Vinyl flooring is a beautiful, long-lasting and durable product that can withstand many years of use and some abuse.  But vinyl flooring is not invulnerable and can be permanently damaged if you don't care for it properly. 

• caring for your floor
• how to protect your floor from common abuses
• immediate after-installation care
• removal of common household stains and repair

Caring For Your Floor

To keep the lasting shine and fresh feel of your investment for as long as possible, we recommend that you...

DO...

• Wipe up spills as soon as possible. Remove dried spills with New Beginning® Floor Stripper and Cleaner on a white cloth.
• Wash your floor occasionally with Armstrong Once 'n Done® Floor Cleaner or an equivalent no-rinse floor cleaner.

DON'T...

• Do not use detergents, abrasive cleaners or "mop and shine" products - they may leave a dull film on your floor.
• Do not use paste wax or solvent-based polishes.
• Do not use a beater bar when vacuuming because it can visibly damage the floor surface.
• Do not use highly abrasive scrubbing tools.

Protection For Your Floor

Prevent possible damage to your new floor by following these suggestions...

When moving appliances or heavy furniture, lay a plywood or hardboard panel on your floor and "walk" the item across it. This protects your floor from scuffing and tears.

Use floor protectors under furniture to reduce indentation. As a general rule of thumb, the heavier the item, the wider the floor protector.  Be especially careful with furniture with metal feet.  These can cause deep indentations and rust stains.

Be careful with rolling casters. They can damage the floor. Therefore, we do not recommend them. If you choose to use them, the double-wheel type are best.

Place a walk-off mat at outside entrances to reduce the amount of dirt brought into your home.

We do not recommend the use of rubber or latex-backed mats because the chemical (antioxidant) used to keep the backing from becoming brittle can permanently stain your floor.  This is called "antioxidant staining". 

We suggest a non-staining vinyl-backed mat or a woven rug that is colorfast. Most of these products are identified "colorfast" by the manufacturer..

Back to top

After Installation

For 8 hours after seam application, protect the sealed seams on your flooring. Avoid walking on the seams and don’t move anything heavy onto the floor.  This will ensure the proper seam bond. If your seams are disturbed before they're dry, permanent damage may result.

Maintain room temperature at 65 degrees Fahrenheit for 48 hours after installation is completed. This assures proper curing, setting and bonding of products.

After 8 hours you can use a slightly damp sponge, cloth, or mop to wipe off the temporary black logo and manufacturer information on the face of the floor. To avoid staining, be careful not to wipe across any seams.

The adhesive under your floor needs time to thoroughly dry after installation. Therefore we recommend that you do not scrub or wash your floor for five days.

Stain Removal and Damage Repair

Vinyl flooring, though quite durable, is not immune to staining.  Many types of stains are removable, but some may not be. So be careful when using staining products around your floor. If spills occur, quick removal can make all the difference in protecting your floor. Keep in mind that professional products for cleaning and stripping are specific to manufacturers. So if you have a Mannington floor and try to clean it with Armstrong products , you might not get the result you are looking for and could do some damage. Always check with your floor care professional and test a scrap or unseen area before using strippers and cleaners in a visible spot.

NOTE:  Some cleaning products, such as mineral spirits, turpentine and alcohol, are flammable and possibly explosive!  Always READ and FOLLOW label directions for safe use!

Crayon

Rub the stain with mineral spirits or turpentine on a clean white cloth.  Scrub the area with manufacturer's floor stripper and cleaner and a nonabrasive white scrubbing pad, following instructions on the label.

Lipstick

Rub the stain with rubbing alcohol (isopropyl alcohol) on a clean white cloth.  If stain is still visible, rub the stain with mineral spirits* or turpentine on a clean white cloth. 

Scrub the area with manufacturer's floor stripper and cleaner and a nonabrasive white scrubbing pad, following instructions on the label.

