If your vinyl flooring is starting to show scratches from shoes, pets, or heavy furniture, there's an easy, cost-effective way to make it look like new.

Q: We installed Armstrong black-and-white checkerboard vinyl almost two years ago. I can't keep it clean. I vacuum and then use a Shark steamer with either vinegar and water or floor cleaner ...

Vinyl plank floors are popular in part because they're easy to clean. Still, it's easy to make mistakes when sweeping, mopping, and vacuuming these floors.

proves difficult to remove| DEAR HELOISE: Help! I have an ink stain on vinyl floor covering and cannot find anything to take it out. A lanolin grease cleaner that mechanics use didn't do the job.