Ammonia on vinyl floors interacts with the materials from the floor in a negative fashion, drying out the plastic and causing it to crack. While ammonia is good at killing germs, don’t use it on vinyl floors. Another family agent, acetic acid — white vinegar — kills germs, cuts grease and also acts like a deodorant; it’s entirely safe to be used on vinyl floors. White vinegar also acts as a disinfectant, as does apple cider vinegar, killing bacteria such as E.coli and many that lead to pneumonia and meningitis. A squirt of baby oil added to the vinegar safely shines vinyl floors without waxing.
Cleaning and Mopping
Run a soft broom or dust mop across the vinyl floors to pick up any loose debris, bits of dirt and even too-small-to-be seen rocks. Sweep the stuff to a dustpan and discard.
Fill a gallon container with 1 cup of white vinegar and warm water.
Add hot water to the next gallon container to use as rinse water.
Dip the mop to the first container filled with warm vinegar and water and wring it out before applying it to the floor. After every pass with the mop, rinse the region just cleaned with clean warm water.
Repeat these steps until the whole floor is washed and rinsed.
Mop extremely dirty floors with a gallon mixture of warm water plus three to five squirts of a dishwashing fluid; rinse with warm water before disinfecting the plastic with the vinegar clean.
Stubborn Stains and Scuffs
Eliminate black scuff marks with a waterless lubricant or utilize a natural oil, such as jojoba oil, on a clean cloth. Rub on the black marks till they are gone before mopping the room with vinegar and warm water.
Apply rubbing alcohol and bathe with a soft-bristle nylon brush to eliminate hair dye, ink stains and lipstick.
Remove paint, felt-tipped marks and crayon by scrubbing with the brush and mineral spirits around the stained region. Acetone may also work to eliminate paint and nail polish stains. Following the stain is gone, wash the area with hot water, a bit of dishwashing soap and then with vinegar for disinfection.