How To Clean VCT Floor Tile
Vinyl Composition Floor Tile (VCT) is made from colored PVC by molding it into sheets through a heating process. It is found in many commercial establishments, but it now makes its way into homes because of its durability.
Cleaning the tile doesn't require expert skills, but you should maintain it regularly to preserve shine. Clean your VCT by following these tips.
Maintain the Tiles
To clean VCT tiles, gather:
- mop and broom
- rags
- mineral spirits
- neutral dry liquid floor cleaner or neutral detergent
- polishing agent
- tile sealer
To prevent indentations, move furniture around, then minimize wear and tear by spreading floor mats in high-traffic areas. If you find scuff marks, buff them out with a polishing agent and rag. Clean spills as soon as soon as you notice, sweep the floor daily, or vacuum it on a low setting.
Newly installed tiles will commonly have an adhesive residue. Raise a window to ventilate, dampen a rag with mineral spirits, and wipe the adhesive.
Mop the Tile
To mop VCT tiles, mix a floor cleaner in a bucket according to instructions, which commonly requires three to four ounces of cleaner per one gallon of water. Cleaners should have a pH between six and eight.
If you are mopping the floor for the first time, you may want to clean it with a stronger cleaner to remove the manufacturer's coating. Purchase a mop that doesn't shed fibers.
Moisten the mop in the bucket, but don't saturate it. Wring excess liquid, mop the floor in three-feet sections, wring the mop, and repeat. Rinse mops well to avoid spreading fuzzy particles on the floor.
Fill a bucket with warm water, mop the floor to rinse the solution, then let the floor dry naturally. The solution can also be removed with a wet/dry vacuum.
Seal the Tiles
Polishing the floor helps to protect it from abrasion. Most provided applicators have a pad attached to a pole by a hook or elastic. Spread a thin coat of polish using the provided applicator or a brush designed for applying floor finishes.
For the first coat, don't spread to prevent build-up in low-traffic areas. Let the first coat dry, which commonly takes one hour, then add a second coat In humid weather, the floor may need more time to dry.
If you prefer, use a buffing machine and a buffing agent for extra shine. To use a buffing machine, apply the buffing agent to the floor, and move the machine back and forth in small arcs walking backward.
Reach out to a business like Metro Maintainers Building Services for more information.