaners don’t require rinsing, but you’ll want to make sure you don’t add too much dish soap or oil to the cleaner to avoid having to rinse it after cleaning. For non-wood floors, mix 8 parts warm water, 1 part vinegar, and 1 part baking soda with a few drops of dish soap. For wood floors, use olive oil in that same mixture instead of the vinegar. You can let these solutions air-dry after cleaning your floors with them, although you should manually dry your floors if they aren’t waterproof.