Can I Use A Steam Mop On A Vinyl Floor? – Here Is The Answer

Nowadays, vinyl planks are a great choice to install in houses. They create a safe, low-maintenance, durable surface as well as offer the same aesthetic benefits like high-end materials.

With so many advantages, vinyl floors are worth the money but what about cleaning them up? How to clean vinyl floors properly? Can you use a steam mop on the vinyl floor?

If you are also wondering about these problems, this article could help. Clairoliviawayman will give answers as well as in-depth explanations for all your questions, so keep reading!

Can You Use A Steam Mop On Vinyl Flooring?

can-use-steam-mop-on-vinyl-floor
The moisture released from steam mops can damage your vinyl planks – source image

The simple answer is NO.

The floor is one of the dirtiest areas in your house. Dirt and small bits of gravel on shoe soles as well as spills due to fruit juice and food can scratch and destroy the finish of vinyl floors.

Since a dry mop cannot thoroughly clean your vinyl floor, you may want to use a steam mop but wonder if it is good for your floor.

NO NO and No because high temperatures can destroy the structure of vinyl. Of course, it also depends on a lot of things like the quality of your vinyl floor, the type of steam mop you use, the heat, and so on.

If you still want to clean your vinyl flooring, it’s best to contact your device manufacturer directly. However, we do not recommend that you do so.

And if you are finding Best Mop For Vinyl Floors, check my post here, it will helpful!!!

Why Shouldn’t You Use Steam Mops To Clean Vinyl Floors?

Knowing full well that steam cleaning comes with a lot of benefits. It saves you time, and the heat can kill harmful bacteria on your floor. However, before you decide to use a steam mop to clean your floor, you need to know how the vinyl was made and how it can be destroyed by steam.

The vinyl floor is made of plastic material and can be coated with a layer of polyurethane on the surface. Although vinyl is known for its excellent water resistance and easy cleaning ability, the moisture released from steam mops can damage your vinyl planks.

The narrow spaces between planks make them vulnerable to ruin from heat and moisture. In particular, if you put the planks together by glue, do not use a steam mop because it will make planks loose and bent.

Even when the steam is left on the floor long enough for it to seep through seems and run down to the core, your house may appear an unpleasant odor. Especially if you have allergic rhinitis, you need to be aware of this. It can cost you a lot of money just to buy medicine.

In case you really want to use a steam mop on the vinyl floor, do not let the steam penetrate in the joints. So if you are using a steam mop, keep it moving. Never leave your mop too long in the same place or joints. Then, make sure to dry those areas, so there is no moisture left afterward.

It sounds very complicated, right?

Don’t worry, my friends. There are many better ways to clean vinyl flooring. Scroll down now!

Clean Vinyl Floors Using Vinegar and More

There are many other ways to clean your vinyl floor – source image

Since steam mops can damage your vinyl floor, there are a few other cleaning techniques that you can follow:

– Sweep or vacuum your vinyl floor every day to remove dirt, dust, and grime migrating into your house. Be sure to clean under your furniture, along the walls, and under the cabinet.

– Clean vinyl floors with vinegar: White vinegar or apple cider vinegar is one of the best natural cleansers for vinyl floors. While strong cleaners can irritate the skin and adversely affect your respiratory system, vinegar is extremely safe, cheap and does not leave residues.

Using vinegar to clean the vinyl floor is also very simple. All you need to do is mix vinegar with a gallon of hot water. After that, use a cotton towel or soft cleaning tool to soak into that solution and clean.

In case your floor is especially dirty, you can add a few drops of soap to the mixture before cleaning the house.

Simple way: Use a mixture of water and baking soda to remove spills caused by juice, tomato sauce, and something like that. Gently scrub stains until they disappear and clean the floor again with water to remove any traces of baking soda.

By the way, Clairoliviawayman have a post about ” How To Clean Vinyl Floors With Vinegar “, check it out by click here!

Wrap It Up

Again, we do not recommend you to use steam mops to clean the vinyl floor because the steam can damage vinyl planks.

There is no denying the fact that the vinyl floor is one of the most popular choices for houses around the world because it is waterproof, durable, inexpensive, and easy to clean.

However, the durability of product depends on user. Proper cleaning will keep your floor looking fresh as if you have just installed it.

Hopefully, you found our article helpful. If you have any suggestion, please leave comments below to let us know. Thank you for reading!

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