How To Wash Linoleum At Home So That It Shines, How To Deal With Stubborn Dirt And Other Recommendations

2024 Author: Bailey Albertson | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 12:53

How to wash linoleum at home so that it shines

Linoleum is practical, inexpensive, and easy to lay on the floor. A wide range of colors, patterns and even surface structures will allow you to choose such a coating for any room in the house. But most often we meet him in the corridor and in the kitchen, that is, in rooms where pollution appears the fastest. Even such resistant material can quickly lose its attractive appearance, becoming covered with spots, cracks, scratches and abrasions. What to do to avoid this and prolong the life of the linoleum coating, we will discuss in this article.

Content

• 1 A few words about linoleum and the features of its operation
• 2 How does the indoor microclimate affect linoleum?
• 3 The main enemies of linoleum

• 4 Learning to properly care for linoleum

  • 4.1 Which mop is best to use
  • 4.2 How to get rid of a specific smell
  • 4.3 How to wash linoleum to make it shine
  • 4.4 Video tutorial: how to update faded linoleum
  • 4.5 How to clean linoleum in the kitchen
  • 4.6 Cleaning the floor after renovation
  • 4.7 Can I use a steam mop (steam cleaner)
  • 4.8 Video: how to wash linoleum
• 5 Typical damage to linoleum and how to fix them yourself
• 6 Prevention and protection against mechanical damage

A few words about linoleum and the features of its operation

The word "linoleum" comes from the Latin linum - linen, linen and oleum - oil. Nowadays, it is mainly made from polymeric materials, practical and inexpensive, due to which it has a lot of advantages:

• resistance to humidity, temperature, many mechanical influences;
• ease of maintenance during operation;
• low price;
• ease of installation;
• durability;
• high heat and sound insulation properties.

Such a popular and versatile material could not be ignored by optimizers, and now there are several types of linoleum on the market, divided by the manufacturing method.

1. Natural linoleum is durable, wear-resistant, environmentally friendly. It is fireproof and antistatic. It is in a higher price position relative to other types.

   

   Natural linoleum is durable and environmentally friendly

2. Polyvinyl chloride linoleum (PVC) - the most common and cheapest of all types, very practical and easy to maintain. Of the shortcomings, it can only be noted that at low temperatures it becomes brittle, loses its plasticity.

   

   PVC linoleum is very popular due to its cheapness and good quality

3. Glyphthalic or alkyd linoleum loses to PVC due to its greater fragility: cracks often appear on it. For the kitchen and the corridor, this view is not worth taking, but it is well suited for the bedroom.

   

   Glyphthal linoleum has good characteristics, but is inferior to PVC in plasticity

4. Relin linoleum, or rubber, plastic and waterproof. Consists of two layers, the total thickness of which is from 3 to 6 mm.

5. Colloxylin linoleum is produced from nitrocellulose, which provides flexibility and moisture resistance to the coating, while imparting a characteristic gloss. This species is not fire-resistant, so it has no place in the kitchen.

   

   Colloxylion linoleum has a characteristic gloss

Linoleum is also divided into 2 types according to the presence or absence of a base. The unsupported coating consists of several layers and is highly wear-resistant. There is a wide range of colors and patterns. The base material can be of two types:

• with a foam base - very flexible linoleum, with high durability rates, suitable for residential premises and has a large palette of colors and patterns;

  

  Foam-based linoleum is strong and durable

• on a fabric (jute) basis - suitable for rooms where a large crowd of people is not expected and good thermal insulation is required, the wear resistance of the coating depends on the thickness of the protective layer.

  

  Linoleum on a fabric or jute base is perfect for a bedroom and a nursery

How does the indoor microclimate affect linoleum?

Linoleum flooring is so versatile that it can be placed in any room, be it an apartment, a summer residence or outbuildings. The service life of the material and its appearance will directly depend on the operating conditions, including the temperature and humidity inside the room, that is, its microclimate. These characteristics can vary greatly depending on the season.

1. In premises intended for permanent residence (house, apartment), a constant level of humidity and temperature is usually maintained, suitable for residents. It is also optimal for the operation of linoleum. But in a country house or outbuilding, the temperature is almost the same as outside - it is hot in summer and cold in winter, and the humidity does not depend on the forecasts of the Hydrometeorological Center. In such conditions, linoleum sometimes softens, then hardens and becomes brittle, which quickly deteriorates and loses its qualities.

