How to clean Amtico flooring and other types of LVT

Whether you're purchasing it as new, or you've inherited it in a renovation, knowing how to clean Amtico flooring – a popular type of vinyl flooring – is key to maintaining a high-quality finish.

Often used in high-traffic areas such as bathrooms, hallways, kitchens and living rooms, it can be subject to daily dirt and marks that need removing.

But does its premium label mean it needs special cleaning, or can you treat it, and other luxury vinyl tile flooring (LVT) brands such as Karndean, in the same way as regular vinyl flooring? We asked the experts for their advice.

How to clean Amtico flooring compared to other vinyl flooring

Although the general cleaning methods are the same, there are some differences in the products and tools that you need to use say the experts.

"Amtico does not need any harsh or specialist chemicals," says Lorna Williams, Amtico's head of product design & visual creation, "which is why we have our own range of safe products, which are the only ones we recommend. Other flooring types may have different cleaning products that will not have been developed specifically for LVT flooring and could leave sticky or slippery residues."

"We do suggest a little extra care to keep a Karndean floor looking its best," agrees Gavin Smith, marketing director for Karndean Designflooring, "but it’s much easier to clean than many flooring alternatives. The key is daily maintenance and taking extra care with furniture."

Lorna Williams

Lorna heads up the design studio at Amtico, leading in design and development of new products across collections. In particular ensuring product and digital evolution across the Amtico brand.

Gavin Smith

Gavin Smith is marketing director for Karndean Designflooring. He has more than 17 years of experience in brand marketing.

Daily cleaning

"Amtico floors are designed to last and are easy to care for," says Lorna Williams. "Unlike natural floors, cleaning an Amtico floor only requires a light daily sweep with a dry, soft brush and a damp mop, weekly.

"Use a dust mop to remove dust and dirt, and remove any dry or hardened substances with a blunt scraper or plastic spatula," she explains, adding that when damp mopping, there is a specialist cleaning product called Amtico Maintainer (available to purchase on Amazon) that can be diluted with water in a mop bucket and applied.

Lorna's top tip for the best mopping technique? "Work backwards to the door in ‘S shape’ strokes. Rinse and wring the mop frequently throughout."

Vacuums that are suitable for hard floors can be also used on Amtico flooring confirms Lorna, however she recommends dust mopping (this dust mop can be easily purchased on Amazon) first to remove anything sharp that may get trapped between the floor and vacuum and cause scratches.

Gavin Smith offers similar advice for Karndean. "For a daily clean, we advise to simply use a soft broom to sweep up dust and dirt, then mop with Karndean Clean or any pH neutral cleaner approved for use on vinyl flooring.

"We also tend to advise against vacuuming," says Gavin, "due to the possibility of trapped grit being dragged along the floor."

Try these cleaning products

Products and methods to avoid

Although steam cleaning has become a popular method for those seeking a deeper clean for all manner of surfaces, it's not recommended for LVT flooring say the experts.

This is due to the adhesive used within the tile. Absorbing the steam means tiles may become loose over time.

And, even though household products such as vinegar are also used by many, Amtico recommend against using any types of vinegar to clean vinyl flooring as the acidity can dull the surface of the floor.

"It's also best to avoid household cleaners and bleach-based detergents, which can make the floor slippery and/or cause discoloration," says Gavin Smith. "We advise our own Karndean Clean solution, or a pH neutral cleaner."

Lorna Williams also notes how you should, "avoid contact with rubber mats or furniture bases, as this can cause staining. Amtico offer indoor and external mats to reduce the chance of dirt, grime and grit being walked onto your floor. These are backed with material that contains recycled plastic bottles and are machine washable at 30°C."

Removing spot marks and stains

For spot marks, Lorna recommends Amtico Spillage Remover or Amtico Cleaner Maintainer. To use, mixed as directed on the bottle into a garden spray to keep for whenever a quick spill or spot clean is needed.

For scuff marks, Gavin Smith has a clever solution, telling us "to buff out scuff marks from shoes or furniture with a tennis ball."

However, "prevention is always better than cure," says Lorna. "Blot up accidental spillages as soon as possible after spilling with an absorbent cloth or paper towel, but if you do find yourself trying to deal with a stain, some can be removed or improved using Amtico Stripper. This can be applied neat; left to stand for 5 mins then agitated with a soft brush. Rinse and repeat if required."

Professional cleaning

But what if you feel you need a deeper clean? Can you do this yourself or should you need to call in the professionals?

"It is possible to deep clean your Amtico floor periodically using Amtico Stripper and basic mops, a soft brush, buckets and/or a wet vacuum," says Lorna Williams, "but if required there is an industry of professional floor cleaners and restoration companies listed online.

"Check that they have experience of treating and cleaning LVT flooring. These companies will generally use machinery and can apply a dressing if required. It is recommended that they use Amtico products."

Gavin Smith says, "a professional clean can be given without hiring outside help, using our Karndean Floor Care Kit. The full Floor Care Kit contains all three cleaning products, along with cleaning pads and protective felt pads for furniture.

"The Karndean Remove solution is applied to the floor for 5 minutes with a household mop with the aim to strip the very top layer of the floor," he explains. "The Karndean Refresh solution is then applied to recreate the sating finish and provide a protective layer to the floor. This step needs around six hours to fully dry."

For more details on LVT flooring, find out what LVT flooring costs and where to buy vinyl flooring.