There’s no denying that the current era has become the time of vinyl plank flooring. This type of flooring was once unheard of, but now you are hard-pressed to find a single home that doesn’t have vinyl flooring in at least one of its rooms.
Hardwood flooring used to be popular, but vinyl plank flooring is much cheaper which is why it is now commonly used. It is also more durable than hardwood flooring and looks new for longer, so it’s clear why it is a popular choice.
But there is one conundrum that many people find themselves in with vinyl flooring, and that is how to clean it. A lot of people will happily use a mop on their vinyl, but will immediately disregard their steam mop out of fear it might damage it. Even though it is perfectly safe to use your steam mop on vinyl plank flooring.
In this guide, we’re explaining why, and giving tips on how to protect your flooring while using this method. So if you want to find out more, keep on reading.
Traditional Mop vs Steam Mop
Traditional laminate is incredibly susceptible to water, and water can ruin your laminate very quickly. But vinyl plank flooring is a bit more advanced than laminate, and because of this, it is safe to clean it with water.
It is due to this that so many people happily use their traditional mop on vinyl plank flooring. But even though it is more resistant to water, a lot of this can still damage your vinyl.
Traditional mops tend to apply a lot of water to the area that you are cleaning, and because of this, it is massively increasing the risk of water leaking through the joints of the vinyl and causing it to lift.
Steam mopping, on the other hand, doesn’t add an excessive amount of water onto the surface of your vinyl, so minimizing the risk of it running through the joints. Steam mopping also only takes approximately 30 seconds to dry as the water is very thin, protecting your vinyl even further.
So even though a lot of people happily use their traditional mop on their vinyl, it is clear that the steam mop is a better option for the longevity of your vinyl.
Sanitizing Properties
As we have established that steam mopping is perfectly safe for vinyl flooring, let’s take a look at the main reason why it is the better option than traditional mopping.
Steam mopping utilizes high temperatures as a way to clean your flooring. These temperatures allow the steam mop to kill viruses and bacteria without having to use any harsh chemicals that could be damaging for your vinyl flooring and the environment.
In fact, these high temperatures are not only better for the environment, but they are also better at killing bacteria than most chemical cleaners as they have a 100% effectiveness rating.
Due to these sanitizing properties, it has become very common for people to have vinyl plank flooring installed in their bathrooms and kitchens where cleanliness is incredibly important, as it can be easily cleaned with a steam mop.
So it is clear to see the benefits of using a steam mop over a traditional mop.
But be Careful!
However, just because a steam mop is the safer option for your vinyl plank flooring, this doesn’t mean that you don’t have to be careful.
The good thing about steam mops is that they use less water than traditional mops. But the bad thing about steam mops is that they utilize high temperatures which can also be damaging to your vinyl flooring.
This doesn’t necessarily damage the vinyl, but it can cause the adhesive that is used to seal the vinyl to your floorboards to break down and can result in your vinyl lifting.
But there’s no need to worry as this is easily avoidable if you always use your steam mop on the lowest heat setting possible.
This heat will still kill the viruses and bacteria, but it will not be high enough to break down the glue, making it safe for use on your vinyl plank flooring.
Summary
In short, yes you can use your steam mop on vinyl plank flooring, and it is incredibly effective as long as you only use it on the lowest heat setting to avoid any unnecessary damage.
