Linoleum floors have been around for over a hundred years. When you think about all the practical qualities it has, there’s no wonder why.
It’s the best flooring option for those who are more environmentally-cautious, it’s non-allergenic, it has antibacterial qualities that make it resistant to mold, it’s durable, and it feels better on the feet than traditional ceramic tile. The only issue that you may run into is cleaning.
Cleaning up stains on linoleum can be a pain. The good news is that there are several tried and true maintenance steps that will help you keep your floors looking great. Grab your cleaning supplies and follow this guide as we take you through how to get the job done.
What is Linoleum?
Linoleum flooring has been around for hundreds of years. A long time ago, it was seen as a luxury flooring option even though the price point for the material has always been pretty cheap.
It’s made when renewable materials such as pine resin, cork dust, and wood flour are oxidized and mounted to a canvas. The result is a beautiful and durable material that will last a long while if you take care of it.
General Maintenance
Let’s get started with general maintenance. The rule of thumb when it comes to cleaning these types of floors is less is more. They can be damaged by excessive amounts of water.
You should also stay away from ammonia-based cleaners. You don’t have to deep clean your floors every day, but you should give them a good dust mop. Loose pieces of dirt can cause scratches.
If you want to actually mop the floors, use a bucket of warm water and a cleaner that’s made with linoleum in mind. Again, you don’t want to get too much water on the floors so, ring out your mop out before you use it.
Spills and Scratches
Out of all the floor cleaning tips on this list, take this one to heart. Clean spills as soon as they happen. If you don’t, the liquid will seep down into the floors and become a stain that will be hard to work out.
You’ll have to use a nylon brush to scrub the stain. Follow it up with a good clean and polish. Black scuff marks can’t be buffed out with the brush.
You’ll have to make a baking soda paste and apply it to the areas. Let the paste sit for a second and then rinse it away with water. If the stains on your floor are especially stubborn, you’ll have to get more creative.
We can tell you that using baby oil will work. Make sure that you thoroughly rinse and dry your floors after you use it though, or things will get pretty slippery.
Polish Them
It’s a good idea to polish your floors on a normal basis to keep them clean and protect them from general wear and tear. Clean and wash the floor like any other day of the week. Once the linoleum is dry, you can apply the polish according to the instructions on the packaging.
Make sure that you don’t go over the same area more than twice with the polish. That could cause streaking which, doesn’t look pretty and will take some serious work to fix.
Cleaning Methods That Work
We mentioned using an ammonia-free cleaner up above. There are quite a few solutions that will work. Even so, it’s a good idea to test them on a small section of the floor first to see how the material reacts to it.
Water and Dish Soap
Add a few drops of your favorite dish soap into a bucket. Fill the bucket up with warm or cold water. Mix the solution around by dipping your mop into the bucket.
Remember, ring your mop out before you apply it to the linoleum. You don’t want to soak the floor. Once you’ve gone over the entire floor with your mixture, go behind it with plain warm water to rinse it.
Baking Soda and Vinegar
This cleaning method works a little differently than the one above. Instead of creating a bucket full of vinegar and baking soda, you’ll be combing the two into a spray bottle with warm water. Stir the solution until you have no more baking soda clumps before you spray the floors with it.
Let the solution sit on the linoleum for a few moments. It needs time to pull out all the grime and dirt. Dampen a tile mop with warm water and use it to work the mixture into any cracks and crevices.
Dampen the tile mop again and use it to rinse the linoleum. Be sure to let your floors dry for at least 10 minutes or so before you walk on them again.
Water and Borax
Grab a gallon bucket and fill it full of warm water. Add in two tablespoons of borax powder and use your mop to stir it together. Ring the mop out and go over the linoleum with it.
When you’re done, use a clean mop to rinse the floors with warm water.
Keep Your Linoleum Clean
Linoleum is a beautiful floor material that’s been around for centuries. Not only is it nice to look at, but it’s durable and eco-friendly as well. It can also be a pain to clean if you don’t know what you’re doing.
If you drench it with water or use the wrong cleaner, you may do tons of damage to your floor. It can be stressful, which is why some people elect to hire our cleaning service to tackle the job instead. Go here to get an instant quote on our services today.
