Vinyl floor aftercare

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.

How to clean sheet vinyl floors

dog owners guide to cleaning sheet vinyl

A guide to cleaning vinyl sheet flooring and what to avoid using on them to maintain their appearance.

Vinyl flooring today can be found in a variety of domestic and commercial settings, from private households to clinical settings and even hospitality. Is the care and maintenance needed the same for every setting? Here we look in particular at pet-friendly vinyl sheet flooring when used in a commercial environment.

What is vinyl sheet flooring?

As the name implies, vinyl sheet flooring is supplied on the roll, just like traditional carpet and is supplied in your preferred length.

Vinyl sheet flooring for commercial premises

There are many features of sheet vinyl flooring that makes it the ideal flooring solution for commercial premises. In particular, sheet flooring can cover an area with no seams, or very few, depending on the width of the roll. This in turn means the flooring cannot be penetrated by water or moisture, rendering it completely water resistant.

Maintaining vinyl sheet flooring

As with LVT flooring, vinyl sheet flooring is extremely low maintenance and requires nothing more than regular vacuuming or sweeping. It goes without saying that spillages should be dealt with as soon as they occur and in general, flooring in commercial settings needs the same maintenance as that in a family home.

Deep cleaning vinyl sheet flooring

The difference between LVT and sheet flooring is more marked when it is time to deep cleaning. Settings such as veterinary practices, dog daycare centres, and canine cafes can experience high volumes of canine traffic and as such are the perfect breeding ground for germs and bacteria and will require much more frequent, thorough cleaning. As seamless flooring is easy to mop and is impenetrable to liquid and moisture when professionally installed, it is durable enough to withstand regular deep cleaning where necessary.  Simply mop with a recommended cleaning solution or, if you and your clients prefer a more natural option, tackle stubborn marks and stains with a paste of baking soda and water before mopping with a solution of one cup of white vinegar in one gallon of warm water.

Can you use a steam mop on vinyl sheet flooring?

The quick answer to this is no! Many people think that the seamless nature of vinyl sheet flooring  makes it suitable for steam cleaning. However it is not the risk of moisture and steam penetrating the joins that is a risk to the flooring. The high temperatures that steam cleaners and mops get to, can cause adhesive to melt and can compromise the surface of the flooring, allowing the steam to penetrate the vinyl and damage the interior layers.

Other things to avoid on sheet vinyl floors

Do not use abrasive scourers that will damage the surface of the vinyl.

Extremely hot water should not be used – warm water only is suitable for mopping vinyl floors.

Wax products – these leave a residue on the surface of the flooring which can be difficult to remove without causing damage.

Avoid leaving newly cleaned floors wet – simply dry with a clean microfibre mop.

Vinyl sheet flooring from Floors for Paws

We supply sheet vinyl flooring as part of the Pawsafe Commercial range. Ideal for premises that experience a lot of four-legged visitors, the flooring has been endorsed by CAM (Canine Arthritis Management) as it offers excellent slip resistance and maximum grip for dogs that may be unsteady when standing or walking, due to age or conditions such as canine arthritis. The range features a thicker than average wear layer for extra comfort too. For our two-legged customers, the Pawsafe Commercial range is offered in a selection of wood- and stone-effect designs to add a domestic aesthetic to business premises.

To see for yourself, why not order up to three free samples? Or give our sales team a call on 01522 300218 to find out more.

How to keep pet-friendly flooring clean

Dog owner vaccuuming floor

How do you keep pet-friendly flooring clean? Our guide has all the answers you need.

Here at Floors For Paws, we make a clear distinction between pet-proof and pet-friendly flooring and what the differences are. We believe that while flooring can be pet-proof, i.e. able to withstand wear and tear, scratch resistant, waterproof and low maintenance, it isn’t necessarily pet-friendly or, in other words, kind to our pets. So, we have developed three separate ranges of vinyl flooring that is dog-proof and dog-friendly, manufactured from quality materials. But what is the best way to keep this pet-friendly flooring clean?

Vinyl flooring requires regular maintenance

Adopting a regular maintenance schedule will go a long way to keeping the vinyl floor looking its best and will prevent it from becoming dull and tired.

Spills and stains – these should be dealt with immediately and not allowed to sit on the vinyl. Spillages should be wiped up and stains removed with a damp mop

Do not allow dust and debris to build up – get into the habit of sweeping or vacuuming a vinyl floor regularly, and always prior to mopping.

Regular mopping – if the steps above are followed, your vinyl floor will require nothing more than regular mopping with plain, warm water.

Where your flooring is exposed to high volumes of traffic, for example in commercial premises, it will need a deep clean; how often you deep clean the floor will depend on the amount of traffic, but there are steps you can take to reduce the amount of dirt being brought onto the floor in the first place.

How to minimise the risk of dirt on a vinyl floor

  • Positioning vinyl backed mats at points of entry will reduce the amount of dirt brought in on paws and feet. Avoid rubber-backed mats though as the rubber may react with the vinyl to leave marks.
  • Use of an effective entrance mat will reduce 70% of dirt ingress.
  • Protect the vinyl under the feet of heavy furniture with coasters, to reduce damage from scratches and dents which will attract dust and dirt.
  • Always wipe paws after walks.

