Cleaning your linoleum floors can be a daunting task. You have to balance between being thorough, so that you remove dirt and grime, but not making the floor slippery by over-wetting it.
Linoleum needs to be cleaned with suitable tools and ingredients. And must avoid any product which is acid-based, or abrasive, as this will damage the linoleum flooring.
This post will tell you how to clean linoleum floors with ground-in dirt safely and effectively without damaging them or getting them too wet. We’ll also give you some tips on what not to do when cleaning your flooring.
We’re going to provide instructions for both manual mopping, as well as steam mops for linoleum floors that are more heavy-duty. Read on if you want the best way of keeping your linoleum looking new.
Contents
What exactly is linoleum?
Linoleum is an artificial floor covering that is made of natural materials. The main product is made by mixing together wood powder, limestone, linseed oil (an orange-colored vegetable oil), and other ingredients to form a solid material. This mixture is pressed into sheets and cut to fit the dimensions of the floor you are looking to cover.
Now it is popular because of its durability and low price. It comes in a variety of patterns and colors and can be made with an “indoor air quality” material to minimize chemical odors.
What instruments are required to clean linoleum flooring?
To clean your linoleum floors you will need-
- A bucket filled with hot water
- A mop or sponge
- Fine-grit sandpaper (optional)
- And some mild non-abrasive cleaner.
You can use any kind of mop or sponge as long as it is not too rough on the flooring material.
Steam Mop
If you want something which is more heavy-duty than using a mop and water, you can use a steam cleaner instead. Steam cleaners do not require any cleaning solutions and only need plain tap water (without minerals in it) to produce steam via heating elements.
This makes them great for natural stone floors, which is another type of flooring that can easily be damaged by harsh chemicals.
Steam cleaners are useful in that they remove dirt, grime, and bacteria without chemicals or even water (which saves you time on having to mop up excess liquid). They’re also simple to use. All you do is fill the tank with water (and add maybe some vinegar for an extra antibacterial boost).
How to clean a linoleum floor that is yellowed or dirt?
Here’s how everyone should clean their linoleum floors-
#1 Make a mixture of one part vinegar and three parts water
Dip your mop or sponge into this mixture and wring it out so that it is damp, but not dripping. Get your floor wet by slowly mopping across it in long strokes. You should be able to tell how much water you need by the sound the mop makes as you move it across the floor.
#2 Pour the solution onto your floors
Pour the solution onto your floors, wait a few minutes for it to soak in, then mop with a sponge or cloth.
This is the best way to clean linoleum floors as you aren’t using any products which could cause damage. It’s important to make sure that your floor is damp enough, but not too wet as this will make it slippery for anyone walking on it.
If you really want a deeper cleaning solution that can remove stubborn stains, you can use baking soda. Mix one part water to three parts baking soda to form a paste.
Rub this into the flooring using a brush with stiff bristles, then leave it for around fifteen minutes before mopping up the paste with water again.
#3 Mopping
Mop the floor as you normally would, working in sections of about 4 sq ft at a time. When you’re done with one section, move to the next section until you’ve cleaned the whole room. You might have to use a brush with very fine bristles to get in the nooks and crannies.
#4 Let the floor dry
Once you’ve mopped up most of the liquid, let the floor dry completely before walking on it again. This is because your linoleum could become slippery and dangerous if you don’t.
#5 Repetition
Repeat steps 1-3 every time you want to clean your linoleum floors. This will help keep your floors looking great for years to come.
If you want to keep your linoleum looking as good as new, then you should use the vinegar and water mixture. This won’t damage the flooring at all and can be used to clean tough stains easily.
#6 Add essential oils
You can also add essential oils like lavender or lemon verbena to make your house smell nice.
Expert Tip: Never put linoleum flooring in direct sunlight for too long because it can cause discoloration over time due to UV rays breaking down the materials.
Does vinegar damage linoleum?
No. You can use vinegar to clean your mops for linoleum floors without damaging them at all. In fact, it’s recommended that you use a solution of one part water and three parts vinegar if you’re using a mop with a cloth on the end. Because this will keep the floor from becoming too wet.
Linoleum is known for being very durable, so you won’t need to worry about it getting damaged after cleaning it with vinegar. It’s safe to use on all types of linoleum flooring.
Cleaning Tips Mops for Linoleum Floors
- Sweep and vacuum your linoleum floors regularly to remove dust and dirt.
- Use a damp mop to clean the floor instead of using soap or detergent.
- Disinfect your floors with bleach or vinegar mixed with water every few weeks .
- To prevent mold, use a dehumidifier in humid climates and keep windows open for air circulation.
- Clean up spills as soon as they happen. This will help you avoid having tough stains on your floor that are difficult to get out
Final Outcome
In the end, the cleaning procedure totally depends on how you want to clean the floor. If you do it like a normal person, then you can buy any household items and start cleaning your linoleum floors. If you want to be more efficient and save time then we suggest that you use vinegar with a water mixture and rub it on the floors with a mop/sponge and let it dry.
By doing these things you can clean your floors the best way possible. And have a fresh-looking room for everyone to enjoy.