2. A linoleum covering, laid on a concrete or wooden floor, mounted in accordance with all building rules on top of a high-quality waterproofing layer, will last long enough. But if we are talking about a room with a hastily put together flooring without hydro and thermal insulation, then linoleum in such conditions will quickly lose its plasticity and strength.

   

   The term and quality of linoleum operation directly depends on the floor on which it was laid

3. The residential building maintains a high temperature during the cold season due to heating. Condensation will inevitably form from this. If it is frosty outside, then the excess moisture freezes. But in warmer weather, they concentrate indoors, especially on the floor. Linoleum accumulates moisture, which makes it tarnish, becomes vulnerable to mechanical damage, and begins to exfoliate.

The main enemies of linoleum

First of all, we will figure out which means cause damage to linoleum, and set them aside.

1. Do not use hot water to clean the floor. Of course, it copes with dirt more easily, but also causes swelling of the linoleum.

2. Soda is great for cleaning surfaces, but not linoleum. Alkali, which is part of its composition, creates microcracks on the surface, which eventually expand and accumulate dirt.

   

   Despite all the positive qualities, soda is not suitable for washing linoleum

3. Any abrasive product - washing powder or cleaning powder - will scratch the surface.
4. Do not use bleach (especially chlorine) and solvents. They discolor the pattern and can even erode linoleum to the ground.

If your floor has tough stains to clean, try the tips below.

Learning to properly care for linoleum

Wet cleaning is a necessary step in keeping your home clean. And although linoleum does not require such careful handling as some floor coverings, there are certain rules for cleaning it.

1. Use only soft cloths to wash linoleum. Hard material will leave scratches on the surface. After cleaning the floor, either discard the used rag or thoroughly wash, rinse and dry. But it's better to take a new one.

   

   To wash linoleum, use only soft, clean rags.

2. For daily wet cleaning of floors without heavy dirt, wipe them with a cloth dampened with warm water. Weekly cleaning requires great care: use a soap solution to wash linoleum - rub 100 g of laundry soap on a grater and dissolve in slightly warm water.
3. For stubborn dirt, use a solution of liquid soap and vodka. For 1 liter of water, you will need 1 tsp. liquid soap and 200 ml of vodka. Wash the floor with this solution, especially carefully wipe very dirty areas, and then wash with clean water and wipe dry.
4. The cheapest and easiest linoleum cleaner is water with vinegar (1 glass per bucket of water). Use it for daily cleaning of the area where food is prepared and received. In other rooms, wash the floor once a week. This method will save you from stains on the floor.
5. Cheaper than vinegar is only the water in which you boiled potatoes. Just remember to cool it down to room temperature.
6. If you spill wax on the linoleum, carefully scrape it up with a scraper. Wipe the remaining stain with petrol and immediately rinse the floor with warm water.
7. If there are a lot of grass marks on the linoleum in the hallway, wipe them with water and a little bleach. Immediately after that, blot the area to be treated with a napkin well dipped in lemon juice.

Which mop is best to use

The mop is very convenient to use when cleaning floors. But since linoleum can be easily scratched, you should carefully consider the choice of this device.

1. On the cleaning surface of the mop, there should be no protruding hard elements that could cause scratches. Ideally, it should be covered with a rubber pad or soft cloth.
2. It is advisable to get two mops: wide and narrow. With the first, you can easily clean up large rooms, and the second is useful for cleaning narrow rooms and hard-to-reach places.

3. Now PVA mops have become very popular, combining ease of use and thoroughness in removing dirt. A hard foam rubber sponge is fixed on their washing surface, which, when interacting with water, becomes soft and does not scratch the surface. Also, the mop is equipped with a wring mechanism, which means that you no longer have to bend over and get your hands dirty.

   

   PVA mops are ideal for washing linoleum

4. If you have anti-slip linoleum, we recommend using the model with plastic bristles. It perfectly wipes off dirt, but does not harm the coating. It is better if the mop has a non-retractable handle so that you do not have to press on it again when cleaning.

   

   The plastic lint mop is the best choice for cleaning linoleum with anti-slip coating

How to get rid of a specific smell

The unpleasant smell of new linoleum is caused by the substances used in its manufacture. They are released from the pores opened along the cut line, mixing with air molecules. The sensations are not the most pleasant, but usually the smell disappears by itself after about a week. This process can be accelerated if you don't have time to wait.

