A good floor can really make a room – it can accent a look or make furniture stand out. There’s a variety of flooring materials available, such as hardwood or tile, but an innovative new option has been gaining popularity: hybrid flooring.
How to clean hybrid flooring? You’ll need to sweep or vacuum once a day to remove loose dirt and debris. Then mop once a week with water and a pH-neutral cleaner. Easy, right?
If you’ve got gorgeous hybrid floors, don’t skimp on maintenance. Read on to learn how to clean hybrid flooring.
What is Hybrid Flooring?
The hybrid floor entered the market in 2019, and has since gained popularity for its versatility, durability, and affordability. The material consists of plastic such as PVC mixed with wood and/or limestone backing.
There are four layers to hybrid planks, namely:
- Protective layer
- Aesthetic layer
- Core/backing layer
- Pre-adhered layer
How Often to Clean Hybrid Floors
AS SOON AS POSSIBLE: Clean up any spills and stains with a damp cloth.
DAILY: Sweep or vacuum.
WEEKLY: Mop with water and a pH-neutral cleaner.
And of course, you can always leave cleaning your hybrid floors to a professional home cleaning service!
How to Clean Hybrid Flooring
If you’re searching for “how to clean hybrid laminate flooring” or “how to clean hybrid vinyl flooring”, good news! They’re both the same thing – just another name to call hybrid floors. And you can clean hybrid floors.
Daily cleaning
Use a soft-bristled broom or a vacuum to get rid of dust and dirt. You can even use a combination of both – sweep first, then go over the surface with a vacuum afterwards.
Weekly cleaning
Mix in a neutral cleaning agent with warm water, then dip a mop into the solution. Wring out most of the moisture – you only need a damp mop, not a wet one.
Start mopping the corner furthest from the exit and work your way backwards, one side to another. This gives you an efficient cleaning route without trapping you inside the room.
Let your floors air dry once you’re done. You can switch on a fan to speed up the process.
Can You Use a Steam Cleaner on Hybrid Floors?
Nope! The use of a steam cleaner on hybrid floors is highly discouraged. While the material is waterproof and temperature-resistant, steam cleaners may still cause warping or penetrate and loosen the adhesive.
Pros and Cons of a Hybrid Floor
Like all other materials, there are advantages and disadvantages to hybrid flooring. Weigh these carefully when selecting your floor material, and choose which is best suited for your home.
Benefits of hybrid floors
A hybrid floor is an excellent choice for several reasons, such as:
Durable material: These floors are resilient and hard-wearing even under high-traffic conditions. They are waterproof, temperature-resistant, and have moderate scratch resistance.
Cost: Hybrid floors are more affordable than traditional hardwood or engineered floors, and require fewer materials with high carbon footprints. There’s also a lower upfront labour cost and repair cost.
Ease of installation: The material comes pre-adhered, which means it does not need nails or glue to install. This makes the laying process quick and efficient, and also means replacing or repairing individual planks is easier.
Cleaning: Much like vinyl floors, hybrid planks are straightforward to clean – just a combination of sweeping/vacuuming, and mopping.
Disadvantages of hybrid floors
Of course, this flooring material isn’t perfect – there are downsides to using hybrid flooring, including:
Foundation requirements: Your subfloor cannot deviate by more than 3mm per 2m, otherwise the material will be difficult to install. Floating floors (including hybrid flooring) will raise the overall height of your floor, which is something to keep in mind.
Inauthentic appearance: Cheaper versions of hybrid floorboards will look obviously artificial, which will have an impact on their aesthetic appeal.
Discolouration: Prolonged exposure to direct sunlight or rubber products might cause discolouration in some planks. Be mindful of this, especially if you’re planning on using hybrid floors in a room with heavy furniture that will require protectors on the furniture legs.
Hybrid vs Laminate vs Vinyl Flooring
The key difference between the three types of synthetic floor is the material they’re made of. Vinyl is made from fibreglass or PVC, while laminate is a wood by-product with a polyurethane coating.
Hybrid flooring combines elements of the two – plastic mixed with wood by-product or limestone pressed into layers.
Maintaining Hybrid Flooring
Have mats by your entryways to collect most of the dust and dirt before they can reach your floors. A mat will go a long way to protect your floor from grime – all the more if you institute a “no outdoor shoes” policy inside your home.
For heavy furniture, use felt pads on the furniture legs to avoid dents and scratches on the surface. If you have pets, keep their nails clipped to avoid scratching.
Do not use abrasive cleaners or steel wool, which could damage the surface. Avoid using wax as well, since this can leave a residue and dull the appearance of your floor.
Vinegar is an acidic compound, and is not recommended for cleaning hybrid floors.