How to clean vinyl floors

After vacuuming the floor, buff out any scuffs with a clean microfibre cloth. For stubborn stains, apply a paste of baking soda and water, rubbing it in gently until the stain disappears before wiping the residue off.

Then, using a microfibre mop and a solution of one cup of white vinegar in one gallon of warm water, mop the vinyl. For particularly dirty floors, add a drop of dishwashing liquid to the water. Make sure your mop is damp only and not dripping wet and replace the water as soon as it becomes too dirty, as often as necessary. Rinse the floor by mopping with plain water and always dry the floor afterwards to prevent moisture entering any joins in the vinyl.

Things to avoid when cleaning vinyl flooring

  • Floor polish – this will damage vinyl.
  • Abrasive scourers – they will damage the surface of the floor, and remove the shiny appearance.
  • Steam cleaners – damage can be caused by the steam and heat which in turn could invalidate any warranties.

Vinyl flooring is low maintenance but it does require a regular cleaning regime to ensure it looks its best for as long as possible.

Pet-friendly vinyl flooring from Floor For Paws

Our choice of pet-friendly vinyl flooring is suitable for domestic and commercial properties and consists of:

Pawsafe Commercial range

Sheet vinyl on a roll, our Pawsafe Commercial range is designed for commercial premises and requires no or very few joins when installed, providing an impenetrable surface ideal for veterinarian clinics, day care centres and pet-friendly cafes and restaurants. Choose three free samples using our sample picker to see the choice available.

Luxury vinyl range

Choose from stone-effect tiles or wood-effect planks in our Luxury Vinyl range. This durable and attractive flooring is both practical and stylish. Click here to see the available options and to pick your three free samples.

Pawsafe Domestic range

Supplied in a selection of plank sizes, the Pawsafe Domestic range offers a wide selection of designs to choose from, and is ideal for domestic settings. Use the sample picker to explore the designs available and to choose up to three to see for yourself.

For any questions about how to keep your pet-friendly flooring clean, call us on 01522 300218 or send us an email to info@floorsforpaws.com

How to clean vinyl floors – a guide for pet owners

Dog and cleaning products

Luxury vinyl flooring is a popular option for homes but how should you clean it and what should you avoid? Our helpful guide will help you keep your vinyl flooring looking beautiful.

Regular maintenance of luxury vinyl flooring

All vinyl flooring requires regular cleaning and maintenance to keep it looking its best. If the flooring is not well cared for, it will look dull and tired. The following tips are recommended:

  • Vacuum or sweep vinyl flooring regularly, and always before mopping.
  • Deal with spillages and stains straightaway. Wipe up any spills as soon as they occur and deal with stains with a damp mop; stubborn stains can be tackled with a paste of baking soda mixed with water. Gently rub the paste into the stain until it disappears and rinse away the paste residue thoroughly.
  • Mop regularly with a damp mop and plain water.

Deep cleaning vinyl flooring

How often you deep clean your vinyl flooring will depend on foot and paw traffic! After vacuuming or sweeping the floor as usual, check for scuff marks – these can usually be buffed out with a damp microfibre cloth. For hard to reach places (along skirting boards for example) use a soft damp brush, a baby’s toothbrush is fine, and baking powder paste. Remember to remove any remaining paste.  Mop the floor with a microfibre mop and a solution of white vinegar (one cup of white vinegar in one gallon of warm water). If you like suds, or if the flooring is particularly grubby, add a couple of drops of washing up liquid to the solution. Your mop should be damp, not dripping wet, and you should replace dirty water with a fresh solution as often as necessary. Always rinse the floor well after cleaning, with plain water and a mop, and always dry the floor thoroughly to reduce the risk of moisture penetrating any seams in the vinyl.

Dos and don’ts for maintaining your vinyl flooring

Do:

  • Use a vinyl backed doormat at entrances to reduce the amount of dirt and debris being brought onto the flooring from outside. Rubber backed mats are not recommended as they can cause a reaction with the vinyl that may leave marks.
  • Use vinyl coasters/floor protectors under furniture legs to prevent damage such as scratches or dents.
  • Lift furniture when moving it.
  • Keep pets’ claws well-trimmed.
  • Wipe pet paws thoroughly after walks.

Don’t:

  • Use floor polish on vinyl flooring – it will damage the floor.
  • Use abrasive cleaners or stiff brushes – they can remove the shine and damage the surface of the vinyl.
  • Leave freshly cleaned floors wet.
  • Use a steam cleaner on vinyl flooring – the heat and moisture will cause damage and may invalidate your warranty.
  • Drag heavy furniture across vinyl flooring – it will cause scrapes and tears.
  • Wear high heels, particularly heels that come to a point like stilettos.

Once luxury vinyl flooring becomes damaged, it has to be replaced so following these simple steps will keep your flooring in tip top condition for as long as possible.

Our range of luxury vinyl flooring is available in wood effect vinyl floor planks and in stone effect luxury vinyl tiles so why not order some free samples today and see which you prefer? For any questions on how to clean vinyl flooring, our experienced sales team is available to help on 01937 830948 or by email at info@floorsforpaws.com