The Best LVT Floor Cleaner: What to Use (and What to Avoid)

Why the Right Cleaner matters for LVT

Owners of luxury vinyl tiles often wonder what cleaner to use on LVT flooring. And the answer isn’t always straightforward. 

Luxury vinyl tiles are built in different layers: a clear wear layer displaying above a digital printed surface sits on top of the vinyl core and protects it from scratches and staining. Using the wrong type of LVT flooring cleaner will strip or degrade this layer over time. and even using water can cause damage as excess moisture will seep into the seams of the LVT, dissolving its adhesive and causing the edges to warp or curlUsing excess water can also be harmful as it can seep through the joints in the LVT over time and damage the subfloor. In this article, we’ll tell you the best LVT floor cleaner to use, and, just as importantly, share which cleaning hacks you should avoid.

The Best Cleaner for LVT Floors

When looking for the right, or indeed best floor cleaner for LVT, ensure that whatever you use is pH neutral, specifically formulated for LVT or luxury vinyl, and free from harsh solvents, wax or bleach. We naturally recommend Luvanto Clean as a daily-use cleaner for LVT floors. Part of the Luvanto Luxury Cleaning Kit, it’s an easy-to-use LVT floor cleaner liquid. Simply dilute as directed, then damp mop (don’t over-saturate the mop) across your floor and dry as you go for superb results. 

Bona LVT floor cleaner is another pH neutral cleaner that produces an excellent finish. It’s formulated to lift daily grime quickly and easily, without leaving a sticky or cloudy film behind. Many good LVT cleaners come as concentrated liquids, but please note that it’s vital to follow the dilution instructions on the bottle – more is not usually better.

Regular care and maintenance is key for best LVT floor cleaner outcomes. Daily or weekly wipes with a damp microfiber mop using a specialist pH neutral floor cleaner for LVT will ensure that your surface stays in great condition for longer. 

Can You Use a Steam Cleaner on LVT Flooring?

In short, no! Steam cleaners for LVT flooring should never be used. The heat and moisture from the steam penetrates the join between layers, causing the LVT to delaminate (the different LVT layers separate and start to bubble or lift) leading to undulation of the surface and major damage to your LVT flooring. The key takeaway to this article is that you shouldn’t ever use a steam cleaner on LVT flooring!

A drenched mop carries the same danger over time. Too much moisture on the mop head risks delamination of your LVT flooring, so always wring it out thoroughly before use. Mop heads should be damp, not dripping when in contact with LVT.

If you’re looking for the best LVT floor cleaner machine, or a less labour-intensive way of caring for your LVT floor, a couple of hacks we recommend are using standard spray mops (together with a compatible LVT cleaning solution) and electric floor scrubbers. However, do ensure that electric floor scrubbers are used on gentle settings with appropriate pads – always check the manufacturer’s guidance on this.  

What Else to Avoid on LVT Floors

We regularly caution against homemade LVT floor cleaners. Diluted white vinegar is commonly suggested online, but it’s mildly acidic and therefore dulls the wear layer of luxury vinyl tiles over time. Likewise, avoid antibacterial floor cleaner for LVT. Bleach and chemical detergents damage the wear layer and cause discolouration. You should never use products containing bleach, ammonia or abrasive compounds on luxury vinyl.

Wax and polish should similarly be swerved. Wax builds up on the surface of LVT, dulls its finish and can be difficult to remove. If you have existing product build up, Luvanto Strip is the correct product to use for stripping it back. For really stubborn marks or build up, the best cleaner for LVT floors is the Green Scrubber Pad included in our Luvanto Luxury Cleaning Kit. The pad is specifically designed to be tough on marks without damaging your floor surface.  

Your LVT Cleaning Routine – Daily, Weekly and Deep Clean 

How frequently should you use LVT flooring cleaner and how often should you tend to your floors? Every UK household is different, but we recommend some form of maintenance daily. A light sweep or vacuum is great for keeping your LVT in top condition. The best vacuum cleaner for LVT flooring is any that has a soft brush attachment. Avoid vacuums with a beater bar or rotating brush as these can scratch LVT over time. For extra shine, damp mop your floor regularly with diluted LVT floor cleaner.  

It’s advisable to more thoroughly damp mop your LVT weekly, using Luvanto Clean. Pay attention to edges and joins where dirt accumulates to enjoy a longer-lasting clean appearance. 

For a finish worthy of a commercial LVT floor cleaner, use Luvanto Strip every 6-12 months. This removes built-up layers of old care products, wax or adhesive residues and restores your floor’s natural finish. Then reapply a maintenance product like Luvanto Revive. This refreshes and protects your surface for a noticeably enhanced floor. 

Shop Luvanto’s Floor Care Products

Our full Luxury Cleaning Kit contains everything you need to keep your LVT flooring looking pristine. From daily maintenance to deep cleaning and surface restoration, if you’re looking for the best LVT floor cleaner, the kit is our number one recommendation and can be purchased here.