Anyone who has a vinyl floor in their home will know that being careful about your cleaning products is critical. You don’t want to risk damaging the floor by applying the wrong product, as this could leave permanent marks on the vinyl. Although vinyl floors are tough, it’s easy to accidentally mark a floor by applying the wrong cleaning products.
Pine Sol is a popular cleaning product for many reasons, but is it safe for use on vinyl floors? Let’s find out!
Can you use Pine Sol on vinyl floors? You can use Pine Sol on a vinyl floor. Pine Sol is an excellent cleaning product, especially if your vinyl floor is in a messy spot that frequently needs deep and thorough cleaning. This is often the case, because vinyl floors are hard-wearing and easy to wipe down. Pine Sol will not harm your vinyl floor, even if you use it frequently.
Is It Okay to Use Pine Sol on Vinyl Floors?
A lot of people use Pine Sol on their vinyl floors, and this is perfectly okay to do. Vinyl floors are not porous, so they won’t soak up the Pine Sol. It will simply clean the surface, removing marks and debris, and making it look good as new again. It is also a safe product to use if you have pets.
That said, you must make sure that the Pine Sol itself is kept away from pets and children, as it is concentrated and could be harmful if swallowed. Cleaning the floor with it should be perfectly safe, making it a great choice for parents who have busy households and need something to quickly get the floor looking clean and fresh again.
Pine Sol does not contain anything that will harm vinyl. It is free from things like ammonia (which can make vinyl crack), wax (which will ruin the surface of the vinyl), and abrasives (which will make vinyl dull and create micro-scratches on the surface). It also does not have any detergent in it, which is great, because detergent can make your vinyl look cloudy and dull.
How Should You Clean a Vinyl Floor with Pine Sol?
First, you should sweep and vacuum your floor to remove any loose dirt or debris. This will scratch the floor if you mop it. Next, mix ¼ of a cap of Pine Sol with a gallon of water, and stir thoroughly. Dip the mop in the solution, wring it out, and start mopping the floor. When you’ve finished, re-mop the floor with plain, clean water.
Some people are tempted to use more Pine Sol than suggested to get the floor extra clean. However, this can cause a feeling of stickiness when you walk on the floor, which is unpleasant. Stick to ¼ of a capful for each gallon of water.
Secondly, make sure you are wringing the mop out thoroughly whenever you dip it in the solution. If you get your vinyl floor too wet, there’s a risk that some water will make its way through the gaps between the vinyl planks, and this will damage your underlayment and possibly cause cracking and swelling.
You don’t have to rinse the floor with water if you would rather not do so, but this is a good way to stop the Pine Sol from building up over time. Give it a quick secondary mop with clean water, and then wipe it down with a soft towel for the best results.
Does Pine Sol Disinfect the Floor?
Pine Sol can kill germs, and this is one of the reasons for its popularity. It will disinfect the floor and leave it clean and much safer for little hands if you have a toddler crawling around. It’s great for use in rooms like kitchens and bathrooms.
It is not the same as sterilizing the floor, but for almost all household purposes, it will be sufficient. You can also use more concentrated Pine Sol to kill most germs in a particular spot. Apply it neat to that area, allow it to sit for 10 minutes to let it work, and then wipe it up with clean water and a towel.
Will Pine Sol Make the Floor Slippery?
It is important to be aware that Pine Sol can make your floors quite slippery. It is an oil-based cleaner, and since oil is slippery, it may add a slickness to the surface of your floor. This could be dangerous. If you notice it, mop the floor with clean water, and further dilute the Pine Sol next time you clean it.
Slippery floors are hazardous, so if you notice this, make efforts to mop the floor with water as soon as you can to minimize the risk of accidents.
What If You Don’t Know If Your Floor is Vinyl?
Sometimes, you won’t be sure what kind of floor you are cleaning. Fortunately, Pine Sol should be safe for use on any kind of non-porous flooring, including linoleum, vinyl, and even laminate. If in doubt, always test a small area before you apply the Pine Sol, in case it marks the floor.
You should not use Pine Sol on any porous floors, including things like hardwood. The chemicals will get into the floor’s pores and could cause swelling, warping, clouding, or other damage. This cleaner is only intended for use on sealed, non-porous surfaces.
Will Pine Sol Get Rid of Stains?
Pine Sol may be able to shift some stains by stripping dirt off the floor, but it isn’t a specific stain remover. It is worth trying, but you may need a product designed to lighten or remove color if you have got a bad mark on your vinyl floor. Even concentrated, Pine Sol won’t always be sufficient.
Final Thoughts
Pine Sol is perfectly safe for use on vinyl floors, and many people turn to this popular cleaner for this purpose. Remember to dilute it with water, rather than using it neat. If it makes your floor feels slippery, wash it with plain water and decrease the quantity of Pine Sol the next time you mop.