1. Unroll the new linoleum roll and spread it on the floor with the underlay facing up. After 2-3 days, the smell should completely disappear. This method has another advantage: the linoleum sheet will straighten, soften, and it will be much easier for you to lay it.
2. If the linoleum is already installed, light some candles in the room. Chemical compounds that give off an unpleasant odor burn quickly over an open fire.

3. Take regular table vinegar and process linoleum slices with it. Then dissolve it in water (1-2 glasses per bucket of water) and wash the entire floor. Non-corrosive acid neutralizes unpleasant odors. Remember to ventilate the area after processing.

   

   Wash the linoleum with a vinegar solution to get rid of the specific odor

How to wash linoleum to make it shine

Over time, the flooring can fade, even if you wet mop it daily. But I really want the linoleum to shine like new. You can return it to its former freshness and radiance, using the recommendations.

1. Before washing the linoleum, thoroughly sweep the floor with a broom or vacuum. This will remove sand and dust, which, when washed, will leave streaks and small scratches that are clearly visible on a smooth surface.
2. Change the water as often as possible, especially if the floor is dirty. Otherwise, you will simply smudge the dirt without achieving a shine.

3. Floor cleaning fluids are easy to find at hardware stores. Among them there are those designed specifically for linoleum. They contain surfactants that cleanse and gently polish the coating.

   

   You can wash linoleum to shine using a special tool

4. You can use a simple folk recipe. Dilute milk with cold water in a 1: 1 ratio and wipe the floor with this solution. Then walk again with a rag soaked in clean water.

   

   Folk remedy for washing linoleum - a solution of equal parts milk and water

5. Linoleum shine can be achieved by rubbing it with linseed oil or drying oil, using woolen fabric. After processing, polish the polished area thoroughly with a piece of silk. But this method is traumatic, as the floor will be very slippery.

Video tutorial: how to update faded linoleum

How to clean linoleum in the kitchen

The kitchen is the most visited place in the apartment. And due to the specifics of the room, the floors in it are most often contaminated. Contamination can be caused by:

• tea and coffee;
• fat;
• spilled sugary drinks;
• juices.

In addition, you can leave black stripes with your shoes or spill iodine on the floor while working on a cut. And if children like to walk in the kitchen, then the linoleum will turn into a canvas for the future work of art, and you will have to wipe off the traces of ink and markers.

1. It is better not to touch old coffee or tea stains if they are in an inconspicuous area. But if they are in a conspicuous place, you will have to remove them using gasoline or kerosene. Wipe the stains very gently as these substances are harmful to the coating. Try not to go outside the dirt to prevent the appearance of a fading stain.
2. If you don't wipe the greasy stains right away, ammonia will help you get rid of them.
3. You can also use dish soap. Dissolve quite a bit in water (1-2 tablespoons per bucket) and wash the entire floor. This will help you get rid of both greasy and sugary juice and soda stains. No need to overdo it, so as not to deal with laundering soap stains later.
4. Black stripes from shoes can be easily wiped off with a regular eraser.
5. Wipe iodine stains with camphor alcohol until they disappear completely.
6. Only fine sandpaper can remove ink and felt-tip pen from linoleum. Gently rub it over the stain without going beyond it. When the dirt has disappeared, buff the treated area with a piece of woolen cloth.

Linoleum in the kitchen is most often exposed to mechanical damage and dirt.

We clean the floor after renovation

Preventing a nuisance is often easier than correcting its consequences. Cover the entire floor with newspaper before starting repairs in a room with linoleum. So you will protect yourself from the subsequent long and time-consuming cleaning. But if the repair has already ended and there are piles of rubbish on the linoleum floor, start with dry cleaning.

1. Carefully remove all debris and sweep the floor with a broom. Just in case, you can additionally walk with a vacuum cleaner. Now wash the floor with clean water, and then with water and a few drops of vinegar or potassium permanganate.

   

   Before you start cleaning the linoleum after the repair, carefully remove all debris with a vacuum cleaner

2. After repairs, foam may remain on the floor. It sticks to linoleum no worse than to other surfaces. Take a very sharp knife and scrape off the foam, just very carefully so as not to damage the flooring. Place a cloth dampened in water over the remaining stain and leave it on for at least a day or overnight. During this time, the foam should soak. Better yet, while the stain is still fresh, use a special foam remover. You can buy it at a hardware store. After applying it, thoroughly wipe the linoleum with a damp, clean cloth.
3. Wipe off paint that often remains on the floor after renovation with nail polish remover. The same applies to nail polish, which constantly strives to spill onto linoleum. Remove the stain carefully so that the liquid does not interact with the coating for too long, then wipe the treated area with a damp, clean cloth.
4. A solution of bleach in a large amount of water (literally 50 g of substance per bucket) will help you get rid of rust and mold. If you are afraid of the aggressive effects of bleach on linoleum, use lemon juice. Soak a clean cloth in it and wipe off the dirt until it disappears completely.
5. The glue that gets on the linoleum must be wiped off immediately. To remove the dried stain, you will have to use gasoline or white spirit. Use these products carefully so as not to rub the top layer of linoleum until discoloration, and after treatment, wash the area with clean water.

