Luxury vinyl planks are the most expensive vinyl flooring among all options. So, protecting them from scratches is significantly essential. But the scratched vinyl floor looks dull. It is effortless if you know how to protect vinyl plank flooring from scratches.
Vinyl planks are a robust vinyl flooring solution. That is why saving them from scratches is more accessible than other types of vinyl flooring. Still, your awareness and continuous attention are required to keep your vinyl planks free from scratches.
I have been in the real estate business for the last 20 years. I have installed vinyl planks in numerous houses. In this article, I will share all the secrets to fighting against scratches in LVP (luxury vinyl plank) flooring. I will also teach you how to get scratches off luxury vinyl flooring.
9 Sure Practices To Protect Vinyl Plank Flooring From Scratches:
Saving the vinyl plank floor from scratches is, at the same time, easy and difficult. Vinyl floor scratch repair is easy because it does not require extra skill, time, or investments. It is difficult because you have to keep doing it every day around the year.
It is even more complex in the basement area, where you keep all sorts of sharp and heavy objects. Here is the list of the practices that I am sure will help to scratch proof vinyl flooring:
1. Lift Heavy Furniture Before Moving Them:
Moving around heavy furniture is a troublesome job. Every time you do that, you will feel the same tense. Still, if you want to save the vinyl plank from scratches, you must never forget that you cannot drag heavy furniture over the vinyl plank floor.
Heavy furniture is considered the biggest threat to vinyl flooring protection. They are most dangerous when carried over the vinyl planks without being lifted. You can use sliders and furniture protectors to protect vinyl plank flooring from heavy furniture.
Get help from others or use forearm forklift straps or furniture lifters. But never drag down heavy furniture over vinyl plank flooring.
2. Regularly Apply Protective Coating:
Never underestimate the power of protective coating. Any kind of vinyl flooring is incomplete if you are not applying a protective coating over them.
Apart from other functionalities, protective coating saves your vinyl plank floor from scratches. It works as a shield against scratches. Felt furniture pads X-protector is the best floor protector for vinyl plank flooring.
When any sharp or heavy object gets in contact with the floor, the coating takes the scratch itself and saves the costly vinyl plank floor.
Use an effective protective coating over the vinyl planks and be vigilant to notice any scratch on the protective coating. Take immediate action to recover the protective coating. You can hide/cover up scratch in vinyl plank flooring by applying wax evenly.
3. Use Slides And Glides:
Slows and glides are a simple but wonderful invention to protect the vinyl plank floor. Both are used at the bottom of heavy furniture to make them bearable for vinyl flooring solutions.
Slides or glides are cheap and easy to use. Do not hesitate to attach them with all your house’s heavy furniture and utilities.
Slides are attached with adhesives, and glides must be hammered into the furniture. All the wooden furniture can be made safe for vinyl planks by attaching glides. All other heavy objects can be made harmless with slides.
4. Clean Vinyl Planks Regularly:
The durability of vinyl plank floors diminishes when you let layers of dirt and dust take refuge over them. The chemical structure of vinyl planks gets compromised and becomes weak when they come into constant contact with dirt.
A weak vinyl plank receives scratches much easier. The solution is straightforward. You have to clean the vinyl plank floor regularly and consistently. If you can make it a habit, it is a straightforward job.
Regularly vacuum-clean and mop vinyl planks. Do it more frequently if there is high traffic in the floor area. Call a professional for a deep clean after every six months.
5. Avoid The Rolling Casters:
Rolling casters – the small rotating wheels at the legs of some chairs, tables, and trolleys pose a great risk of scratching on a vinyl floor. I would suggest not using them over vinyl plank floors at all.
If you have to use rolling casters anyways, place a floor mat over the place where the rolling casters can move. Over vinyl planks, rolling casters create the ugliest scratches.
6. Use Doormats:
If you do not use a doormat already, you will be surprised to know how helpful it can be in fighting against scratches. They work like a gatekeeper for small particles that can cause scratches.
With the sole of our shoes, we bring home a lot of particles like small bricks, rocks, etc. They may not look that harmful, but they can cause severe scratches on the vinyl planks when pressed hard over them.
Ensure all the vinyl plank floor area is covered with doormats at every entry point. Designer doormats will even enhance the aesthetics of your house.
7. Separate Playroom For Children:
If you notice the children’s toys in the house, you will see most of them have sharp and pointy edges. This is very alarming for vinyl planks.
Most of the time, children will want to play with their toys on the family room floor. Randomly they throw their pointy toys with force onto the floor, resulting in unwanted scratches on the vinyl planks.
The solution is to prepare a separate playroom or play area for the children. Decorate the space with vibrant colors and different toys. The children of the house will thank you for that. So will the vinyl plank floor.
