Caring For Vinyl Flooring

Vinyl/linoleum flooring has a place in almost every home. It offers an expensive flooring option for high traffic rooms that also is attractive and stylish - because vinyl flooring comes in so many different colors and prints, it is easy to find vinyl floors that work with any kind of dcor. However, despite the fact that vinyl flooring is invaluable when it comes to standing up to the rigors of heavy traffic areas, if you want your flooring to look great for a long time, then you need to care for it properly. These tips will keep your vinyl in tip top shape.

Keep it Clean

Keeping vinyl floors clean is easy, but if you don't stick to a regular cleaning schedule, your floors will suffer. If you maintain a regular schedule, all you will need to do to the floor is sweep it/vacuum it to get rid of the dirt and debris and wash it with soapy water or floor cleaner. Don't let any spills sit on the vinyl for an extended period; spills can lead to stains and water damage on your floors. If your floor seems to be losing its sheen, use a polish designed for vinyl floors periodically. Just be careful to choose one specifically created for your kind of flooring to prevent damage to the floors and to ensure it won't leave your vinyl too slippery.

Prevent and Repair Damage

Torn vinyl can be a real eye sore, so do everything you can to avoid the problem in the first place. Never slide furniture or other objects over the vinyl floors. If you have a piece of furniture that cannot be picked up, lay out some plywood over the floor and slide the furniture over the surface of the plywood instead of over the floor.

Of course, not every tear is preventable. If you do get a tear in your vinyl, immediately cover the area so the damage does not get worse, and call out a local professional floor installer. The same goes for seams in your floor that start to pull apart; cover the seams so they don't get pulled up further and so that dirt does not get trapped underneath the floor and then call out a professional.

Keeping dirt out of any tears and pulled seams is crucial if you want to have a chance of repairing the floor. Moisture trapped underneath the floor prevents a problem for repair as well, so never wash your floor when it is torn. These simple cleaning and care tips will keep your vinyl in tip top shape for a long time to come.

Eric Slarkowski repeatedly pens publications on issues associated with types of lumber and hardwood lumber. You can see his publications on hardwood lumber suppliers at http://www.insidewoodworking.com and various other sources for hardwood lumber suppliers information.