Many homeowners accidentally ruin their vinyl floors by using cleaning products and methods that are perfectly acceptable for other types of hard flooring, like ceramic tiles.
Understanding what not to do is therefore as critical as knowing what to do. Vinyl’s layered composition and sensitive wear layer demand a specific approach.
1) Never Use Abrasive Cleaners or Tools
This category includes scouring powders (e.g., Ajax), gritty cleaning pastes, steel wool, and stiff-bristled scrubbing brushes.
These items are designed to physically grind away grime, and they will do the same to your floor’s protective finish, leaving behind a network of scratches that permanently dull the surface.
2) Never Use Ammonia or Bleach
These are powerful, highly alkaline chemicals found in many all-purpose cleaners, glass cleaners, and disinfecting wipes.
On vinyl, they are destructive. They can chemically break down the material, causing it to become brittle and crack, and can strip the finish, leading to irreversible discoloration and fading.
3) Never Use Wax or “Mop and Shine” Products
Modern vinyl flooring comes with a factory-applied polyurethane finish that does not require waxing or polishing. Products that promise to add shine will do the opposite in the long run.
They create a soft, sticky build-up on the surface that does not bond properly, resulting in a dull, hazy film that attracts dirt and is extremely difficult to remove without professional stripping.
4) Never Use a Steam Mop
This is one of the most common and damaging mistakes. While steam cleaners are excellent for sanitizing hard, non-porous surfaces like sealed tile, the combination of intense heat and moisture is disastrous for vinyl.
The steam can penetrate the seams, weaken the adhesive holding the planks down, and cause the layers of the vinyl itself to delaminate. This leads to warping, bubbling, peeling edges, and permanent damage.
Unless your flooring manufacturer explicitly approves it in writing, assume steam mops are forbidden.
5) Never Drench Your Floor with Water
This point cannot be overstated, especially in Singapore’s climate. Always use a well-wrung, damp mop. Puddles and standing water create an opportunity for moisture to seep between the planks and damage the vinyl flooring.
6) Never Use Oil-Based Soaps or Hardwood Cleaners
Products formulated for wood floors, such as Murphy’s Oil Soap or oil-based polishes, are unsuitable for vinyl. They are designed to nourish wood but will leave a greasy, slippery residue on the non-porous surface of vinyl. This film dulls the finish and attracts dust and grime.
7) Never Use a Vacuum with the Beater Bar On
The stiff, spinning bristles of a beater bar are designed to deep-clean carpets and can easily scratch, scuff, or even tear the surface of vinyl flooring. It is important to use the hard floor setting when using a vacuum cleaner.
If you want to know what is the best way to clean your vinyl flooring, read our guide here.
