Vacuums for Vinyl Plank Floors: A Buying Guide
Vinyl plank floors are a popular flooring choice for many homes. They provide the warmth and comfort of natural wood without the high price tag or maintenance headaches of real wood.
One of the best ways to clean vinyl plank flooring is vacuuming. It’s an easy and effective way that helps reduce dust or dirt in your home
To help you make an informed decision about which vacuum to buy, we’ve put together this buying guide with with what to think about when considering a vacuum for vinyl plank flooring.
Can you vacuum vinyl plank flooring?
Vinyl plank floors are hard wearing but still need to be cared for and maintained. Yes, you can use a vacuum on vinyl plank flooring.
To keep them clean and looking new for as long as possible, make sure that you do the dry cleaning first, before any other type of wet floor cleaner is used. Cleaning away the dry dust and dirt first will help keep your floor from getting scratched.
This calls for a good quality vacuum cleaner with efficient suction and good features like effective dust absorption.
What's the difference between vinyl and laminate flooring?
Vinyl flooring is not just a plastic surface. When it’s made, the vinyl resin and powdered polymer are heated to temperatures up to 320 degrees Fahrenheit, then cooled down while still in liquid form. This process forms strong bonds that make the plastics used in vinyl floors water-resistant.
Vinyl is the best option for any room that’s susceptible to water damage, like kitchens, bathrooms, and basements. That’s because vinyl has a clear advantage over all other materials in terms of durability and resistance: it can be cleaned easily with soap or detergent without causing permanent marking on its surface.
On the contrary, laminate flooring is the best option for homeowners who want an authentic hardwood look but don’t have the budget. The texture and appearance of laminate flooring are similar for a fraction of the cost, making it popular with those looking to save some dough on their décor while maintaining aesthetic consistency in style throughout their home.
While laminate flooring is budget-friendly, it is not the best choice for homes that are prone to moisture.
Laminate floors that have water-resistant properties do not provide waterproof protection. These flooring options will become seriously damaged if water is allowed to stay on them for an extended period.
What is LVT flooring and LVP flooring?
Luxury Vinyl Plank flooring, or LVP for short, is a new type of synthetic material that imitates the look and feel of hardwood floors with an affordable price tag. They also don’t scratch very easily.
Luxury Vinyl Plank floors are the perfect choice for any homeowner looking for an amazing new look while still getting all the benefits of modern vinyl plank construction.
Vinyl plank flooring is thicker than typical vinyl floors.
Cleaning LVP floors is pretty simple. Vacuum to clear out the dust and dirt, and use water with your damp mop for stubborn stains.
Luxury Vinyl Tile flooring, or LVT, is a modern alternative to natural stone and ceramic tile that can be installed quickly, easily, and affordably.
Stone and tile flooring have been around for a long time but ,they’re definitely more expensive. Luxury vinyl tile helps you create a similar look for less.
LVT flooring is the perfect solution for low-maintenance, durable floors that are easy to clean with a vacuum cleaner
Features to look for when buying a vacuum for vinyl plank flooring
1. Adjustable suction power
When cleaning plank vinyl floors, adjustable suction power is a must-have. Of course all vacuums have some level of suction, but not all come with an option to adjust it.
If you want to keep your vinyl plank floor in good condition, it is best not to use high-suction power. Lower suction power will be able to get the job done without damaging the the surface.
2. Good Filter system
A good filtration system is one of the most important factors to consider when looking into a vacuum for vinyl plank floors.
Allowing dirt and particles to just sit on your floors can lead to excess dust in the air, or even worse, allergen sources that could trigger allergy symptoms.
A vacuum with an efficient filter will make clean-up easy by catching these microscopic specs and dust particles before they end up around your home, where they’re not welcome.
3. A vacuum that doesn't scratch
When looking for a vacuum, if you’re thinking about an upright vacuum for your vinyl plank floors, it’s important to make sure that the outer frame has padding on the corner.
This makes sure your furniture and baseboards will never be scratched or scuffed by hard edges that are on some vacuums.
When looking at canister vacuums, take a look at the wheels and make sure they won’t scratch either.
For any type of vacuum, be sure there are no sharp edges or pointy bits (especially around the base of the vacuum) that can accidentally mark your floor.
4. Weight
A heavy vacuum cleaner is not just a pain to transport from room to room but can damage vinyl plank floors.
The safest bet is to choose a vacuum cleaner on the lighter side that will protect your floors but still have enough suction power. Vacuum cleaners specifically made for bare wood floors are also good for vinyl plank flooring.
5. Versatility
Many vacuums that work on vinyl plank floors can usually clean other flooring types like carpet. Often they can automatically switch between different floor types. if you have flooring other thank vinyl plank floors, then you need this feature.
