What Is Vinyl Flooring & How Do We Clean Them?

To cut renovation costs, many couples in Singapore have chosen to plan their own home renovation.

Installing a new floor can be a daunting task. But with vinyl flooring, it doesn’t have to be!

Vinyl flooring is one of the most popular types of flooring on the market today. It’s durable, easy to clean, and comes in various colours and styles.

You will love the look and feel of your new vinyl floors for years to come. They’re perfect for any room in your home and will add value to your property. It is also affordable.

To learn more about vinyl flooring and how to clean it, read the guide below!

What Is Vinyl Flooring? How Does It Look Like?

Vinyl is made from PVC (polyvinyl chloride), a type of plastic. Vinyl flooring can be installed in any room in your home, including the kitchen, bathroom, and laundry room.

Vinyl is also moisture-resistant. This, is great for cleaning!

Thus, vinyl is an excellent choice for rooms prone to spills, such as the kitchen and bathroom. Vinyl flooring is also easy to maintain. You can sweep and mop your vinyl floors regularly to keep them looking their best.

We recommend vinyl flooring for:

• Families with pets and children because it’s stain-resistant
• People with allergies because it doesn’t harbour dust or other allergens
• Limited budgets because it’s beautiful without costing a fortune

When it comes to home renovations, it is not recommended to use your entire savings for the project. There might be other financial emergencies.

There are plenty of other ways to fund your home renovation. Be it $10,000 or $80,000, there are solutions to it.

Main Types of Vinyl Flooring

Don’ skip this section. If you want to clean your floors quickly, you have to choose the right one for your needs.

The two main types of vinyl flooring according to their installation process are:

• Sheet vinyl floors, and:
• Panel vinyl.

Sheet vinyl floors are made from a single piece of vinyl and are available in various thicknesses. Panel vinyl floors are made from multiple pieces of vinyl and are available in either tiles or planks.

Which should you get?

Panel vinyl floors are better for high-moisture rooms, like your kitchen. However, dust and debris can easily get caught between the planks.

Conversely, sheet vinyl is perfect for a dry, low-traffic room with less moisture. For example, you can install sheet vinyl in your baby’s room. You can easily mop once per day to keep it clean, especially if your little one is crawling.

Vinyl Flooring Advantages

Now that we know what vinyl flooring is and the different types available, let’s discuss some of its benefits.

Low Price

Vinyl floors are one of the most affordable flooring options on the market, especially compared to hardwood floors.

However, vinyl looks anything but cheap. Many luxury Vinyl Tiles (LVT) can convincingly imitate more expensive materials like stone or wood.

This is your best option if you’re looking for a flooring that’s inexpensive and yet classy!

Easy to Install

You can DIY if you’re feeling handy or hire a professional for a quick and seamless installation. Vinyl plank flooring installation is straightforward because the planks snap together, making it a floating floor.

To find a contractor to help you with home renovation, click on our guide here.

Floating floors are not attached to the subfloor, so they’re ideal for homes with concrete or wood subfloors.

Bonus: Having a floating vinyl floor reduces noise and damage.

Durable and Long-Lasting

Luxury vinyl floors can last for years with proper care and maintenance. Vinyl is also stain-resistant, making it an excellent choice for homes with pets or children.

Vinyl panels are easy to change if and when they get damaged.

All you have to do is remove the broken tile and replace it with a new one. In the case of vinyl sheet floors, you have to change the whole thing – even if it’s just a bit dented.

Easy to Clean

If you are not planning to hire a maid, this point is very important for you.

Vinyl floors are easy to clean and require very little maintenance. You can sweep and mop your floors regularly to keep them looking their best.

If you have any spills, Vinyl flooring is also waterproof and stain-resistant. You can easily wipe up any spills with a damp cloth. For tougher stains, you can use a Vinyl floor cleaner. Do avoid harsh chemicals, as they can damage your floors.

Designs Galore

Vinyl floors come in different shapes and sizes. You can find vinyl floors that look like wood, stone, or marble. Vinyl tiles also have various colours and patterns, so you can easily find one that matches your home’s décor.

Comfort Under Foot

Vinyl floors are softer than other flooring options like stone or tile. Thus, vinyl is gentle on your knees and feet. That’s specifically important if you have young children or older adults in your home.

Also, children won’t hurt themselves as bad if they fall on vinyl.

Vinyl Flooring Disadvantages

Of course, there are always two sides to the story. Now that we know the advantages of vinyl flooring let’s look at some of the disadvantages.

Vinyl floors can be damaged by:

• Sharp objects – like high heels or pet claws.
• Excess heat – like from a dropped cigarette.
• Too much sunlight – which can cause fading.

While vinyl floors are durable, they’re not indestructible.

You have to take extra care to protect them from sharp objects and excessive heat or sunlight.

Vinyl floors can also be slippery. If you have Vinyl floors, you should use area rugs in high traffic areas to prevent slips and falls.

Moreover, vinyl floors are not as eco-friendly as other flooring options like bamboo or cork.

They’re usually made from PVC, which is a type of plastic that can release harmful chemicals into the air. However, some of the greener vinyl floors on the market don’t use any dangerous phthalates.

Vinyl Flooring Maintenance

To keep your Vinyl Floors looking their best, you should:

• Sweep or vacuum regularly to remove dirt and dust.
• Mop with a Vinyl floor cleaner or mild soap and water.
• Wipe up spills immediately.
• Use area rugs in high traffic areas.
• Avoid harsh chemicals, as they can damage your floors.

Can you vacuum vinyl flooring?

Yes, you can vacuum vinyl flooring, but you should use a soft-bristled attachment and make sure the vacuum’s wheels are clean.

Besides, avoid vacuuming in one spot for too long, which can cause damage. Spot-cleaning with a soft rag is better if you’re dealing with a challenging stain.

Can you steam clean vinyl floors?

You should avoid using a steam cleaner on vinyl floors because the heat can damage the material. If you must use a steam cleaner, make sure it’s on the lowest setting and hold it at least six inches away from the floor.

It’s better to spot-clean with mild soap and water or vinyl floor cleaner. Avoid harsh chemicals, which can damage your floors.

How often should you mop vinyl floors?

It depends on how much traffic your floors get.

• If you have a lot of people coming in and out of your home, you should mop your Vinyl floors once a week.
• For light traffic areas, mopping every two weeks should be sufficient.

However, we recommend vacuuming every day to keep your floors healthy and clean.

Choosing Vinyl Flooring For Your Home

Vinyl floors are an excellent choice for many homes because they’re durable and easy to care for. However, you should take extra care to protect them from sharp objects and excessive heat or sunlight. With proper care and maintenance, your Vinyl floors can last for years.

It’s equally crucial to install quality vinyl flooring.

Spending a bit extra now will save you a lot of hassle in the future. RenoLoan will help you find an affordable, quick loan within hours.

Apply here.