Karndean flooring is a type of LVT flooring known for its quality, durability, and easy maintenance. If you are looking for a robust flooring solution then this is it. But, what most people forget is that you do have to put effort in to keep your flooring clean!
Therefore, in this guide, I look at how to clean Karndean flooring including exploring its properties, and a simple cleaning routine you can work into your everyday schedule.
Composition and Surface Characteristics
Let’s take a look at the composition of Karndean flooring and its innate characteristics before learning how to clean Karndean flooring. This type of LVT is made from five different layers including:
- 2 PVC backing layers.
- 1x high-definition aesthetic layer.
- 1x clear PVC embossed wear layer.
- 1x PU protective layer.
The backing layers add depth and durability and allow things like adhesive to be added if needed for installation. Next, the high-definition aesthetic layer is what contains the printed pattern and colors. For example, you can get click Karndean flooring that emulates real wood or stone.
Ontop of this there is an embossed PVC wear layer which further improves the durability and what gives resistance to foot traffic. Lastly, there is a top PU protective layer which gives the waterproofing and protection against things like UV rays.
So, for cleaning, Karndean flooring is relatively simple – it has a smooth surface so hoovering, dusting, and mopping are all easy. Additionally, it’s waterproof so you can comfortably use a mop and water without risk of damaging the flooring.
Everyday Cleaning Routine
Dirt, grime, and spills are typically more visible on LVT flooring like Karndean as opposed to flooring like carpets. Therefore, where possible, I advise cleaning your Karndean flooring daily.
The process takes between 5-10 minutes so don’t worry about losing hours of your day cleaning! We can separate the process into three parts – dusting, mopping, and drying.
Part 1 – Dusting / Hoovering
I see many people mopping their floors directly without dusting or hoovering first. Don’t do this! It’s important to try and get all the debris and dirt up first so that it doesn’t get trapped in your mop.
You can use either a soft-bristled brush or a vacuum cleaner to dust your Karndean floor and prepare it for mopping. If you are using a vacuum, check the manufacturer’s guidelines to make sure that it is suitable for use with LVT flooring.
Part 2 – Mopping
Once you have dusted the floor it is now ready to mop. You can mop simply with hot water, but using a pH-neutral cleaning agent will yield better results and help remove any tough stains.
Use approximately 50ml of cleaning solution to 8-10 liters of water and gently mop your floor. Make sure that you wring off excess water before applying your mop to the floor. Although Karndean flooring is waterproof, you don’t want to needlessly splash excess water onto the tiles as it will increase the drying time.
You may find that you need to apply more pressure to remove tough stains and if they don’t budget, try using a non-abrasive pad and scrub the floor by hand in the stained areas.
Part 3 – Drying
Because of the smooth top surface of Karndean flooring, it is more slippery compared to carpet. As a result, you have to let it dry thoroughly before walking on the floor again. Let the flooring dry naturally and don’t try to dry it by hand as this could cause smearing.
As you need to let it dry, consider when you want to mop the floor too. Ideally, you want to do it at a time when you know no one will want to walk on the floor and potentially undo your hard work!
Periodic Refreshing
When looking at how to clean Karndean flooring you have to consider periodic refreshments too. If you clean your floor daily or several times a week you can keep it in great condition. However, every so often, we advise “refreshing” your floor to help it keep its luster and original quality.
This should be done once a year or every 18 months depending on the foot traffic and how much wear and tear the floor is subject to. For Karndean flooring, there is a special refreshing kit you can buy which includes a removal solution to get rid of floor polish and dirt, and a refresh solution that revitalized the protective layer.
Keep Your Karndean Flooring Looking Immaculate With Regular Cleaning
Although Karndean flooring has some inherent qualities such as durability, a PU protective layer, and waterproofing, you still have to take care of it and clean it regularly. Creating a regular cleaning routine including hoovering, dusting, and mopping will make sure that your LVT flooring always looks immaculate and as good as the day it was installed.