A versatile vacuum will also come with tools and accessories that let you clean other surfaces such as upholstery and curtains. You can clean hard-to-reach spaces with extending wands and attachments – helping you do even above ground cleaning.
Your vacuum may come equipped with a crevice tool for cleaning narrow crevices of your floors around corners and furniture legs;
Depending on the type of vacuum, it may come with a a long wand extension so you can easily vacuum under sofas and cabinets.
Maybe you’re after a truly versatile vacuum, like a vacuum that can convert into a handheld. There are even 3 in 1 vacuum cleaners!
Life becomes a whole lot easier when you have many features in the one vacuum cleaner.
6. Long Power cords if you're going corded
Cordless vacuum cleaners are a convenient but they do have some limitations, notably their battery life. Many vacuum buyers still prefer corded vacuums.
Corded vacuums remove the stress you feel when you can hear the battery running low. They also have consistent suction.
When buying your vacuum for vinyl plank floors, check out the power cord length. A long power cord lets you clean larger spaces like basements.
What types of vacuums are suitable for vinyl plank flooring?
Most types of vacuum cleaners can be used on vinyl plank floors. There are some considerations though for each type.
Stick vacuums
Stick vacuums are great for vinyl plank flooring because they can easily get into and clean all of those hard-to-reach places.
Compact and lightweight stick vacuums are versatile in their use for cleanups around the house. They’re also easy to store when not in use.
Upright vacuums
Upright vacuums are not just good for carpets. Vinyl plank flooring can be easily cleaned using an upright.
Be aware though, that some upright vacuums can have overly powerful suction levels which can damage your vinyl plank flooring. Just look for an upright vacuum with adjustable suction and then you won’t have to worry about damaging the vinyl plank floors.
Robotic vacuums
Robot vacuum cleaners are excellent for cleaning areas under beds or furniture. Robot vacs are extra special as they help turn cleaning time into free time for you.
Some robotic vacuums can have brushes that scratch but there’s less of these around nowadays.
Canister vacuums
Most canister vacuum cleaners have adjustable suction making them a perfect cleaning option for vinyl plank floors. You do need to make sure there are no sharp edges on the vacuum to protect your floors.
Canister vacs tend to be easier to manouver and more lightweight than upright vacuums as most of the weight remains on the floor.
Vacuums for vinyl plank floors - What to avoid
There are features to be wary of when vacuuming vinyl plank floors.
You should avoid motorized brushes and rollers – they can scatter dust and dirt across your vinyl plank floors.
Vacuums with beater bars are the enemy of vinyl plank floors! As the beater bar rotates, it can cause serious damage to the protective coating.
Either buy a vacuum without a beater bar or a vacuum with an adjustable beater bar (so that you can turn it on or off).
If possible, look for one that has no rotating roller brush to reduce wear and tear on the vinyl plank surface.
If you have different floor surfaces, look for a vacuum that can auto-adjust from carpet to hard floors or that has an on/off switch on the brush head.
With cordless vacuum cleaners avoid those with a battery life too short for the space you need to clean
Tips for using Vacuums on Vinyl Floors
- Perform regular cleaning at least once per week – some people managed to do it more often. Daily is ideal (lucky you if you have the time!) The more frequent the clean, the better your vinyl plank floors will look. For those who can’t find the time to vacuum more frequently, a robotic vacuums may be the perfect solution.
- Clean up spills quickly, especially wet spills and grab the vacuum for a quick blitz. Not only will your vinyl plank floors be easier clean, but you can avoid sticky spots and pest like ants.
- Empty vacuum bags often so that they don’t affect how well your vacuum cleaner does its job.
- For stubborn stains that are too hard to vacuum, use a soft cloth or brush to loosen debris first.
- Mop vinyl plank floors once a week with warm water and gentle floor cleaner. Be careful not to get vinyl plank floors too wet – there is glue underneath the planks.
Having lovely, clean vinyl plank flooring gives you confidence to invite over visitors at any time!
Wrap Up
We hope you found this buying guide helpful. If so, please share it with your friends and family to help them find the best vacuum for vinyl plank floors as well!
Looking at just one or two vacuum features won’t always give you the full picture when deciding which vacuum is right for your needs.
If you’re after a quick recommendation of a vacuum for vinyl plank floors: a great value vacuum cleaner that has decent suction, power and durability that not only vacuums but washes as well, then it’s worth checking out the Bissell Crosswave for vinyl plank floors.
Choosing a vacuum cleaner shouldn’t be difficult. To help you we have vacuum cleaner reviews with their pros and cons, from budget vacuum cleaners to high end expensive vacuum cleaners.
We hope this article has provided you with the information you need to find a vacuum for your vinyl plank flooring.
Happy cleaning!