If you’ve recently installed vinyl plank flooring in your home, you may wonder what products are safe for use to keep it beautiful. As a flooring material that combines the charm of natural wood with durability, vinyl plank offers the best of both worlds for any home. But like any floor, it needs regular cleaning and care to maintain its appearance.
In our experience, one of the best floor care brands is Bona. But can you use Bona products on vinyl plank floors? We did some research to find out.
So, keep reading to find out what we learned about safely using Bona cleaners and sealers on vinyl plank flooring.
What is Vinyl Plank Floors?
Before we get into the nitty gritty of floor cleaning, let’s make sure we all understand what exactly vinyl plank flooring is.
Vinyl plank flooring, also called luxury vinyl plank (LVP), provides the look of real hardwood or stone floors but with added durability and water resistance. The planks are made from PVC vinyl, click together, and float over the subfloor without glue or nails.
Vinyl plank flooring consists of four layers:
- A clear top layer that protects against wear and scratches. Many have aluminum oxide, making them extra durable.
- A printed vinyl layer underneath that provides the wood or stone image to make it look authentic.
- A core inner layer that gives the planks their structure. This is usually limestone or polyvinyl chloride.
- A bottom backing layer that clicks together on installation.
There are two main types of vinyl plank flooring:
Rigid core vinyl plank: This consists of a dense limestone or vinyl core that makes it super durable.
WPC vinyl plank: has a core made from wood fibers and plastic. It has some flex and softness underfoot. This, of course, is suitable for bedrooms.
No matter the core type, vinyl plank resists scratches, stains, and moisture thanks to its resilient construction. But the top layer still needs gentle care and cleaning.
Using Bona Products on Vinyl Plank Floors
Now that we know the basics of vinyl plank flooring, let’s get back to the main question: can you use Bona products to clean vinyl plank floors?
After doing some reading on the Bona website and vinyl plank manufacturer sites, the answer is yes – Bona hardwood floor cleaners are safe for vinyl plank floors.
But there are a few tips to follow:
- Stick with Bona’s vinyl-friendly cleaners, not wax products that can leave a residue. Also, their Hardwood Floor Cleaner and Stone, Tile & Laminate Cleaners are great options.
- Always check your specific vinyl plank manufacturer’s care guidelines just in case. Make sure using Bona won’t affect the warranty.
- Use only a little Bona cleaner in your mop water. If not, too much can leave streaks on vinyl floors.
- Be sure to rinse the floors thoroughly after mopping up the cleaning solution. Rinsing prevents any sticky residue from building up.
How to Clean Vinyl Plank Floors with Bona Cleaner
First, sweep thoroughly or vacuum to remove any loose dirt or grit.
Then, fill your mop bucket with warm water and add a capful or two of Bona Hardwood Floor Cleaner.
Using a sponge mop or microfiber pad, mop over the floor gently but don’t saturate the planks.
Immediately go back over the floor with a clean towel to remove excess water. One thing is that vinyl plank can be sensitive to too much moisture.
Lastly, rinse the floor using clean water to remove any cleaner residue. This helps keep the floor from getting cloudy or sticky over time.
How To Protect and Maintain Vinyl Plank Floors
Along with regular mopping, there are a few other things you can do to protect your vinyl plank flooring:
- Use area rugs in high-traffic zones to prevent wear and scuff marks.
- Applied UV window film to keep sunlight from fading or discoloring the floors near the windows.
- Put felt pads underneath all furniture legs. This keeps them from scratching the floor when moved.
- Keep pet nails trimmed nice and short. Your tabby cat can do some damage with her claws!
- Avoid scrubbing with anything abrasive or harsh chemicals that could damage the vinyl plank surface.
- Shake dirt off shoes before walking through the house. It keeps outside grit from scratching your floors.
- Reapply Bona Stone, tile & laminate floor Sealant every year or two. This adds a protective layer against spills, stains, and scuffs.
When to Call for Professional Help
You can take care of your vinyl plank floors using Bona products for routine cleaning. But sometimes, a problem pops up that requires a pro’s help:
- For a deep clean to keep floors fresh, having a professional service come in annually is a good idea. Their strong suction vacuums can also decrease dust and allergens.
- If a stubborn stain or sticky spot defies your cleaning efforts, calling a flooring specialist to tackle it is the best thing to do. They have tricks and tools you don’t have for problem spots.
- If your high-energy kids damage the vinyl planks, professionals can sand out scratches or replace planks much easier than you can DIY. So, the cost is worth ruining my floors!
- Having clean floors makes an impression before hosting parties or big events. For this, you can hire a pro to give the floor an intensive cleaning.
Bottom Line: Keep Your Vinyl Plank Looking New
To wrap up, we highly recommend vinyl plank flooring for any home. However, following the manufacturer’s instructions and using the right Bona products will keep vinyl plank floors looking fabulous for years of use. And with regular mopping, protective measures, and calling in pros when needed, you’ll enjoy vinyl plank’s natural beauty and durability for decades to come!
