What's the Maintenance of Luxury Vinyl?

Will my luxury vinyl plank scratch?

While Luxury Vinyl Plank is known for being durable, it can be damaged. Dull or scratched luxury vinyl flooring is unattractive, and will certainly ruin the illusion as well. Preventing scratches and maintaining the shine are therefore important parts in caring for your floor.

How to clean Luxury vinyl plank?

Sweeping the floor daily with a soft broom is one of the best ways to prevent dirt buildup and there prevent scratches and dulling. You can also use a vacuum without a beater bar. Mop occasionally to remove more dirt or stains. Use plain water if possible; if you need to use a stronger cleaner, mix some mild detergent with warm water and mop with the solution, then rinse the floor with a second mop and plain water, since the soap can dull the floor. Never use abrasive cleaners, as these can scratch vinyl.

Which cleaning products are safe to use on my Ferma Luxury Vinyl floors?

We recommend the Poly Care products. For more information, please check: http://www.polycare.com/

How to repair Luxury Vinyl Plank?

• Locate the nearest wall that is parallel to the planks.
• Pry the baseboard and remove the molding.
• Lift the end of the luxury vinyl plank that is closest to the wall, and pull it out damaged area. Remove the damaged vinyl section.
• Click in the new Luxury Vinyl Planks, and replace the rest of vinyl back to the wall. Insert the end of each plank into the previous one, and push it down and back to fit them together.
• Replace the molding to cover the expansion gap once you get back to the wall.

Will sunlight affect my luxury vinyl plank?

Unfortunately, most types of flooring are susceptible to damage from the sun. Over time, Luxury Vinyl planks can fade in direct sunlight. It’s recommended that you draw the curtains shut to protect your flooring during times of heavy sunlight.

Can I rugs or mats on my Ferma Luxury Vinyl Planks?

Yes, we recommend non-staining vinyl-backed mats or woven rugs. Adding an appropriate rugs or mats to the entrance of any room with a vinyl floor can do a lot of prevent problems, particularly if the entrance leads to the outside. Dirt acts as an abrasive and can both scratch or dull the surface of the floor, so a mat or rug will prevent dirt from entering the room. Your shoes can come into contact with many damaging chemicals during the day without you being aware of it, such as pesticides or asphalt tar, and a mat will prevent these from transferring as well.           

We do not recommend the use of rubber- or latex-backed mats, as these can have a negative chemical interaction with the floor.

Do I need to wax my Ferma Flooring Luxury Vinyl floor?

No, you don’t need to.

How do I remove dried adhesive from my new Luxury Vinyl Planks flooring without harming it?           

It would have been a relatively easy task to use a cloth dampened with water to remove wet adhesive from your flooring. However, now that the adhesive is dry, a cloth dampened in mineral spirits will have to be used to remove it. The areas where the adhesive was removed should then immediately be rinsed clean with water.

What kind of protectors do I need to put the bottom of my chairs/furniture?

In order to prevent indentations and scratches, provide plastic or other non-staining cups with flat under surfaces not less than 2” (5 cm) width for the legs of all furniture or appliances. On smaller diameter chair legs, use non-staining protectors that are the same size as the chair leg. Furniture with casters should have three (3) to five (5) wheels. The casters should be made of a non-staining surface and be a minimum of ¾” (1.9 cm) wide.

I have scuff marks on my luxury vinyl flooring. How to remove?

• Erasers: For smaller scuff marks, try using a regular pencil eraser. Rub the spot firmly until the scuff mark disappears. Be sure to sweep up any remaining eraser shaving as they can cause their own stains if left unattended. Some companies now make special eraser-type products for this purpose. One such product that works well on scuff marks is the Mr. Clean Magic Eraser, generally available wherever cleaning products are sold. However, a Magic Eraser can remove the finish from some types of floors, so be sure to test it in a small hidden area first.
• Tennis Shoe: For larger scuff marks, try using the rubber sole of a tennis shoe. Press your hand into the shoe, and rub the spot firmly with the heel. If this is uncomfortable, or you feel you are not exerting enough pressure, place your foot inside the shoe and rub again with a circular, grinding motion.
• Tennis Ball: For larger areas of scuff marks, take a plain tennis ball, carefully cut a small “X” (about ¼”) into the top. To avoid injury, DO NOT hold the ball in your hand as you cut it, but rather place it on a firm surface or vise grip. Insert the top of a broom handle into the “X” and, using the tennis ball end of the broom, rub the scuff marks with the tennis ball.
• Baking Soda Paste: This is one of the tricks if normal techniques don’t seem to work. Mix about 2 tablespoons of baking soda with warm water to make a smooth paste (not runny). Using a soft cloth, scrub with the paste to remove the scuff mark. Wipe the scuff mark. Wipe the area with a clean damp cloth and wipe dry.
• Lighter Fluid: The second trick is to dampen a soft cloth with lighter fluid and rub the spot with the cloth. Wipe the area with a clean damp cloth and dry. Always exercise caution when using lighter fluid. It is flammable and toxic, and should not come in contact with skin or eyes.
• Toothpaste: The third trick is to use a clean cloth, rub a small amount of toothpaste on the scuff mark, using firm, circular motions. Wipe areas with a clean, damp cloth and dry thoroughly.
• WD-40: The fourth trick is to use a little WD-40 onto a soft cloth or paper towel and rub the scuff mark gently. Wipe area with a clean, damp cloth and dry thoroughly.
• Over-The-Counter: There are products on the market specifically designed for removing scuff marks and other tough stains, which are safe to use on most types of flooring (i.e.Goo Gone). ALWAYS check the label to ensure that the product is safe for the type of flooring you have. Make sure you follow all manufacturer directions.

Reference:

http://homeguides.sfgate.com/keep-vinyl-flooring-shiny-scratches-77030.html

http://homeguides.sfgate.com/repair-floating-vinyl-flooring-61817.html

http://www.americasfloorsource.com/12-things-you-need-to-know-before-buying-vinyl-flooring/

http://www.armstrong.com/flooring/faqs-luxury-vinyl.html

http://www.tarkettna.com/Portals/0/ResidentialLVT/LVTFAQ.pdf

http://www.howtocleanstuff.net/how-to-remove-scuff-marks-from-flooring/