8. Keep The Sharp Shoes Out:
You will find many shoes which have a very tough bottom. Some of them even have sharp spikes for a better grip. And there are sharp, high heels!
All of the above can cause big scratches on the vinyl planks. The solution is a bit impolite.
To ensure scratch resistant vinyl flooring, politely ask your guests to leave their shoes outside. I am sure they will start understanding your stance after a while.
9. Use Floor Rugs:
Using floor rugs will be perfect for vinyl flooring protection. Floor rugs can be great decor for the living room. At the same time, they can be a lifesaver for your vinyl plank floor.
You can lay floor rugs in the high-traffic corners, under heavy furniture, or chairs and tables in the dining space. This will ensure that the underneath vinyl plank floor will be spared from scratches.
4 Steps To Remove Scratches/Scuffs From Vinyl Plank Flooring:
Your favorite vinyl plank flooring can still get scratched despite all the precautions and good practices. There is a remedy for the scratch if it is not too deep. Following these four easy steps, you can fix scratched vinyl floor easily.
Step 1: Clear Dirt And Dust
Before you can start removing the scratch from the vinyl plank flooring, you have to get all the dirt and dust away from the scratched area.
First, vacuum-clean the area for all the loose dirt and dust. Then use a mild detergent-mixed warm water solution to mop the scratched floor area.
When you are satisfied with the cleanliness of the damaged area, leave it to get dried up.
Step 2: Rub Sandpapers Over The Scratch
You will need sandpapers of three types of sandpapers with different densities of grits. Get sandpapers of P300, P500, and P800 grit.
Start making the scratch smooth with the sandpaper with low-dense grit, which is P300. Gently rub the sandpaper in the direction of the scratch only.
After a while, use the sandpaper with medium-dense grit, which is P500. Now rub the scratched area in a circular motion. You will notice the wax layer getting off the floor.
Finally, use sandpaper with high-dense grit. Rub it with a little force in a circular motion. Do not stop until you are sure that the scratched area is as smooth as the rest of the vinyl plank floor.
Step 3: Clear The Mess
After the rigorous sanding, you will notice a lot of debris on the floor. Again vacuum-clean the space and mop the floor area with a warm solution of water and detergent. Wait until the area is dried up after the moping.
Step 4: Apply Wax
When the floor is dried, you will notice that the scratch is gone. But something is off in the previously scratched area. They are not shining like the other parts of the floor.
While rubbing the floor area with sandpapers, the protective coating of the floor also came off, along with the scratch. Now you have to wax the damaged area to make it look similar to the other parts of the vinyl plank floor.
Take a little wax on a clean and dry cloth and gently apply it to the damaged floor area. Stop polishing the area when it shines like the whole vinyl plank floor. Give the previously damaged area rest for two hours.
3 Mistakes To Avoid When Cleaning Vinyl Plank Flooring
Vinyl plank flooring comes with a protective layer on top which helps to prevent scratches and stains. However, a few cleaning mistakes can damage the layer, exposing the vinyl floor to damage. Take a look at the mistakes you must avoid when cleaning vinyl plank flooring.
- Do Not Use Abrasive Brushes
One of the most common mistakes that homeowners make is to clean the flooring with highly abrasive brushes. Some stains are often stubborn and require a good cleaning routine. In cases like these, rely on baking soda and vinegar, and scrub the floor with non-abrasive sponges or brushes. Using abrasive brushes will damage the protective layer and leave scratches.
- Avoid The Steam Cleaner
Mopping or wiping the floor of a big house can be tiring and boring. And many people prefer to rely on a steam cleaner for effortless and fast cleaning. However, this equipment is not suitable for vinyl plank flooring. The hot temperature from the cleaner can cause the vinyl floor to lose shape or distort.
- Prevent The Use Of Ammonia Or Bleach
Many people often rely on chemical cleaners to clean the vinyl flooring of their homes. Oftentimes, these cleaners contain decent amounts of ammonia or bleach. Using these chemical cleaners can often damage the protective layer of the flooring layer. And this damage will expose the floor to stains and scratches.
Related Questions:
What Can You Use On Vinyl Flooring?
Vinyl flooring is quite durable and gives your home an aesthetic look. Keeping the vinyl flooring clean is a must to maintain its beauty. However, not all materials or products can be used on vinyl floors. There are quite a few commercial cleaners available that are suitable for vinyl plank flooring.
You can also rely on homemade cleaners. Apple cider vinegar diluted with water can be a great cleaner for flooring. And for tough stains, rely on vinegar and baking soda.
Can You Use Latex Backed Rugs On Vinyl Plank Flooring?
The use of rugs or carpeting the entire floor is a great idea for preventing damage to vinyl plank flooring. However, when it comes to rugs, make sure to pay attention to the material underneath. Rubber or latex-backed rugs are not suitable for use on vinyl floors.
