How do I clean luxury vinyl plank floors?
Sweep or vacuum with a brushless vacuum to remove grit, then damp mop with a neutral-pH cleaner, wringing the mop well so water never sits in the joints. Blot spills at once, use rubbing alcohol on stubborn spots, and avoid ammonia, vinegar, abrasives, wax and soaking. Felt pads and entry mats protect the surface.
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By Kasra Taheri, Founder, LoclisPublished
Researched and drafted with AI, then checked claim by claim against the sources listed below before it was published. Prices and rules change; the dates beside each source say when it was last checked.
Step by step
Read when to stop and call a pro, further down this page, before you start.
Step 2: Mix a neutral-pH cleaner
Use a neutral-pH cleaner at the strength on its label, and avoid ammonia, vinegar and abrasive products.[2]
Step 3: Damp mop, never soak
Wring the mop well and clean a small area at a time, since soaking lets water migrate through the joints to the subfloor.[1]
Step 5: Rinse and dry
If rinsing is needed, dry the floor quickly with a fan.[2]
Step 6: Add protection
Fit felt protectors under furniture and put non-latex walk-off mats at entrances.[2]
Sweep, damp mop with a neutral cleaner, and do not soak it
The routine for luxury vinyl plank is simple: remove grit by sweeping or dust mopping, wipe up spills quickly, and wet clean now and then with a neutral-pH cleaner. Shaw's care guidance says exactly that: remove dirt and grit by sweeping or dust mopping, wipe up spills as quickly as possible, and avoid exposure to direct sunlight for extended periods.[2] The things to avoid are abrasive cleaners, ammonia, vinegar, harsh chemicals, a soaking-wet mop and wax or polish.
Weekly: dry clean first
Grit scratches vinyl faster than anything you spill on it, so dry clean first. Shaw recommends cleaning luxury vinyl weekly to prevent dirt buildup, and more often in high-traffic areas.[2] Sweep or dust mop, or vacuum with a brushless vacuum, since a floating-vinyl manufacturer recommends regular sweeping or vacuuming with a brushless vacuum.[1] A beater bar can scuff the surface.
Damp mop with a neutral cleaner
For the periodic wet clean, vacuum or dust first, then use a neutral-pH cleaner.[2] One manufacturer's routine is to damp mop weekly and use a small amount of neutral pH cleaner to lift dirt and buildup, with a white scrub pad for heavy deposits.[1] Wring the mop well. "Do not soak the floor as the water will migrate through the joints and lay on the subfloor, possibly causing condensation and moisture issues."[1] If you need to rinse, speed up drying with a fan.[2]
Spills and stubborn spots
Blot spills immediately with a clean white cloth or paper towel.[2] For spots that water and cleaner will not shift, rubbing alcohol (isopropyl alcohol) on a clean white cloth is the solvent Shaw names.[2] Test any product in a hidden spot first and follow the manufacturer's care guide for your particular plank.
What to keep off the floor
- Abrasive cleaners, ammonia, vinegar and harsh chemicals. Shaw says to avoid abrasive cleaners, ammonia-based products, vinegar-based products and harsh chemicals, as they can damage the luxury vinyl's surface.[2]
- Multi-surface or ammoniated cleaners. One manufacturer says not to use them.[1]
- Wax and one-step cleaners. Floors dulled by soaps, detergents, harsh chemicals, dressings, one-step cleaners or wax are treated as improper maintenance in that manufacturer's warranty terms.[1]
- Heavy-duty auto-scrubbers. The same guide discourages commercial, heavy-duty auto-scrubbers on solid vinyl.[1]
Protect it between cleanings
Use felt floor protectors under furniture, and wide load-bearing bases or rollers on heavy items: the heavier the object, the wider the protector should be.[2] Put walk-off mats at entrances, and choose mats without latex or rubber backings, which can discolour vinyl.[2] Avoid exposing the floor to direct sunlight for extended periods, with blinds or drapes if needed.[2]
Stop and call a pro if
- Planks are lifting, peaking or pulling apart. That is an installation or movement problem, not dirt; see why a vinyl plank floor separates.
- Water has got under the floor. Standing water, a dishwasher or fridge leak, or a musty smell means the subfloor needs checking.
- Stains and discoloration will not come out after you have followed the care guide. Check the warranty before trying anything stronger.
- You are planning to replace the floor because cleaning no longer helps. The installation steps and installed cost in Virginia cover what that involves.
Getting help in Virginia
If you are comparing floors for a wet room, read LVP or laminate in a kitchen, and for choosing an installer see how to choose a flooring installer. Browse more flooring answers or flooring pros near you.
If the floor needs more than cleaning, describe the job and licensed local installers will quote it.
Common questions
- Can I use vinegar and water on luxury vinyl plank?
- It is better not to. Shaw's guidance is to avoid abrasive cleaners, ammonia-based products, vinegar-based products and harsh chemicals, as they can damage the surface.[^shaw-vinyl] Use a neutral-pH cleaner instead.
- Can I steam mop LVP?
- Check your manufacturer's care guide first. The sources used here call for damp mopping with a neutral cleaner and warn against soaking, so heat and wet steam are not something to try without the maker's approval.
- How often should I clean LVP?
- Weekly is the recommended routine, with more frequent cleaning in high-traffic areas.[^shaw-vinyl] Sweep or dust mop in between, because grit does most of the scratching.
- How do I get a stubborn mark off vinyl plank?
- Blot fresh spills at once, then try a white scrub pad with neutral cleaner on heavy deposits.[^floating] For a spot that cleaner will not shift, rubbing alcohol on a clean white cloth is the solvent Shaw names.[^shaw-vinyl]
- Should I wax or polish luxury vinyl?
- No. One manufacturer treats dulling from soaps, detergents, dressings, one-step cleaners or wax as improper maintenance, and does not recommend a finish unless it is made for vinyl with a urethane wear surface.[^floating]
Sources
- [1] Residential D.I.Y. Floating Floor Installation Instructions (May 2015), Floating vinyl floor manufacturer's installation instructions, Lowe's product documents. Checked October 28, 2026.
- [2] Luxury Vinyl Care, Shaw Floors. Checked October 28, 2026.
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