A guide to cleaning your Amtico flooring
Amtico flooring is a popular choice for homes and commercial spaces thanks to its stylish designs, hard-wearing nature and long-lasting appeal. Whilst Amtico floors are notoriously low maintenance, that doesn’t mean they’re maintenance-free. But with a bit of care and attention, you can keep your Amtico floor looking as good as new for years to come.
As an Amtico One Premium Partner, we often get asked how best to clean Amtico flooring. Whether you have just had your new flooring installed, or you’re looking to upgrade your cleaning routine, this guide will take you through everything you need to know – from daily upkeep to tackling tougher stains and protecting your investment over time.
Routine cleaning
Keeping on top of dirt and debris is the first step in maintaining the beauty of your Amtico floor. Fortunately, there are plenty of solutions out there which make your cleaning routine much more manageable.
Daily maintenance is more effective than the occasional deep clean. Dust, dirt and small stones can build up within a matter of hours, taking a similar effect to sandpaper whereby the surface becomes scratched and dull. Using a soft-bristled broom or a vacuum cleaner with a hard floor setting, we recommend quickly whizzing over your floor every day to collect any debris early on. Be mindful that vacuums with beater bars can scuff surfaces, so make sure the one you plan to use is suitable for luxury vinyl tiling [LVT].
You should continue with a thorough cleanse every week, focusing on high-traffic areas in particular. Using a damp string mop, a standard wringer bucket and Amtico’s specially formulated Floorcare Maintainer [dilute as recommended on the instructions], mop backwards to the door in an “S shape” to gently lift grime. Excess water can seep into joints and edges of tiles and planks, so it’s important to rinse and wring the mop frequently to avoid damaging the floor’s protective layers.
Deep cleaning
Even with your day-to-day cleaning down to a tee, your Amtico floor will still benefit from a periodic restore and refresh.
If you notice your floor has lost its original sheen or it’s holding more dirt than usual, this signals for a deep clean. The Amtico Floorcare Stripper is designed to break down old layers of dressing and remove ingrained grime when mopped liberally. After you have let it stand for 10 minutes, agitate the solution with the mop or a soft brush and mop off with fresh water. There will be measurement recommendations on the product packaging.
Once your floor is clean and dry, you can apply either Amtico Matt or Satin Dressing to restore its protective layer and bring back that fresh, glossy finish. Apply the Dressing using a flat head applicator mop for consistency, starting with a thin coat at the edges of the furthest point from the room exit. Work your way to the main floor and leave to stand for 30 minutes – make sure the area is well-insulated. You can then apply a second coat at right angles to the first coat and allow it to dry for approximately 30 minutes until your surfaces are sparkling.
Amtico have their own guide on how to make the most of their flooring if you’d like further cleaning and care assistance.
Cleaning mistakes to avoid on your Amtico Floor
Compared to natural wood floors, Amtico flooring is easy to look after – but there are a few things you strictly shouldn’t do when cleaning LVT if you want it to stand the test of time.
Don’t use a steam mop on Amtico flooring as the heat and moisture can weaken adhesives and damage the floor’s surface. Instead, sweep with a soft brush every day, or as needed, and mop with Amtico floor cleaner once a week.
Harsh chemicals such as bleach, vinegar and ammonia [often found in floor cleaners] should be avoided. The acidity can strip the protective finish, cause discolouration and dull the surface. To ensure best results, use Amtico’s floor cleaner which is formulated especially for Amtico vinyl floors.
When mopping, be careful the mop is damp and not dripping wet. Amtico flooring is water-resistant, not waterproof, so excess water could soften the adhesive if the floor is submerged for a long time.
Stains and spillages
Accidents happen in the home, especially when there are children and pets around. Recognising the potential for spills, stains and mucky paws, Amtico flooring is designed to resist most household stains, providing you react quickly.
Use a soft cloth or kitchen towel to blot up liquids without tarnishing the surface with hard abrasives, such as scrubbing pads. If the spillage has left a stubborn grease or dirt mark, use industry approved products, like a diluted solution of Amtico Maintainer and warm water, to address the stain.
Protect your flooring for the long-term
If you want your floor to look as polished as when it was first fitted, there are preventative steps that can be taken to delay wear and tear and promote protection.
Amtico offers a broad range of hard-wearing, super-absorbent Indoor Cotton Mats to stop dirt in its tracks in a way that doesn’t detract from loved home interior. They avoid rubber-backs, making them a safe choice against staining and discolouration. We recommend positioning them at door entrances to catch dirt, grit and moisture before it’s tread through the house.
If you’re one to reshuffle furniture around the house, make sure you put felt pads under any furniture legs to prevent scuffs and dents when household items are moved.
Overtime UV rays can fade your flooring if it’s in direct sunlight. You can control the level of sun exposure with blinds and curtains in bright rooms – in fact, we have a variety of wall coverings from leading supplier of premium interior window treatments, SilentGliss, available in our showroom.
Where to buy Amitco cleaning products
From us! At Langan Carpets, we stock the full range of Amtico Floorcare products including the Maintainer, Stripper, Dressing [Matt and Satin], Cleaning pad, Protective felt pads, Cotton mats and more.
For pricing and availability enquiries, email us on enquiries@langancarpets.co.uk or drop into our Amtico One Showroom in Mere Green – we’re always happy to help you choose the right products for your floor.
If you’re not local to the area, you can find your nearest Amtico retailer who should supply the products here.
One step closer to achieving your dream home
After more than 30 years flooring the homes of the West Midlands and beyond, we understand no two homes are the same and your personal taste and desire for quality must be satisfied.
Whether you need maintenance advice, product recommendations or any other flooring request, our experienced team of installers are trained in every aspect of the trade to ensure your interior visions are achieved.