What Are Gentle Detergents for Vinyl Floors?

Mild Detergents

• Mild detergents are recommended for cleaning vinyl. They can be difficult to identify, since many companies refuse to fully disclose the chemicals contained in their cleaners. In general, a mild detergent has a close to neutral pH and does not contain harsh chemicals like ammonia or bleach. Plain dish detergent designed for hand washing, for example, falls into the category of mild detergents, as do plain "no rinse" floor cleaning products.

Water

• Vinyl floors are designed to take a lot of abuse without a regular hard washing. Often, the only cleaning they require is a thorough sweeping and mopping with a bucket of warm water. The protective coating on the floor prevents spills from becoming stains as long as they are cleaned up promptly.

Heavy Cleaning

• When the floor is very dirty or a large spill has occurred, a few drops of hand washing dish soap added to the mop bucket is often enough to clean the mess. Choose a dish soap that has no added chemicals such as bleach. If you decide to use a commercially prepared "no rinse" floor cleaner such as Pine Sol or Mr. Clean, be sure to read the package directions. Both types of cleaners should be rinsed from the floor to prevent buildup.

Natural Cleaners

• Many proponents of natural cleaners recommend using vinegar that has been diluted with water to 50 percent strength. Oil soap is effective when mixed at a rate of 1/4 cup to 1 gallon of water. Both claim to be safer for the environment than chemical detergents, but they are not recommended by vinyl flooring manufacturers.