How to Clean Linoleum Floors
Welcome to our page on how to clean linoleum floors. Linoleum has traditionally been one of the most practical choices for flooring. This kind of flooring material is durable and non-allergic. It provides a gentle surface when walked on, and because of its antibacterial quality, it can resist mildew and mold. If proper maintenance regarding its cleaning is provided, linoleum can last up to thirty to forty years, even if placed in high-traffic areas at home. To maintain your linoleum floors and keep them in good shape, you mustn’t use materials that could damage them. Below are the steps and tools necessary to clean linoleum, depending on how dirty or old the flooring currently is. (See our article on how to remove linoleum floors here)
Things you will need for a quick linoleum flooring cleaning:
– Mop – a cloth or sponge can be used
– Bucket
– Vacuum cleaner
– Hot water
– Old towels
– Dish soap that is mild
– Rubber gloves which are optional
List of the steps for a fast linoleum clean-up:
1. Clean the area by vacuuming the floor. Make sure to include the parts where the dust gathers, like the corners and those under the appliances and cabinets.
2. Fill the bucket with hot water and then add six to seven drops of dish soap.
3. Dip the mop into the water mixture and make sure to wring properly so that excess water does not go to the floor. It can be an advantage if you use a self-wringing sponge or cloth.
4. You must work on one section of the floor at a time. You can rinse the mop in the water mixture and wring it all over again for each section until you have finished mopping the whole area.
5. Pour out the water mixture from the bucket and then pour in hot water until the bucket is full.
6. Put in the mop in the clean hot water and do a thorough wringing.
7. Do all over again the repetitive rinsing and mopping using the clean and hot water. Be sure to work per section of the floor.
8. Dry the floors using old towels. The linoleum has grooves that can absorb liquid, so it is important to dry it thoroughly.
For good maintenance, the floor must undergo deep scrubbing at least once or even twice annually. This is most important to be done if there are deep grooves.
In order to do a deep clean-up of the linoleum floor, you will need to prepare the following materials:
– Mop – a cloth or sponge may be used as an alternative
– Bucket
– Scrub brush whose bristle is made of nylon
– Vacuum cleaner
– Mild dish soap
– Hot water
– Towels – old ones can be used
– Rubber gloves – this can be optional
How to clean linoleum flooring when doing a deep cleaning
1. Clean the floor using the vacuum cleaner and make sure to include the areas under the refrigerator or other appliances, cabinets, and corners where the dust gather.
2. Pour approximately six to seven drops of the dish soap into a bucket filled with hot water to make a mixture.
3. Dip the scrub brush into the water mixture and scrub the floor. Make sure to clean the floor in a circular motion.
Repeatedly dip the scrub in the water mixture as needed and continue to scrub the floor until the whole floor area is clean.
4. After the floor has been finished with scrubbing, pour out the water from the bucket and then replace it with clean hot water.
5. Continue to rinse the floor with repetitive cleansing and use the towels for drying the cleaned floor.
How to Clean Old Linoleum Floors
The quality of the linoleum as it ages may not stay the same including its shine and appearance. Several years may pass and the shine of the linoleum may fade due to wearing or improper cleaning. When this happens, you may need to do some finishing touches in order to restore the quality of the linoleum.
Linoleum can be susceptible to moisture, especially in places where water tends to splash or spills occur such as the bathroom or kitchen. In addition, linoleum can become dented by furniture legs and even high heels in high traffic areas such as the kitchen or dining area. If the damage is too severe and you wish to remove the linoleum altogether, visit this page for additional kitchen flooring ideas.
Below are the essential things that you may need for the restoration of old linoleum floors:
– Hot water
– Bucket
– Mop
– Old towels
– Ammonia
– Floor wax – make sure that it is made of good quality
– Clean cloth or soft rags
– Rubber gloves – this is not optional but rather recommended
In doing the restoration of the finish of the floor, follow the steps below:
1. Apply the ammonia directly to floor in a large area by using the mop. Be sure that you will be doing this according to the sections of the floor. Be cautious in using the ammonia because it is a dangerous substance. Ammonia must never be combined with other cleaners.
2. Let it settle for a couple of minutes.
3. Utilize the nylon scrub brush in scrubbing the floor. See to it that you scrub the whole floor area with ammonia.
4. Following the scrubbing, get the residue with a use of a mop that has been dipped in a bucket filled with hot water.
5. Use the towels in wiping to dry the floor.
6. Apply floor wax to the floor. Be sure to follow the instructions as directed. Usually, the liquid floor wax is spread evenly using a cloth or rag. The first coating of the floor wax is dried completely before it is followed by the second coating. Good quality liquid floor wax suitable for linoleum floors can be obtained at janitorial supply stores.
7. Do not wash the floor unless 24 hour has passed.
For general cleaning, lukewarm or cool water can be used with a mop. If there may be stains or spills, it is important that you clean the area right away with cool water and then dry it with a towel before people walk through it. Proper maintenance is essential for the linoleum to last several years.
You can put doormats at the entrance so that footwear soles can be cleaned prior to stepping into the linoleum. Protection can be done with regards to making sure they have protection underneath to prevent damage from water. It is also vital that any plants be moved from time to time so the linoleum can be exposed to light to prevent the flooring from becoming yellowish.
We hope this article on how to clean linoleum floors has been helpful to you. If you would like to see more DIY tips and information about popular types of flooring for a remodel check out this page.
