Over time, dirt, dust and other contaminants can wear down and damage flooring. It’s always a great idea to place a decent doormat or rug in front of doorways to catch as much grime as possible from getting into the rooms of your home.

Cleaning vinyl flooring is easy and relatively inexpensive. With consistent and proper care, you can maintain the flooring’s attractive appearance over a long period of time.

You can always use plain hot water and a sponge mop if nothing else. Before doing any wet mopping, you’ll want to vacuum or dry mop the floor to remove surface dirt, dust and hair. Move the furniture; get into the corners and along the baseboards.

A great cleaner for vinyl or laminate flooring is a simple apple cider vinegar mix. The acidity of the vinegar helps take out dirt and grime without leaving a buildup of ingredients. (Mix one cup of apple cider vinegar with a gallon of hot water). Use a damp mop to clean, rinsing the mop frequently with hot water.

To disinfect as you clean, substitute white vinegar for the apple cider vinegar. If your floor is especially dirty, add a few drops of liquid dishwashing soap to the mixture. Mop once with the soap mixture, a second time with only vinegar and water and then a clean hot water mopping. (To add shine to the flooring add a few drops of baby oil to the vinegar/water solution).