Grape Juice/Wine

Scrub the area with manufacturer's floor stripper and cleaner and a nonabrasive white scrubbing pad, following instructions on the label.

Mercurochrome/Merthiolate

Scrub the area with manufacturer's floor stripper and cleaner and a nonabrasive white scrubbing pad, following instructions on the label.

Mustard

Mustard may not be completely removable from vinyl no-wax floors.

Scrub the area with manufacturer's floor stripper and cleaner and a nonabrasive white scrubbing pad, following instructions on the label.

Pen Ink

Inks may not be completely removable from vinyl no-wax floors.

Rub the stain with rubbing alcohol (isopropyl alcohol) on a clean white cloth.

If stain is still visible, rub the stain with mineral spirits or turpentine on a clean white cloth. 

Scrub the area with manufacturer's floor stripper and cleaner and a non-abrasive white scrubbing pad, following instructions on the label.

Permanent Marker

Permanent marker may not be completely removable from vinyl no-wax floors.

Rub the stain with mineral spirits or turpentine on a clean white cloth. 

If stain still shows, very carefully wipe with fingernail polish remover containing acetone on a clean white cloth.

If stain still shows, rub the area with rubbing alcohol (isopropyl alcohol) on a clean white cloth. 

Scrub the area with manufacturer's floor stripper and cleaner and a nonabrasive white scrubbing pad, following instructions on the label.

Asphalt Driveway Sealer/Shoe Polish

Asphalt products and shoe polishes may not be completely removable from vinyl no-wax floors.

Rub the stain with mineral spirits or turpentine on a clean white cloth.

If stain still shows, rub the area with rubbing alcohol (isopropyl alcohol) on a clean white cloth. 

Scrub the area with manufacturer's floor stripper and cleaner and a nonabrasive white scrubbing pad, following instructions on the label.

Hair Dye

Hair dyes may not be completely removable from vinyl no-wax floors.

Rub the stain with rubbing alcohol (isopropyl alcohol) on a clean white cloth.

If stain still shows, use mineral spirits or turpentine on a clean white cloth.

If stain still shows, very carefully wipe with fingernail polish remover containing acetone on a clean white cloth.

Scrub the area with manufacturer's floor stripper and cleaner and a non-abrasive white scrubbing pad, following instructions on the label.

Paint/Varnish

If paint stain is wet, wipe up the stain with water on a clean white cloth.

If paint stain is dry, carefully scrape residue with a thin spatula.

If stain still shows, rub the area with rubbing alcohol (isopropyl alcohol) on a clean white cloth.

If stain still shows, use mineral spirits or turpentine on a clean white cloth.

If stain still shows, very carefully wipe with fingernail polish remover containing acetone (follow use instructions on label) on a clean white cloth.

Scrub the area with manufacturer's floor stripper and cleaner and a nonabrasive white scrubbing pad, following instructions on the label.

Nail Polish

Very carefully wipe with fingernail polish remover containing acetone (follow use instructions on label) on a clean white cloth.

Rust

Apply manufacturer's floor stripper and cleaner to the stain and let it stand for five minutes. Scrub vigorously with a stiff-bristle brush or nonabrasive white scrubbing pad, wipe, rinse, and let dry.  If traces remain, rub with a soft cloth dipped in a solution of oxalic acid and water (1 part acid to 10 parts water).

NOTE: Please follow instructions and cautions on label, as oxalic acid is poisonous.

Cigarette Burns

The procedure depends on the exact construction of your floor. Call Straus Carpets for repair advice.

Black Heel Marks

Scrub the area with manufacturer's floor stripper and cleanerr and a nonabrasive white scrubbing pad, following instructions on the label.

If stain still shows, rub the area with a non abrasive cleaner.

If stain still shows, rub the area with rubbing alcohol (isopropyl alcohol) on a clean white cloth.

Back to top

Our appreciation to Armstrong for allowing us to excerpt their online guide on vinyl floor care for use on this site.