How to Clean and Maintain Luxury Vinyl Plank Flooring
- May 7
- 5 min read
Updated: May 12
Congratulations on choosing LVP. You made a practical, intelligent decision — and part of what makes LVP such a good investment is that maintaining it correctly is genuinely simple. The problem is that 'simple' does not mean 'do whatever feels right.' A few surprisingly common cleaning mistakes can damage an LVP floor faster than years of foot traffic.
This guide tells you exactly what to do, exactly what not to do, and why — so your floors look as good in year ten as they did on installation day.
The Good News: LVP Is Forgiving
Luxury vinyl plank is one of the easiest flooring materials to maintain. It is non-porous — it does not absorb stains the way hardwood or grout does. It is waterproof — spills sit on the surface and wipe up cleanly. It does not require sealing, waxing, or periodic refinishing. For busy Lowcountry households where sandy feet and beach towels are a way of life, that low-maintenance profile is genuinely valuable.
What it does require: the right cleaning products and techniques. The wrong ones — and some of the most common floor cleaners are the wrong ones for LVP — can dull the finish, leave residue buildup, or, in extreme cases, permanently damage the wear layer.
Daily and Weekly Cleaning: The Right Routine
Step 1: Dry Cleaning First — Always
Before any wet cleaning, remove loose dirt, sand, and grit from the surface. Sand is the enemy of LVP's wear layer — not because it stains, but because it acts as an abrasive under foot traffic. A broom, dust mop, or vacuum (with the beater bar turned off — the rotating brush can scratch LVP) handles this effectively.
In Lowcountry homes where sand is a constant presence, this step is not optional. Getting into the habit of a daily dry pass — particularly near entry points — extends your floor's finish life dramatically.
Step 2: Damp Mop with the Right Product
For routine wet cleaning, a flat microfiber mop lightly dampened with the appropriate cleaning solution is all you need. The keyword: lightly. While LVP is waterproof, standing water in click-lock joints over time can cause issues. Damp mopping — not soaking — is the correct technique.
Products that work well on LVP:
Your LVP brand almost certainly has a recommended cleaner. This is always the safest choice. Manufacturer-recommended cleaner:
A few drops of plain dish soap in a bucket of warm water produce a gentle, effective LVP cleaner. Rinse the floor lightly after to prevent soap film buildup. Diluted dish soap:
Products specifically formulated for luxury vinyl plank — Bona Stone, Tile & Laminate Cleaner, or similar — are a reliable choice. Dedicated LVP cleaners:
For light cleaning between deeper sessions, plain warm water on a microfiber mop is perfectly adequate. Plain warm water:
⛔ What NEVER to Use on LVP: Steam mops — the heat degrades the wear layer and can cause warping. Wax or polish products — they build up on the surface and create a dull film. Oil soaps (Murphy's Oil Soap) — formulated for wood, leaves residue on vinyl. Abrasive scrubbers or steel wool — scratch the wear layer. Ammonia or bleach-based cleaners break down the finish over time. Vinegar — acidic; with repeated use, it degrades the factory finish. |
Dealing with Specific Stains and Spills in a Lowcountry Home
The Lowcountry creates some specific cleaning scenarios that are worth addressing directly:
Salt and Sand
The most common floor challenger in coastal SC homes. Sand is abrasive — sweep or vacuum it up before wet mopping, because mopping over sand grinds it into the wear layer. Salt residue from sea air or tracked-in water can be cleaned with a damp mop and mild dish soap; no special treatment required.
Sunscreen and Tanning Products
Welcome to beach house ownership. Sunscreen is oil-based and will smear on LVP if not addressed quickly. For fresh sunscreen spills: blot immediately with a clean cloth (do not rub), then clean the area with a small amount of dish soap on a damp cloth. For dried sunscreen: a small amount of rubbing alcohol on a cloth will cut through it without damaging the floor.
Pet Accidents
LVP's waterproofing means pet accidents do not penetrate the surface — but clean them up promptly to prevent odor and staining in the grout lines or edge joints. Clean with a pet-safe enzymatic cleaner or mild dish soap solution, rinse lightly, and dry.
Scuff Marks
Rubber-soled shoes often leave scuff marks on LVP — particularly black rubber. A small amount of WD-40 on a cloth will remove scuffs without damaging the surface. Wipe clean with a damp cloth afterward to remove any residue.
Grease and Cooking Oil
Dampen a cloth with a small amount of dish soap and apply it directly to the grease spot. Let it sit for 30 seconds, wipe clean, then rinse with a damp cloth. Do not use abrasive cleaners or scrub pads.
Protecting Your LVP: Prevention Is Easier Than Repair
Place mats at every exterior entry point. This single step removes more sand and grit than any cleaning routine. Entry mats:
Attach felt furniture pads to every piece of furniture that sits on the floor. Hard furniture legs dragging on LVP will scratch the surface, regardless of how hard the wear layer is. Furniture pads:
High heels concentrate weight on a tiny point and can dent even premium LVP. This is particularly relevant for rental properties. Avoid spike heels:
Extended UV exposure can fade LVP over time. Use window treatments in rooms with direct western or southern exposure during peak sun hours. Direct sunlight management:
LVP is designed for climate-controlled environments. In vacation homes that are left unoccupied for extended periods, maintain at least a moderate temperature range — extreme heat or cold causes LVP to expand and contract in ways that stress the click-lock joints. Temperature stability:
When Something Goes Wrong: Repair Options
One of LVP's genuine advantages over hardwood is that damaged sections can often be replaced without redoing the entire floor. Because LVP is installed as a floating floor with click-lock joints, individual planks can be removed and replaced — though this requires the original product to still be available (a good reason to order a small amount of overage and store it when you install).
For surface scratches that do not penetrate the wear layer, LVP repair kits with color-matched putty can address minor visible damage. For deeper scratches or damage to multiple planks: contact us, and we will assess whether spot replacement is feasible.
📦 Pro Tip — Order Overage: When we install your LVP, we always recommend ordering 10–15% overage and storing a box or two in your home. Products get discontinued, dye lots change, and having matching material available for a future repair is infinitely better than sourcing a close-enough match that is visibly different. |
Questions About Your Floors? We're Here.
Whether you are maintaining floors we installed or troubleshooting a floor from another source, our team at Charleston Design Center is happy to help. Come by our Mount Pleasant showroom or give us a call.