LVT floors and fast cleaning

[Old Coastie]

Ok gurus, when cleaning LVT, I have several low moisture options.

1: Use a vapor steam mop.
2: Use a recovery-type CRB, with follow up microfiber mop.
3: Use magic sponge dry compound, whatever that stuff is called.

Low moisture matters, mild chemical impact matters. Speed matters because it will be done in the a.m. when the store is open. Low foot traffic early in the day.

My question is, who is doing this and what works well for you?

 

[JohnHawkP]

Be very careful with high temps and abrasive techniques.

How dirty is it?

You might find a good tile cleaning product mixed with cleaning vinegar can give good results.

Mop it on, agitate with a doodlebug or slow speed scrubber with a white pad then mop off with a clean mop and finish with a dust control mop.

I can't comment on the crb but my feeling is using it will be slower.

 

[hogjowl]

You need a TM idiot

 

[J Scott W]

Every manufacturer of LVT and similar products has a different idea on how to best clean their product. You may want to consult the manufacturer if a warranty is involved.

We have had good results with Hydro-Force Wood Fresh neutral cleaner. We have the support of at least one major manufacturer. Can be applied with OP machine and bonnets or mop on and mop off or by other means.

 

[hogjowl]

Squeeky Clean from TCS
1-800-843-9891
Sorry Scott

 

[J Scott W]

Squeeky Clean from TCS
1-800-843-9891
Sorry Scott

The Squeeky works well, too. Same product with a different color dye and fragrance. I would get whichever was more convenient.

 

[Small town janitorial]

OP machine and bonnets if the lvt doesn't have really deep texture. Or a small autoscrubber. But most carpet cleaners dont have those.

 

[Old Coastie]

You need a TM idiot

Oh yeah, that was helpful.

 

[Old Coastie]

Be very careful with high temps and abrasive techniques.

How dirty is it?

You might find a good tile cleaning product mixed with cleaning vinegar can give good results.

Mop it on, agitate with a doodlebug or slow speed scrubber with a white pad then mop off with a clean mop and finish with a dust control mop.

I can't comment on the crb but my feeling is using it will be slower.

Thanks, John. The manager says that the manufacturer “recommends steam.”

I’m calling corporate, to have them email the manufacturer’s care instructions.

 

[Jimmy L]

I would use my hard surface wand with my TM

 

[steve_64]

I have sprayed on cleaner rtu and used micro fiber flat mops to clean floors.

 

[Lyman]

I have a verizon store to do, lvt. Hard surface wand and a mild prespray is what I was going to use, thoughts.

 

[steve_64]

I have a verizon store to do, lvt. Hard surface wand and a mild prespray is what I was going to use, thoughts.

Keep the pressure down.

 

[BIG WOOD]

Low moisture? Ok, here's my magic:

Mist any floor cleaner evenly over the floor, scrub with red pad 175, then knock it out with a cotton loop at the end to pick up the funk, BOOM! You're done. 10min max.

 

[Dolly Llama]

All the LVT I've seen is pretty damn durable and not at all subject to same water concerns as cheap laminate, veneer wood laminate and hardwood

ITt's pretty idiot proof
Provided you're not idiot enough to use a wire brush and draino....

don't overthink it
spray a neutral cleaner, roto scrub w/mild pad and use a floor tool to rinse (glided wand will work too)

LTA

 

[Kenny Hayes]

Glided wand or zipper, turbo. But I would use my micro auto scrubber for the very best tool. Clarke vantage 14.

 

[roro]

My question is, who is doing this and what works well for you?

My questions are how many sq feet and how long have you got to do it in.
roro

 

[steve_64]

All the LVT I've seen is pretty damn durable and not at all subject to same water concerns as cheap laminate, veneer wood laminate and hardwood

ITt's pretty idiot proof
Provided you're not idiot enough to use a wire brush and draino....

don't overthink it
spray a neutral cleaner, roto scrub w/mild pad and use a floor tool to rinse (glided wand will work too)

LTA

Gotta worry about the water getting trapped underneath and its a soft product. Heat and pressure can cause damage.

 

[Old Coastie]

My questions are how many sq feet and how long have you got to do it in.
roro

2205 and I have to do it while the store is open. It is a retail tire store, the flooring is six months old. The last guy used an auto scrubber, but went out of business.
So I did receive the manufacturer’s instructions and they aren’t as fussy as the store manager thinks.
This will be fun. Waiting 39 days for payment, not as fun.

 

[Dolly Llama]

Gotta worry about the water getting trapped underneath and its a soft product. Heat and pressure can cause damage

spinner pressure washing @ 1200psi and 200 temps would fall under the "Provided you're not idiot enough to use a wire brush and draino" category
But well worth you noting , cause there's an overabundance of idiots in the world

I haven't seen all the LVT out there, and don't clean it "for hire", but what I commonly see when cleaning up our own construction messes and/or installs...

it's soft comparatively, but doesn't absorb any water like pressed paper laminates, engineered wood product veneers and hardwood
and if installed right, and correct adhesive used and fully cured...it's pretty hard to f'up

..LT.A.

 

[Mikey P]

Good lord.

Mop down a carpet pre spray, scrub the dirty areas with a CBR.

Rinse with a glided carpet wand with as much psi and heat your pos port can create

Mop up the puddles.




Even Marty could handle that, I hope.

 

[Old Coastie]

But do we care if he could?

I say “Nay!”

 

[Kenny Hayes]

See, my micro scrubber would be perfect. I could even wheel up with my 4/6 cargo trailer, scrub it and move on to my 8k job. After I change trailers of course

 

[Kenny Hayes]

All in all, do as Mikey said, it’s not that hard.

 

[Hack Attack]

Good lord.

Mop down a carpet pre spray, scrub the dirty areas with a CBR.

Rinse with a glided carpet wand with as much psi and heat your pos port can create

Mop up the puddles.




Even Marty could handle that, I hope.

thats only 4 steps.. wheres the other 6 gone?

 

[sassyotto]

wow what a wide range of answers. kinda like carpet cleaning. Call 50 different carpet cleaning companies and get 50 different opinions/procedures/results

 

[roro]

What Scott W said - here's one manuf recc - note there are differences depending on how laid etc.
http://www.floorexpert.com/articles...ance_Systems__kav&KBArticleID=kA661000000TNyh

 

[Doug Rice]

Rent or borrow a small auto scrubber. If you can't find an auto scrubber do as mikey said and soft scrub with a CRB with medium brushes or use a white pad on a 175. The machines are for show mostly as you can make it beautiful with a neutral cleaner, dwell time a a mop. Just remember to not train your competition. Sell the sizzle!

 

[Hack Attack]

red pad on 175 for scrubbing your juice if not too bad. Blue/green for scrubbing if bit of buildup. White pad for buffing after you mopped up and rinsed any slurry

 

[Old Coastie]

How I did it today. Using the Nacecare “Hydro Washer” made it easy. Hermann post mopped like a sunuvvagun and remarkably, his mop water did not darken very fast. Total water used on 2205 sq feet, about 4 gallons. By the time we were on the last section, the manager had already emailed his complete satisfaction to corporate.



So... I can’t seem to upload the video (some security issue) and the FB link is static on my phone, so screw it, just take my word that it worked.