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Keep Your Vinyl Floor In Tip-Top Shape!!Courtesy Armstrong FlooringVinyl flooring is a beautiful, long lasting and durable product that can withstand many years of use... and abuse. But vinyl flooring is not invulnerable and can be permanently damaged if you don't care for it properly! In this article we cover the 1) basics of floor cleaning and maintenance, 2) how to protect your floor from common abuses and 3) removal of common household stains. Caring For Your Floor... THE BASICSTo keep the lasting shine and fresh feel of your investment for as long as possible, we recommend that you... DO...
DON'T...
Preemptive Protection For Your Floor...Prevent possible damage to your new floor by following these suggestions...
Use floor protectors, such as Armstrong Floor Protectors, on furniture to reduce indentation. As a general rule of thumb, the heavier the item, the wider the floor protector needed. Be especially careful with furniture with metal protectors... these can both cause deep indentations and rust stains! Be careful with rolling casters! They can damage the floor. Therefore, we do not recommend them. If you choose to use them, the double-wheel type are the best option. Place a walk-off mat at outside entrances to reduce the amount of dirt brought into your home. We do not recommend the use of rubber or latex-backed mats because the chemical (antioxidant) used to keep the backing from becoming brittle can permanently stain your floor. This is called "antioxidant staining". We suggest a non-staining vinyl-backed mat or a woven rug that is colorfast. Most of these products are identified "colorfast" by the manufacturer. All Armstrong floor care products have been specifically developed to care for Armstrong floors. You may purchase Armstrong floor care products at your local flooring retailer. Immediately After Installation...For 8 hours after seam application, protect the sealed seams on your flooring. This will ensure the proper seam bond. If your seams are disturbed before they're dry, permanent damage may result. Maintain room temperature at 65 degrees Fahrenheit for 48 hours after installation is completed. This assures proper curing, setting and bonding of products. Use a damp sponge, cloth, or mop to wipe off the Armstrong logo and "800" number printed on the face of the floor. To avoid staining, be careful not to wipe across any seams! The adhesive under your floor needs time to thoroughly dry after installation. Therefore we recommend that you do not scrub or wash your floor for five days. Stain removal tips for specific problems...Vinyl flooring, though quite durable, is not immune to staining. Many types of stains are removable, but some may not be! So, first and foremost... be careful when using staining products around your floor. If spills occur, quick removal can make all the difference in protecting your floor. NOTE: Some cleaning products, such as mineral spirits, turpentine and alcohol, are flammable and possibly explosive! Always READ and FOLLOW label directions for safe use! Crayon MarksRub the stain with mineral spirits or turpentine on a clean white cloth. Scrub the area with Armstrong New Beginning® Floor Stripper and Cleaner and a nonabrasive white scrubbing pad, following instructions on the label. Lipstick MarksRub the stain with rubbing alcohol (isopropyl alcohol) on a clean white
cloth. If stain is still visible, rub the stain with mineral spirits* or
turpentine on a clean white cloth. Grape Juice/Wine StainsScrub the area with Armstrong New Beginning Floor Stripper and Cleaner and a nonabrasive white scrubbing pad, following instructions on the label. Mercurochrome/Merthiolate StainsScrub the area with Armstrong New Beginning Floor Stripper and Cleaner and a nonabrasive white scrubbing pad, following instructions on the label. Mustard StainsMustard may not be completely removable from vinyl no-wax floors! Pen Ink StainsInks may not be completely removable from vinyl no-wax floors! Permanent Marker StainsPermanent marker may not be completely removable from vinyl no-wax floors! Asphalt Driveway Sealer/Shoe Polish MarksAsphalt products and shoe polishes may not be completely removable from
vinyl no-wax floors! Hair Dye StainsHair dyes may not be completely removable from vinyl no-wax floors! Paint/VarnishIf paint stain is wet, wipe up the stain with water on a clean white cloth. Nail PolishVery carefully wipe with fingernail polish remover containing acetone (follow use instructions on label) on a clean white cloth. Rust StainsApply Armstrong New Beginning® Floor Stripper and Cleaner to the stain and
let it stand for five minutes. Scrub vigorously with a stiff-bristle brush or
nonabrasive white scrubbing pad, wipe, rinse, and let dry. If traces
remain, rub with a soft cloth dipped in a solution of oxalic acid and water (1
part acid to 10 parts water).
Cigarette BurnsThe procedure depends on the exact construction of your floor. Consult your retailer. Black Heel MarksScrub the area with Armstrong New Beginnings® Floor Stripper and Cleaner and
a nonabrasive white scrubbing pad, following instructions on the label. Our appreciation to ARMSTRONG for allowing us to heavily excerpt their online guide on vinyl floor care for use in this article. If you have specific questions about Armstrong products, from stain removal to installation to product information, please call Armstrong directly at 1-800-233-3823 or visit their website at http://www.armstrong.com . |
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