So this new construction house I have been overseeing the construction of has a floor cleaning issue I need some help on.
They used a good quality USA made LVP water resistant, not water proof product.
As the job has slowly progressed the flooring has been trekked on by many folks in and out of the home for at least 3 months. Not my idea. So it is not damaged, but damned dirty. A cursory cleaning did little to clean it. It could be damaged but think it just needs a good cleaning to bring it back. The builder has a mop bucket and think he is planning to mop it with water and some kind of a soap. Using lots of water seems like a bad idea. I am looking for a way to deep clean it. I need some first hand advice on how to clean it from months of construction dust and dirt. Suggestions? Thanks all.

Is it a floating LVP or glued to a slab?

floating

We use a shark steamer for our LVP.

Once we moved in we found a lot of adhesive had seeped between the joints and I spent two days with a gallon of laquer thinner and a rag with the windows open to get rid of it

I can’t imagine if it’s that hard to clean that it isn’t scratched. Why wouldn’t they have put paper down over it while still doing construction? In any case hopefully you can clean it and it’s not damaged. If I was the home buyer I wouldn’t be happy.

Yep, Builder has done some really good things. But There are some real head scratchers too.

I do not think a steamer is going to do it for cleaning this type of situation.

We damp mop our floating LVP flooring - not heavy on the water.

When we had ours installed the manufacturer's information explicitly stated not to use a (Shark) steamer.

I owned a flooring store for 35+ yrs.
We sold and installed LVP since it's inseption.
I would recommend using Armstrong's New Beginning. Directions
Do not flood the floor when using this product.
When you feel that the floor is clean, rinse the floor with Ammonia and water 1cup / gal water. Rinse water clean the floor is clean.
Buy 2 mops, 1 strip, 1 rinse. Using any soap product will leave a film. Soaps contain fats, fats are oil you don't want to do that.
Also, purchase the Armstrong at a flooring store not the grocerey or big box it's not the same.
Let the New Beginning work when applied.

Since construction is still going on and you clean it, you might insist the builder roll out some paper on the floors for protection.

Might ask the builder what his SOP is,

Here are some general instructions but it would be best to call the manufacturing company and find out what they suggest to clean it while maintaining the warranty on the floor.

The Link

LVP Care Guide

LVP flooring is manufactured for easy care, but there are a few important points to know before cleaning it.

Avoid using cleaners that contain ammonia, or mop-and-shine products that leave a film—this attracts soil

Stay away from liquid or paste wax, or commercial floor cleaners that are not labeled as safe for LVP flooring.

Choose mild cleaners like dishwashing liquid, diluted distilled white vinegar, or plain water.
The tools you select to remove dust and dirt should also be non-abrasive, like a microfiber wet/dry mop or a vacuum without a beater bar.
Never use steel wool or a stiff-bristled brush to scrub LVP flooring.

I wet mop my LVP floors, using water mixed with Armstrong vinyl floor cleaner. Just don't use a dripping wet mop and tons of water... wring it out most of the way before applying it to the floor.

Sounds like new floor time to me. I’d call the flooring manufacturer and find out what they’d want you to do to preserve the warranty. How many years of life of the finish have been lost because the contractor didn’t pit paper down? Not a chance I’d clean it myself. The contractor owns this 100%.

Don’t pay the contractor until it’s right. Also, don’t pay the contractor until you’re sure all his subs and suppliers have been paid.

The contractor that installed my LVP flooring told me to use acetone to remove stubborn dirt and glue from it.
I questioned that, knowing acetone is a very powerful solvent and will dissolve some types of plastics.
He insisted, so I tried it and it works very well.

I would still test it on a scrap or in a place not readily visible.

I have little doubt that some damage in the form of scuffing and scratches was done to the LVP, hopefully it's minimal. Whoever scheduled it to be installed is responsible for the new flooring. The best way is to not schedule installation it until after all the trades are finished. But if trades are going to be permitted to work on the new flooring, it must be well covered to protect it.
That's water over the dam now, at this point it needs cleaned (even if that means said scuffs/scratches will be revealed). I'd use ammonia and water with a scrub brush (probably twice) then mop with clean water and dry. Avoid using abrasive pads which can slightly dull the area where used.

Couple of tips re LVP, having installed it a few years ago on our sunroom.

It's very absorbent. If you drop something on it even a drop of water, you've got to get it up quickly. If you don't notice it until the next day it's likely to leave a stain. What's worse is any food that may drop. A little spaghetti sauce that's unnoticed will leave its mark for a while depending on how quickly you get it off.


Imagine sitting watching TV or reading, relaxing with your shoes off. If your feet are the least bit moist, your footprint will be obvious on the floor. Again, it's highly absorbent. We make it a point of using either a footstool or recliner. Socks help but not foolproof.

If I were the owner I'd consider this as a gift. Get rid of the damaged floor (it's never going to look as new) and research LVP, lots of information.

It's just the wife and I, if our kids were still here along with their dog I dread to imagine the possibilities.

Wish we knew then what we know now. Too late now.

quote:

Originally posted by RogB:
Couple of tips re LVP, having installed it a few years ago on our sunroom.

It's very absorbent. If you drop something on it even a drop of water, you've got to get it up quickly. If you don't notice it until the next day it's likely to leave a stain.....

Rog vinyl is not absorbent. But a liquid spill that that is left to evaporate will leave residue.

Am I the only one who finds the term "Luxury Vinyl Floor" a rather startling statement. Because Luxury it's not. It is actually a cheap imitation of a real hardwood floor and to be honest, CRAP. A good hardwood floor can last for centuries while a vinyl floor will start degrading at 10 years and require complete replacement in 20 years.

It's "luxury vinyl" in comparison to the earlier generations of cheap vinyl flooring. Think rolls of linoleum, or similar. No, it's not hardwood, but it's a big step up in quality from those.

Rogue has it correct. Yes it's not real wood but it is better than wood flooring in many ways. It's impervious to water, impervious to moisture from underneath, won't dent or scratch as easily, adds less thickness, and is generally easier to remove.

Peter 41692, Is this the right product to use on this LVP floor?

Thank you.


https://www.amazon.com/Armstro...sc=1#customerReviews

quote:

Originally posted by old rugged cross:
Yep, Builder has done some really good things. But There are some real head scratchers too.

I do not think a steamer is going to do it for cleaning this type of situation.

You've answered your question already. If steam will not clean it, rip it out an relay it, it's ruined.