The reason behind this is that these materials react with the chemicals of the flooring materials. And this reaction causes the vinyl flooring to stain permanently, ruining the entire floor.
Can You Seal Luxury Vinyl Flooring?
Luxury vinyl flooring is a great way of giving your floor a beautiful look without emptying your pockets. But this flooring requires proper cleaning and maintenance to prevent damage, scratches, and so on. Sealing luxury vinyl flooring is an amazing way of making sure that the damage is minimal.
There are several sealants available in the market for luxury vinyl flooring. Make sure that you choose the right sealant for the material. Cover the flooring with these sealants to seal the flooring from damage.
Is Vinyl Plank Scratch-Proof Flooring?
Vinyl planks, especially luxury vinyl planks, are resistant to scratches. That means they put up a good fight against scratches. But they are not scratch-proof. If you search, you can find some scratch-resistant vinyl flooring, which is slightly expensive.
To ensure the most scratch-resistant vinyl plank flooring, you still need to take all kinds of cautionary measures. Regular maintenance and care will be beneficial to protect vinyl flooring from scratches.
Is It Easy To Protect Your Vinyl Plank Flooring From Scratches?
Compared to other types of vinyl flooring solutions, it is easier to protect vinyl plank flooring from scratches. This is because the chemical structure of vinyl planks is more rigid than other vinyl materials. The methods and practices to protect vinyl planks and other vinyl flooring are almost the same. You need to be aware and cautious all the time.
You must prohibit touching heavy and sharp objects on a vinyl plank floor. You must use furniture protectors, doormats, and floor rugs. You must avoid rolling casters, children’s toys, and spiky shoes from vinyl plank floors to save them from scratches. A good quality protective coating is also very helpful in preventing possible scratches on a vinyl plank floor.
Can You Repair Vinyl Plank Flooring Scratches?
The process to repair LVP scratch from vinyl plank floors is not as hard as it sounds. You can do it yourself. Removing scratches from vinyl planks involves three main procedures. The first one is, cleaning the scratched area thoroughly with a vacuum cleaner and warm detergent-based water solution.
Then you need sandpapers of three types of grit density. They are P300, P500, and P800. You have to start with the less dense sandpaper and finish with the highly-dense one. The sandpapers get scratches out of vinyl plank floor and make it smooth. After removing the scratch, you need to clean the mess from the floor and apply wax to get the protective coating back.
Does Vinyl Plank Flooring Scratch Easily?
It depends on the floor you’re choosing. If you decide on cheap vinyl flooring, it will become scratchy easily. But if you select rigorous and high-quality plank can protect against scratches. Deep scratch in vinyl floor is quite common if the quality is low.
Fortunately, there is a perfect solution to remove deep scratches. You can use wax sticks to repair the deep curvy lines. It is considered the best method for removing scratches from vinyl flooring. This is the best vinyl plank scratch remover method.
How To Replace Deeply Scratched Vinyl Planks?
First, identify which planks are affected by the scratch. Then you have to remove them from the floor. First, try to remove them with a scraper. If the adhesive is too strong, you must use a hammer, pry bar, and chip to remove the damaged vinyl planks. To know the vinyl plank flooring chip repair process, watch this.
You can also rely on vinyl plank flooring repair kit. Now get new vinyl planks for the open space on the floor. The new vinyl planks must be the same size and outlook as the damaged planks. Now place the new planks in their exact location. Do not forget to apply adhesive or putty for vinyl flooring to the new vinyl planks appropriately. Finally, wax the new planks and let them rest for 2 hours.
Which Is More Scratch Resistant, Luxury Vinyl Plank Or Laminate Flooring?
So far, fighting scratches is concerned. Vinyl planks do much better than laminate floors. With a good protective coating, the vinyl plank can surprise you with its toughness.
That is why vinyl flooring is installed in most houses that have pets with paws. Also, choosing the laminate one is sufficient if you don’t like vinyl plank flooring.
Does Vinyl Flooring Tear Easily?
Whether vinyl flooring tears easily or not depends on the quality of the vinyl. Usually, sensational vinyl flooring lasts long and is extremely durable. But poor quality vinyl worn-out in no time.
You can also rely on floor protectors for vinyl plank flooring. So it is advisable to choose high-quality flooring instead low. Don’t look at money. Look at the quality.
Final Words:
You cannot protect your luxury vinyl plank tile flooring from scratches all by yourself. All other house residents need to be the same kind of aware and alert to do it. It is always a good practice to involve all the family members in adopting and implementing plans to save your vinyl plank flooring.
Use WearMax scratch concealer for luxury vinyl tile (LVT) flooring, as it is the top-notch vinyl flooring scratch remover. Finally, don’t forget to repair the gouge in the vinyl flooring to make it perfect.
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