Most people often associate vacuums with cleaning carpets, but if you have vinyl flooring in your home, you should be using one of the best shark vacuums for vinyl plank floors so that you can keep them looking shiny and new for years to come. Vinyl floors are very durable and you can maintain them for many years. However, for this to happen, you have to make sure you keep them clean and well-maintained.
Although there are no vacuums that have been designed specifically for cleaning vinyl floors, you can buy a quality vacuum for cleaning bare floors. Finding the best vacuum for vinyl floors isn’t an easy task. There are different types of vacuums that you have to consider first. An upright, stick, or robot are among the most common choices. Your goal should be to find which one suits your home best. You can use vacuums to either dry or wet clean – or even both. You can choose between corded or cordless depending on the portability you need and the storage space you have. All these are important features you need to consider when choosing your vacuum cleaner.
What is Vinyl Flooring?
Most people confuse vinyl floors with laminate floors. One thing they both have in common is their synthetic flooring types that are more affordable than hard floors. However, there are many differences that separate these two types of floors. Vinyl floors are made with pure synthetic and are 100% waterproof. It’s because of this feature that makes vinyl floors perfect for any room in your home – even in the bathroom or laundry room or the basement. Vinyl floors are also very durable, but you have to make sure you take proper care of them. Using the best shark vacuums for vinyl planks floors is exactly how you can make sure you keep your vinyl floors clean and dust-free.
Different Types of Vinyl Flooring
There are a few modern types of vinyl flooring you can choose from including vinyl planks, vinyl tiles, and luxury vinyl flooring.
Vinyl planks are a very common type of vinyl flooring that look similar to wood planks but are much easier to clean. A vacuum for cleaning vinyl planks will be more effective and work much better on vinyl than on hardwood floors.
Vinyl tiles look more like your ordinary tiles or stone and it’s the most common type of vinyl flooring. Its synthetic made and is scratch resistant.
Luxurious vinyl flooring is mostly found as plank type or tiles, but is thicker than your ordinary vinyl flooring. This kind of flooring is much more durable and sturdier than your normal vinyl flooring, but it’s also much more expensive than any other vinyl flooring.
Benefits and Downside of Vinyl Floors
Just like everything else, vinyl floors have their good and bad. Before you choose to put this type of flooring in your home, there are a few pros and cons you need to consider:
Benefits
- Vinyl floors are scratch-resistant so you don’t have to worry about your vacuum scratching the floor
- You can use the modern vinyl flooring in any room in your house – from your bathroom to the basement, because it’s 100% waterproof (although flooding will still damage them)
- This type of floor is much more affordable than tile or hard floors
- It’s a versatile synthetic floor that can have any design or shape
- Very easy to clean and take care of, especially if you’re using the right vacuum for cleaning vinyl plank floors
Downside
- Luxury vinyl flooring is much more expensive than other vinyl floorings
- Can easily wear out if you don’t take good care of it
- If you use the wrong vacuum or mishandle the floor, it can easily rip and tear
Comparison Table for the Best Shark Vacuums For Vinyl Plank Floors In 2020
| Vacuum | Features | Check on Amazon |
|---|---|---|
| Shark Navigator Lift-Away NV356E | - Portable and versatile - Large dust cup - Brush roll shutoff - HEPA filter - Microfiber pads | Click Here to View Price |
| Shark Rocket Duoclean Ultra-Light Corded Bagless | - Duoclean technology - Pet multi-tool - LED lights - Bristle brush roll - Powerful suction - Motorized floor nozzle | Click Here to View Price |
| Shark Flex Dual Ultra-Light Corded Vacuum HV391 | - Multiflex and duoclean technology - Pet multi-tool - Anti-allergen complete seal | Click Here to View Price |
| Shark Sonic Duo VV500 | - 1000 scrubs per minute - Non-toxic cleaning detergent - Airglide maneuverability - Microfiber washable pads | Click Here to View Price |
| Shark Rocket DeluxePro Ultra-Light Corded Stick Vacuum | - 30 ft cord - Motorized floor nozzle - Pet multi-tool - Crevice tool - Wand | Click Here to View Price |
Using this vacuum is very easy and you’ll have no problems maintaining your home with it. It has lift-away technology that allows you to separate the unit and the canister by just pressing a button. Nobody likes to empty the canister and have all the dust you just vacuumed shoot back into the air, so a well designed canister is always a positive.
With this vacuum, you don’t have to worry about making scratches on your floor. It has swivel steering that gives you excellent control when you’re maneuvering through your home as you clean. Overall, this is an excellent choice for a vinyl floor cleaning machine.
Pros
- You can control the motorized brush with the press of a button
- The swivel steering gives you plenty of control
- Lift-Away Technology
- Lightweight and portable
- Has a HEPA filter that is effective at removing dust and dirt
- Very effective suction and design
Cons
- It’s a bit heavy
Verdict
A great and portable versatile vacuum that you can easily use and maintain. You’ll be able to clean your home effortlessly with ease and efficiency.
