Our complete guide to vinyl floor aftercare will keep your floors in tip top condition.
At Floors for Paws, our best flooring for dogs is supplied as pet-friendly vinyl plank flooring, LVT, or commercial vinyl sheet flooring. While all our flooring options are low maintenance, they will need the correct aftercare to ensure you get the maximum lifespan from them and they remain in the best possible condition. Here’s how!
What to do after installing vinyl flooring
- After installation, glue down flooring needs time for the glue to set before furniture is moved back on it. This process is called ‘curing’ and if not given sufficient time, planks and tiles could shift.
- While the adhesive sets, avoid washing the vinyl (for at least 5 days).
- Do not replace furniture in the area for 48-72 hours and if possible, avoid walking on it too. If you do need to walk in the room, avoid the seams. If heavy objects are placed on the vinyl before the adhesive has cured, it will leave permanent compression marks.
- Open windows to ventilate the room and help any odours to dissipate.
Protecting vinyl floors from damage from furniture
- Heavy pieces of furniture can cause dents and scratches to vinyl flooring so use felt or cotton furniture pads for legs (rubber could mark or stain the vinyl). These are attached to the bottom of the legs and will spread the weight, preventing dents, scratches and scuffs.
- If you rearrange your furniture on a regular basis, use furniture glides, small discs that attach to the bottom of furniture legs. They protect vinyl floors in the same way as furniture pads but also make it easier to move the furniture.
How to care for vinyl flooring
All vinyl flooring benefits from ongoing maintenance. This should take the form of regular sweeping or vacuuming, and mopping for heavier dirt. Avoid using a vacuum cleaner with a beater bar as this could scratch the vinyl. Establishing a consistent care and cleaning pattern, will extend the life of your vinyl, as dirt or spillages that are left to sit on the vinyl could penetrate the joins and degrade the vinyl.
What to avoid when caring for vinyl floors
- Avoid abrasive cleaning products that could scratch the floor’s surface.
- Do not use a steam cleaner as this will loosen the adhesive over time. We recommend the Karcher hard floor cleaner.
- High heels can leave indentations in the vinyl, so always wear indoor shoes with smooth soles on your floors.
- Keep floors dry at all times – when mopping, dry thoroughly when you have finished, as excessive water could have an adverse effect on the adhesive if left unchecked.
How to clean vinyl floors
Even with regular maintenance, your vinyl flooring will need the occasional deep clean. Seamless floors like our Pawsafe Commercial range which is supplied on the roll, is tough enough to cope with regular deep cleaning whereas the Pawsafe Domestic range and our luxury vinyl range should only be deep cleaned when stubborn marks appear that cannot be removed with routine mopping. For more detailed help and advice for vinyl floor cleaning, our vinyl floor cleaning blog has lots of articles to help.
If you have any questions about cleaning our pet friendly vinyl floors, contact us by email at info@floorsforpaws.com or give the team a call on 01522 300218.