Can I use a steam mop (steam cleaner)

When washing linoleum, a steam cleaner can become indispensable because it is very convenient. To prevent steam from damaging the surface of the linoleum, you need to lower its temperature by moving the steam regulator to position 2 or 3. Some models are equipped with special attachments, among which there is a mop. It will help you clean hard-to-reach places: under the bed, behind cabinets, in the corners.

By the way, if you have ribbed or porous linoleum on your floor, then you literally need a steam cleaner or a washing vacuum cleaner with this function. Experience has shown that it is useless to wash this type of coating with water. Dirt clogs into pores and depressions firmly.

Some housewives use products for cleaning plates or mopping floors, applying them for 5-10 minutes and then scrubbing with a brush. This is a very long and laborious process. If you decide to lay linoleum with a non-standard coating, it is better to immediately attend to the purchase of a steam generator or a washing vacuum cleaner, which will save you a lot of time and effort. Remember that these types of linoleum get dirty pretty quickly, and if 1 cleaning a week can be enough in living rooms, then in the hallway and in the kitchen you will have to wash the floor daily.

The steam generator and the washing vacuum cleaner do an excellent job of removing dirt on linoleum

Video: how to wash linoleum

Typical damage to linoleum and how to fix them yourself

Probably the most common damage to linoleum is cracks. While they are small, they can be covered with a chair or a small rug, in general, made invisible. But if a crack has already appeared, then it will certainly grow over time, and it will have to be patched up.

1. Increase it in length by cutting at both edges with a sharp knife literally a couple of centimeters.
2. Gently clean out any debris that has accumulated inside.
3. Treat the sections with alcohol to degrease.
4. Apply glue to the inside (it can be Moment or special glue for linoleum).
5. Place the flooring firmly on the floor, press down with something heavy and leave for 1–2 hours.
6. Then remove the remaining adhesive from the surface.

If the linoleum is torn, the damaged area must be replaced.

1. Cut an even square where the hole formed.
2. Try to pick up a piece of new linoleum so that the drawing completely matches.
3. Remove all debris and degrease the surface with alcohol.
4. Apply glue to a piece of linoleum, especially the cuts, and attach it to the floor. The joints must match exactly.

It is easy to replace the damaged area of linoleum, the main thing is to check the coincidence of the pattern

Linoleum often fades and becomes stained. This is usually caused by high humidity. For example, you may notice these changes near a sink or in an area with a bowl of water for your pet. Honestly, it is easier to prevent such damage by wiping the floor with a dry cloth in a timely manner. But if the trouble has already happened, try washing the linoleum throughout the room with soap or vinegar solution. Whitish and yellow spots will fade and become less noticeable.

Prevention and protection against mechanical damage

To prolong the life of linoleum, you need to properly care for it. And it's worth starting from the very moment when you put this covering on the floor.

1. There are special polishes, mastics and waxes for linoleum. They create a protective film on the surface that prevents burnout, minor mechanical damage and dust settling. You need to apply such funds to the linoleum immediately after it is laid. It is advisable to repeat the procedure every 3 months.

2. Heavy furniture brings a lot of trouble, pushing linoleum to the pits. Light objects - tables, chairs - do not lag behind either: due to frequent rearrangement from place to place, they leave scratches on the surface. Before placing furniture in a room with linoleum on the floor, stick pieces of felt on the legs. It significantly softens the mechanical effect of an object on the surface, and even polishes it when moving.

   

   To make the linoleum last longer, stick the pieces of felt on the furniture legs and avoid prolonged exposure to sunlight

3. Due to the sun's rays, the colors of the linoleum and the pattern on it can fade greatly. In rooms overlooking the sun, try to keep the curtains closed during the day.

Linoleum is a great invention. But he also requires some care. We hope our advice will convince you that it is not at all difficult to wash linoleum and continue to keep it clean and fresh. Cleaning activities will now take a minimum of your time and effort.