How to Clean and Maintain LVT Flooring

LVT flooring is one of the lowest-maintenance floor coverings you can choose, but “low maintenance” does not mean “no maintenance.” Whether you have a glue-down dryback from Amtico or Karndean, a click SPC plank from Nordikka or our own GF SPC range, or a loose-lay plank in a utility room, the right cleaning routine will keep the wear layer intact, the surface looking fresh and the floor performing well for decades.

At Grosvenor Flooring in Altrincham we supply LVT across South Manchester and Cheshire every week, and we hear the same care questions from homeowners in Hale, Bowdon, Sale, Knutsford and beyond. This guide covers everything from daily sweeping to stubborn stain removal, with brand-specific advice where it matters.

Why LVT Is Easier to Clean Than Most Flooring — but Not Indestructible

Every LVT plank or tile has a transparent wear layer on its surface that resists scratches, scuffs and staining. The thicker the wear layer, the harder the surface works — a 0.3mm wear layer (found on products like Amtico First and Nordikka Living) is fine for bedrooms and low-traffic spaces, while a 0.55mm layer (standard on Amtico Spacia, Nordikka Original and Karndean Van Gogh) handles hallways, kitchens and living areas comfortably. At the premium end, Amtico Signature carries a 1.0mm wear layer designed for decades of heavy use.

That wear layer is tough, but it is not invincible. Grit ground underfoot, harsh chemicals and abrasive cleaning tools can all degrade it over time. The good news is that protecting it requires nothing more than a consistent, simple routine.

Daily and Weekly Cleaning

Sweeping and Vacuuming

The single most effective thing you can do for any LVT floor — whether it is a wood-effect plank, a stone-effect tile or a herringbone pattern — is remove grit and dust before it gets ground underfoot. Sweep with a soft-bristle broom or vacuum on a hard-floor setting three to four times a week, or daily in high-traffic zones like hallways and kitchens.

If your vacuum has a rotating brush bar, switch it off. Spinning bristles are not aggressive enough to damage most wear layers, but they can scatter fine grit across the surface rather than picking it up — defeating the purpose.

Damp Mopping

Once a week, go over the floor with a well-wrung microfibre mop and a pH-neutral vinyl floor cleaner. The mop should feel barely damp — LVT is waterproof at the surface, so a little more water will not damage the tile itself, but excess water can seep into joints on click floors and sit beneath the plank. On glue-down installations where the tiles form a sealed surface, this is less of a concern, but controlled dampness is still best practice.

Mop in the direction of the plank or tile for the cleanest finish. For kitchens and bathrooms where spills are frequent, a twice-weekly mop will keep things under control.

Deep Cleaning LVT Flooring

Every few months — or whenever the floor starts to look dull despite regular mopping — a deeper clean will lift embedded dirt without damaging the wear layer.

Dilute a pH-neutral vinyl floor cleaner at the concentration recommended on the bottle. Apply with a microfibre mop, working in sections. Allow the cleaner a minute or two to break down dirt, then mop up with a clean, barely-damp mop and let the floor air-dry. Do not flood the floor and do not leave cleaning solution sitting on the surface — rinse residue attracts dirt and leaves the floor looking hazy.

For textured surfaces — common on Karndean Art Select and Amtico Signature tiles that replicate real wood grain or slate texture — dirt can settle into the embossed grooves. A soft nylon brush (never a scouring pad) worked gently along the grain will lift embedded dirt from these textures without scratching the wear layer.

Products to Avoid

LVT wear layers are designed to resist everyday chemicals, but certain products will degrade them over time or leave residue that dulls the finish. Avoid bleach and ammonia-based cleaners (they attack the wear layer’s clarity), washing-up liquid (leaves a sticky film that attracts dirt), wax-based polishes (build up into a yellow haze that is difficult to remove), abrasive cream cleaners or scouring pads (physically scratch the surface), and steam mops. Steam mops deserve special emphasis — the combination of heat and pressurised moisture can soften the vinyl, force water into click joints and, on glue-down floors, weaken the adhesive bond. This applies to every LVT product regardless of brand or price point.

Brand-Specific Care Advice

The general cleaning advice above applies to all LVT, but some brands have specific recommendations worth following.

Amtico

Amtico manufactures its own Floorcare range — a cleaner (for routine mopping), a refresher (to restore sheen on matt-finish tiles) and a stripper (to remove old polish build-up). Using Amtico’s own products is not essential — any pH-neutral vinyl cleaner will work — but the refresher is genuinely useful if you have matt-finish Spacia or Form tiles that have dulled over time. Never use wax polish on Amtico — it voids the warranty.

Karndean

Karndean also produces a dedicated cleaning range. The key product is their Routine Cleaner, used diluted for weekly mopping. Karndean specifically advises against using steam mops, bleach and abrasive cleaners. For their textured ranges like Art Select and Van Gogh, use a soft brush along the grain to clear dirt from the embossed texture. If you are comparing the two premium brands, our Amtico vs Karndean guide covers the key differences beyond maintenance.

