Use floor cleaner products that say they are “made for resilient” flooring. For an extra shine, use a polish-and-shine product made especially for vinyl or other resilient materials.

Wipe up spills as soon as they happen with a soft, dry cloth. If a spill has already dried, use a made-for-resilient floor cleaner.

Do use a welcome mat made of natural, colorfast material. It’s welcoming and will help guard against tracked-in dirt and moisture.

Prevent indentations in your vinyl flooring by using felt protectors under furniture legs.

When moving appliances or heavy furniture, set a sheet of plywood on the floor and “walk” the item across to prevent scuffs or tears.

Don’t let dirt, dust, or sand accumulate. Dry mop or use a damp cloth to pick up grit before it has a chance to get ground in. You can use the wand attachment on your vacuum, but don’t use the beater bar as this can leave permanent marks on vinyl.

Avoid harsh or abrasive cleaners, steel wool, kitchen scrubbies, paste wax or solvent-based polishes.

To make sure you don’t accidentally void your manufacturer's warranty, don’t forget to review the warranty for any specific instructions about how to clean your vinyl flooring.