We have had a beautiful vinyl flooring pattern in our kitchen and guest bath for about 12 years.  For most of those years we thought that it could only be cleaned with water and white vinegar, because that’s what we had heard from the installer.  A couple of months ago I decided to try about 1/4 teaspoon of Ajax (Comet works too) in 1 1/2 gallons of warm water.  This mixture provided just enough cleanser to spread throughout the water and loosen the dirt from the flooring without scratching it, or sudsing up the water or mop.

1. I vacuumed, then

2. mixed about 1/4 teaspoon of Ajax (Comet works too) in 1 1/2 gallons of warm water. For exceptionally dirty or greasy flooring, you may add a bit more.

3. After going over the entire floor with a saturated but wrung-out mop,

4. I went over heavy traffic areas once again, then

5. emptied the bucket with much dirtier water than when using vinegar alone.  I rinsed the mop and bucket,

6. refilled with 1 1/2 gallons of warm water, and

7. added about 3/4 cup (6 oz) white vinegar this time (1/2 cup [or 4 oz.] / gallon).

8. Wringing the saturated mop, I went over the flooring in the same way I had done with the 1/4 teaspoon of Ajax (I later found Comet to be just as effective), which not only effectively rinsed whatever cleaning agent and dirt there was remaining, but left such a shine that my wife freely remarked, “I like the way the floor shines.  I was proud of it,” after we had company that evening.

So, if you have heard that you may only use white vinegar and water when cleaning your flooring, think again, about using a very small measure of Comet or Ajax to clean, and then the white vinegar mix to bring it to a brilliant shine.  This extends just as well to ceramic floor tiling, such as we have in our entryway and utility room.