Nordikka

Nordikka LVT follows the same general care rules. The glue-down ranges — Nordikka Living, Nordikka Original and Nordikka Select — form a sealed surface once installed, so regular damp mopping is all they need. The Nordikka Click SPC and herringbone variants (Tromso and Bodo) should be treated the same way as any click floor — avoid excess water near the joints.

Invictus

Invictus LVT across the Primus, Maximus and Ultimus ranges uses PUR (polyurethane reinforced) surface treatment that resists dirt adhesion. This makes routine cleaning even simpler — a damp mop with clean water is usually enough for weekly maintenance. Avoid wax-based products, which can build up on PUR surfaces and create a hazy finish.

GF SPC

Our own GF SPC Flooring has a fully waterproof rigid core, so there is no risk of water damage through the board itself. The surface wear layer should still be treated with care — regular sweeping, controlled damp mopping and no abrasive cleaners. The built-in IXPE underlay means spills that reach the joints will not damage the subfloor, but you should still wipe them up promptly to keep the joints clean.

Preventing Damage: Practical Measures

Door Mats

Place a coarse-fibre mat outside every external door and a softer absorbent mat inside. This catches grit and moisture before it reaches the floor — particularly important in homes across Altrincham, Sale, Hale and Bowdon where gravel drives and sandy paths track debris into hallways. Avoid rubber-backed mats on LVT — some rubber compounds can cause discolouration over time through a chemical reaction with the vinyl surface.

Furniture Protection

Stick self-adhesive felt pads to the feet of chairs, tables, sofas and anything else that sits on or moves across the floor. Replace them every six months — once they pick up grit, they cause the scratches they were designed to prevent. For office chairs, use a hard-floor-rated castored base or a clear floor protector mat. Heavy appliances like fridges and washing machines should sit on protective cups to spread the weight and prevent permanent indentation — this applies especially to softer 2mm and 2.5mm dryback tiles where point loads can leave visible dents.

Sunlight and Heat

Prolonged direct sunlight can cause colour change in some LVT products, particularly darker tones. Use blinds or curtains in south- and west-facing rooms, and move rugs periodically so the floor ages evenly. For rooms with underfloor heating, never exceed 27°C at the floor surface — this is the standard maximum recommended by Amtico, Karndean, Nordikka and all major LVT manufacturers.

Stain Removal and Troubleshooting

General Spills

Blot immediately with a dry or barely-damp cloth. Do not rub — rubbing can spread the liquid. Once dry, clean the area with your regular pH-neutral floor cleaner. Most food and drink spills will not stain LVT if dealt with quickly.

Scuff Marks

Black scuff marks from shoes are the most common cosmetic issue on light-coloured LVT. Most wipe away with a damp microfibre cloth. Stubborn marks respond to a small amount of isopropyl alcohol (rubbing alcohol) on a soft cloth — dab gently, do not scrub.

Ink, Dye and Tough Stains

Dab with a cloth lightly dampened with rubbing alcohol or white spirit. Test in an inconspicuous area first. If the stain lifts, re-clean the area with your normal floor cleaner to remove any solvent residue.

Adhesive Residue

If adhesive from installation or tape residue is left on the surface, apply a small amount of the adhesive manufacturer’s recommended solvent on a cloth and wipe gently. Do not use acetone (nail polish remover) — it can cloud or soften the vinyl surface.

Room-Specific Care Tips

Kitchens

Kitchen LVT needs more frequent mopping than other rooms — cooking splashes, grease and dropped food can build up quickly. Wipe up oil-based spills immediately, as cooking oil left on the surface can attract dirt and leave a slippery film. A washable runner in front of the sink and hob catches the worst of it.

Bathrooms

Bathroom LVT handles water well, but soap scum and limescale can build up, especially in hard-water areas across Cheshire. A weekly wipe with a pH-neutral cleaner prevents this. If limescale does build up around the base of a bath or shower tray, a diluted vinegar solution applied briefly and rinsed off quickly will lift it — but do not leave vinegar sitting on the surface, as prolonged acid contact can dull the wear layer.

Hallways

Hallways see the heaviest foot traffic and the most grit. Sweep daily during wet weather, keep doormats in place and check that furniture pads on coat stands and console tables are still clean. A floor with a thicker wear layer — 0.55mm or above — will hold up better in these high-traffic zones.

Conservatories

Conservatory LVT faces more UV exposure than any other room. Keep blinds drawn during peak sun hours in summer, and choose a natural mid-tone or grey finish rather than a very dark or very light shade if you want to minimise the appearance of any gradual colour shift.

See Our LVT Range in Person

If you are choosing new LVT — or want to compare wear layers, textures and finishes before deciding — visit the Grosvenor Flooring Smart Showroom at 82 Stamford New Road, Altrincham, WA14 1BS. It is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, with no appointment needed. Simply request your free door code and walk in at a time that suits you.

Inside you will find full-size samples from Amtico, Karndean, Nordikka, Invictus, Brampton Chase and our own GF LVT collection. Whether you are in Altrincham, Knutsford, Wilmslow, Northwich, Prestbury or anywhere across Cheshire, the showroom is just minutes from the M56 and A56.

Browse our complete LVT flooring range online, or request your Smart Showroom door code to see everything in person.