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Shark Rocket Duoclean Ultra-Light Corded Bagless
It has a 25 foot power cord that gives you the freedom to even clean your entire staircase without having to look for a different power outlet. This vacuum has LED lights on the floor nozzle and the handheld to help you spot dirt in dark corners and under furniture and beds. It’s equipped with a pet multi-tool that helps to remove pet hair on different surfaces around your home and a crevice tool to reach dirt and dust in tight places on your sofa, between cushions, and in your car seat. The mini motorized head is very helpful when you want to clean your stairs and it makes cleaning easier overall.
Pros
- LED lights
- The pet multi-tool is great at removing pet hairs
- The motorized head makes it easy to clean stairs
- Easy to store on the mounted wall system
- Great on various surfaces
- Soft brushes are perfect for vinyl plank floors, tile, and even carpets
Cons
- Hair can get tangled in the dual-rollers
Verdict
An excellent upright and handheld vacuum that can make it easier to clean different types of surfaces. The dual-rollers are very effective in cleaning deeply embedded dirt in your carpet and on your vinyl flooring.
*If you’d like an in-depth review on the Shark Rocket DuoClean, click here!
Shark Flex Dual Ultra-Light Corded Vacuum HV391
The anti-allergen complete seal technology ensures your home is free of dust, dirt, allergens, and even the finest particles. This vacuum is also made with active-glide technology that allows for smooth maneuverability on your carpet and floor while still maintaining great suction throughout your cleaning session.
Pros
- The swivel head makes it easy to use
- It has a long 30 ft cord which gives you that extra needed reach for those hard to reach corners and spaces
- Filter is very effective – 99.9% of dust and allergens captured
- Very easy to switch from carpet mode to bare floor mode
Cons
- Hair gets caught in the midshaft or head
- The dustbin is small and might fill quickly
Verdict
A very flexible and maneuverable vacuum that you can use as an upright or handheld vacuum. It’s easy to use on carpets and bare floors with very powerful suction power.
Shark Sonic Duo ZZ500
Two scrubbing heads ensure all the dirt and grime is removed from your vinyl floors or other hard surfaces in your home. This vacuum makes 1000 scrubs per minute! Talk about time saved! This leaves your floors with a nice glossy finish and sheen. This vacuum also has other features such as washable microfiber pads and LED lights that will help you see under your beds, furniture, and other dark or difficult to see areas in your home.
Pros
- It does an impressive 1000 scrubs per minute
- Leaves your floors with a glossy and clean finish
- The swivel steering helps you to easily navigate around obstacles
- The washable microfiber pads reduce cost
Cons
- It’s expensive to replace the detergent
- Mixed reviews
Verdict
This duo cleaning vacuum uses two modes of cleaning to ensure your carpet and floors are properly cleaned. It has great maneuverability that gives you all the control you need to thoroughly clean your home.
Shark Rocket DeluxePro Ultra-Light Corded Stick Vacuum
It also has a pet multi-tool that you can use to remove pet hair on different surfaces and a duster crevice tool which allows you to reach small spaces and clean tight spots around the house. Other attachments that come with this vacuum include a motorized floor nozzle and a handheld vacuum that comes in handy when cleaning your stairs and high places in your home.
Pros
- Very easy to clean the filters
- Lots of attachments
- Handheld vacuum option
- Long 30 ft cord
- Pet multi-tool included
- Great choice for pet owners
- Has amazing suction power
- The bagless canister is easy to clean and economical
- Lightweight and flexible
Cons
- The crevice tool can become loose
- It easily gets clogged
Verdict
A lightweight and flexible upright vacuum that you can also use as a handheld for better cleaning of your home. It comes with useful attachments that certainly come in handy when cleaning different areas around your home.
Remember to always consider what will work best for your vinyl floors when you’re trying to choose a vacuum cleaner. Vinyl floors feel very luxurious and they’re more resistant to scratches and damage than other types of floors, so if you take good care of it, you won’t have to replace the floor for a very long amount of time.
The Shark Navigator Lift-Away NV356E is one of the best shark vacuums for vinyl plank floors. It’ll help you take care of your vinyl floor and keep it looking clean and shiny for years to come!
Laura
Laura Smith is an author and philanthropist; runs several trust funds and teaches people in different forums the importance of developing actionable solutions, to help in the conservation of energy while limiting environmental degradation. She is passionate about everything tech and has written different reviews on a myriad of electrical gadgets. Technology and environmental degradation are a major challenge around the globe today, and many companies produce gadgets without a guideline on how to dispose of, after they have served their purpose. Laura has thus dedicated her life to finding eco-friendly solutions in the disposition of electrical gadgets in the middle of technological advancements.
ive had the shark navigator for a few years now, still works as great as the day i bought it!
Glad to hear that! The Navigator lineup is very reliable.