CoreTec flooring is durable and practical and allows you to achieve a high-end look for a fraction of the price. Made from vinyl, CoreTec is designed with beveled edges to resemble real wood planks.
However, because it’s not real wood, you can clean it in a range of ways, so long as you have the correct cleaning agents and equipment.
Routine Cleaning CoreTec Flooring
In order to maintain the appearance of your CoreTec floor in between deep cleans, it’s a good idea to carry out routine cleaning, either on a daily basis or every few days.
Not only will this keep the surface looking clean, but it will also prevent dust and particles from getting ground into the floor.
You can dry-clean your CoreTec flooring with a broom, and then sweep up the dust and dirt with a dustpan.
Alternatively, you can use a dry mop, ideally one with a removable pad or a permanent pad. If you use the latter, you’ll need to clean the pad afterward.
Deep Cleaning CoreTec Flooring
While dry-cleaning your CoreTec floor is useful for sweeping up dust and dirt, for a deeper clean you’ll need to mop your floor.
However, in order to avoid damaging the floor, it’s important to use a non-abrasive mop that won’t scratch or dent the flooring.
Try to use a mop with a microfiber cloth instead, as this will be gentler and less likely to scratch the surface.
It’s also a good idea to use a gentle cleaning agent which doesn’t contain overpowering chemicals which alter the scent and coloring.
Ideally, you’ll want to use a product that is pH neutral as this is less likely to damage your CoreTec flooring in any way. You should also follow the manufacturer’s directions for diluting the product with the correct amount of water.
Vacuuming CoreTec Flooring
CoreTec flooring is pretty durable, but you should be careful if vacuuming the floor as it could scratch the surface.
The company advises against using vacuums that have rotating bearing bars for this reason. However, a standard vacuum cleaner should be fine on your CoreTec flooring, but be wary of the wheels marking the floor.
You definitely don’t want to use vacuums that have a wet-cleaning feature or steam cleaners, as these can heat the adhesive that holds the planks in place and cause your CoreTec flooring to become loose.
Polishing CoreTec Flooring
Polishing your flooring can give it a glossy, shiny finish and a new lease of life.
You’ll notice that after a while your CoreTec flooring will start to become dull, especially in the places that get a lot of foot traffic.
Keep your flooring looking its best by polishing it using at least two coats of a floor polishing product, ideally once per year.
While different areas of your flooring may be duller than others, it’s best to polish the whole floor to ensure its color and shine is consistent.
Before polishing, it’s important to clean the flooring so you have a fresh surface to work with. You can then follow the manufacturer’s instructions to apply two or more coats as directed.
Usually, it’s advised to stay off the floor for 24 hours after the application, and it’s also a good idea to ensure the room is well ventilated.
Cleaning Up Spills on CoreTec Flooring
If you spill something on your CoreTec floor, clean it up straight away, as otherwise, you risk it seeping into the cracks in the planks or soaking into the flooring.
Use a cloth or paper towel to blot liquids, but avoid rubbing as this can simply cause it to soak further into the CoreTec.
If a stain leaves behind a sticky residue, you can use warm water and light detergent, such as dish soap, to remove this. After cleaning, remove any soap residue with clean water.
For tougher stains, you can use rubbing alcohol, also known as isopropyl alcohol. Apply this directly to the stain and rub it gently with a clean cloth.
CoreTec also recommends a cleaning product called ‘Encore Care’, but they suggest avoiding abrasive cleaners, strong detergents, or spray cleaners since these tend to leave a dull residue behind.
Avoiding Scratches on CoreTec Flooring
While CoreTec flooring is pretty durable, the one thing it can be prone to is scratches. Take caution when moving furniture around or using various cleaning products and tools.
One thing that can help is using non-abrasive adhesive pads underneath furniture legs. These are usually made of felt or a felt-like material, and won’t scratch the floor, so you can easily slide furniture rather than having to lift it. You can also find other scratch-protection pads which are made out of other materials.
A simple way you can prevent marks and stains on your CoreTec flooring is to remove your shoes - and ask others to do the same - when entering your home. Shoes with marking soles can leave behind marks that are tricky to remove.
Preventing CoreTec from Fading
In order to prevent your CoreTec floor from fading, try to limit the amount of direct sunlight it is exposed to, as this can cause the color of the flooring to fade over time.
If a room isn’t in use during the day, simply draw the blinds or curtains to reduce the amount of light the floor is exposed to.
If this isn’t possible, you may wish to purchase some curtains which aim to block direct sunlight without limiting the natural light which enters the room.
Alternatively, you can get window treatments that do a similar job: they block UV rays but not the natural light itself - perfect if a particular room is in use throughout the day.
Tips for Keeping Your CoreTec Looking Its Best
- Avoid abrasive mops and certain vacuum cleaners which can scratch the floor
- Sweep away dirt and dust every few days with a dry mop or brush
- Use gentle products to target stains, ideally ones that are pH neutral
- Avoid products with harsh chemicals and colorants
- Clean up stains and spills as quickly as possible
- Using rubbing alcohol on tough stains
- Gently blot liquid stains rather than rubbing them
- Put non-abrasive pads underneath furniture to prevent scratches
- Limit exposure to UV rays as this can fade the CoreTec
- Polish your flooring once a year with 1 or 2 coats
- Have a no-shoe policy inside the house
Final Verdict
CoreTec flooring is a great way to achieve a luxury look without breaking the bank, however, to keep your flooring looking its best, it’s important to maintain it and clean it in the right way.
This type of flooring is pretty durable overall, however, you should avoid using any harsh chemicals or abrasive cleaning tools on your floor, as they could damage it. You should also avoid shoes in your home and limit CoreTec’s exposure to direct sunlight, as this could fade its color.
To keep your CoreTec clean and in optimal condition, carry out routine cleaning every few days and a deep cleaning every couple of weeks (or more frequently, if required).
You can also polish your flooring once a year to prolong its shiny appearance and prevent it from becoming dull and lackluster.
