Cleaning Vinyl Floor Mats: How to Care for Your Rug

The beautiful patterns of our vintage vinyl rugs make the perfect statement or finishing touch to your room’s decor, bringing everything together to create a cohesive space. As much charm and warmth as it infuses into your home, you want it to last. And vintage vinyl rugs will last a lifetime – as long as they’re cared for properly. Keep reading to learn about cleaning vinyl floors.

Why Learn How to Clean and Care for a Mat

Though vintage vinyl is durable, it isn’t indestructible! Proper cleaning and care of vinyl floors helps to ensure your rug looks as luxurious as it did the first day you unrolled it. Prolong the life of your rug, keep colors rich and vibrant, and safeguard against wear and tear.

How to Clean Vintage Vinyl

You have your mosaic rug beautifully set up on your kitchen floor and the unthinkable happens: you accidentally spill some of the wine from the bottle you were opening! Luckily, cleaning vinyl floors is quick and easy. To clean and get back to entertaining your guests, wipe your rug with a damp cloth. That’s all! Make sure you clean spills as soon as possible to prevent staining. For more stubborn stains, you can use diluted hand soap on a cloth or sponge.

Need to know how to clean a dusty mat? Just dust mop the floor to ensure you remove any dust or grit, and you’re good to go! You never want to use harsh scrub brushes, floor cleaning chemicals, or vacuums on vintage vinyl fabric, as they will wear off your unique pattern and cause damage.

Cleaning FAQs

What do I do if I get dirt or crumbs on my rug?

Accidents happen. As with liquid spills, you want to go ahead and wipe your rug with a cloth to get the dirt off. Then, you can clean your home’s floor as you normally would.

If I can’t use a vacuum, how will I clean pet fur off the rug?

Vintage vinyl is pet-friendly, meaning that pet hairs aren’t going to stick in or on your rug!

How often should I clean my rug?

Besides cleaning vinyl floors after spills, it’s recommended that rugs generally be cleaned/wiped every month or so.

How to Clean a Mat Kept Outdoors

As uniquely designed and customizable rugs, our vintage vinyl floor mat collections can transform your covered patio or porch into the outdoor oasis you’ve been dreaming of. Just imagine the exotic beauty of the Persian Bazaar or the warmth of a colonial rug as you lounge outdoors in the soft evening light! But don’t forget that even though they’re durable and fade-resistant in direct sunlight, they need proper cleaning, too.

Here’s how to clean vintage vinyl that’s outdoors:

  • Wipe any spills, dirt, leaves, or debris with a gentle cloth
  • If it gets wet from rain, allow the top to dry, then flip it over to let that side dry completely to prevent mold, mildew, and warping
  • Secure your mat in place to prevent damage from the elements

Make sure you’re cleaning under the vinyl floor regularly

Read more helpful FAQs here!

Vintage Vinyl Maintenance

person in sneakers standing on vinyl floor mat

Cleaning your vinyl floors is just one important part of upkeep. In addition to learning how to clean a mat, it’s crucial to know where to place it and how to care for it – especially if it’s placed in a high-traffic area of your home. We want the vintage feel of a folk art rug to be due to the one-of-a-kind design and production process, not due to wear and tear. Follow these simple tips to help your rug last a lifetime:

  • Use caution when wearing high heels – they may puncture your rug!
  • Do not drag metal or furniture across the rug or pull a chair out while someone is sitting in it to prevent damage
  • Always use felt pads with around ¼” thickness under any table and chair legs
  • We don’t recommend use on carpet, gravel, or uneven surfaces, however, it can be used on most flat surfaces – including tile or hardwood

Rug Maintenance and Placement FAQ

Which collections are safe for use on hardwood floors?

All vinyl floorcloths can be used on your hardwood floors safely. They won’t damage or discolor the wood.

How durable is vintage vinyl?

Vinyl floors are very durable with cleaning and regular maintenance. Place them in a high-traffic area like your foyer or living room with confidence because they’re certified non-slip and lay flat!

What is vintage vinyl made of?

These rugs are made with two-ply vinyl with a latex-padded backing. Each rug is UV-resistant for up to three years, non-flammable, phthalate-free, and can be placed indoors or in a controlled outdoor space.

Cleaning and Caring for Vinyl Floors

Proper cleaning and care will help maintain the vibrance of the elegant colors and patterns that caught your eye as you explored Norwegian Wood, Artisan rugs, and our other collections. Order online today or contact us if you have any more questions about caring for your rug.

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FAQs

How do I determine the right rug size after measuring my space?

How to choose an area rug size varies depending on the room and feeling you want to create in your space, such as making a statement with a large size in a living room. 

Pro tip: Choose a rug size that leaves around 10 to 24 inches of space between the rug’s edges and the room’s walls.

How do I decide the color or pattern I should choose?

Lighter colors and muted prints can often make a smaller space look larger, while darker colors can help define an intimate space. Just remember that the best color/pattern is the one that feels right for your home.

How do I clean my vintage vinyl rug?

Vintage vinyl is quick and easy to clean! Simply wipe it with a damp cloth or use diluted hand soap on a sponge for stubborn spills.

classic stars vinyl runner rug in kitchen

Classic

At a Glance: checkerboard patterns, plaids, and simple shapes like diamonds

Timeless designs that never go out of style, classic rugs work well in any home. These rugs utilize vintage styles and patterns and feature more muted colors. Think subtle or desaturated shades of blue, black, red, and ocher.

person in boots standing on mosaic tile rug

Mosaic

At a Glance: black and white square and hexagonal tile patterns

Inspired by one of the oldest art forms in history, mosaics, the mosaic rug collection features geometric designs that give the appearance of a vintage tiled floor. How to choose an area rug with a mosaic design: these statement-making designs work best in modern, minimalist, and art deco spaces.

sunburst vintage vinyl rug in front of bookshelf

American Folk Art Museum

At a Glance: Designs that mimic textiles like crochet, embroidery, and quilting

The influence of tapestries and embroideries have the ability to blend with home decor or make a statement. Folk art rugs add playful visual interest to contemporary and mid-century modern homes.

feet standing on red Persian bazaar rug

Persian Bazaar

At a Glance: Complex designs, rich colors, and unique patterns

Our Persian-style rugs were inspired by the centuries-old tradition of rug making. These one-of-a-kind styles and designs can liven up any space, from a living room to a covered patio. Wonderfully diverse, they work well with bohemian decor or even in modern homes to balance new with vintage.

wood print artisan rug with vintage chair

Artisanry

At a Glance: Shades of rich wood inspired by the halls of academia

Make all of your academia and dark academia decor dreams come true with an artisan rug. How to choose an artisan area rug: these pieces work seamlessly with wood furnishings, neutral colors, and rich blues and greens.

colonial design runner rug in hallway

Williamsburg

At a Glance: Florals, paisleys, ginghams, and muted colors

Take inspiration from historic Williamsburg with our colonial rugs. These vintage vinyl rugs easily blend with mid-century modern, contemporary, bohemian, and rustic styles.

Norwegian wood vintage vinyl rug

Norwegian Wood

At a Glance: intricate craftsmanship and a palette of wood like ash, cedar, maple, and ebony

This simple yet decorative Scandinavian style captures the rare and diverse beauty of Norwegian wood in vinyl rugs that look like wood.