Linoleum flooring is a popular choice among homeowners because it is durable, affordable, and easy to install. It’s the best flooring option in kitchens, bathrooms, hallways, living rooms, and bedrooms. But no matter what room you have linoleum in, it needs to be cleaned regularly to avoid bacteria build-up and protect it from damage.
Have you ever seen a dirty linoleum floor? It’s not a pretty sight. Linoleum flooring is made of natural materials that are very hard to clean because they have low surface tension. It makes the dirt and grime on the floor difficult to remove.
But there are some steps you can take to clean your linoleum floors, so they look their best. Find out how with this tutorial!
How to Deep Clean Linoleum Floors
You don’t want to end up with a layer of grease, bacteria, and dirt sitting on the surface of your linoleum flooring. It isn’t particularly difficult to clean, and there are many ways you can clean linoleum flooring. Some people say there is no method, but there is. So how can you clean your linoleum floors?
Step 1: Sweep the Floor With a Broom or Vacuum Cleaner
The first step is to sweep up any debris with a broom or vacuum cleaner.
- You can quickly sweep or vacuum the floor with a brush and make sure all the dust and dirt clinging to the surface are removed.
- Also, remove any stains or food on the floors, and clean any dirt or grime off the floor.
- Wiping down the whole floor with a microfiber cloth is a good option since it removes any lingering tiny particles of grit that might damage the floor.
Pro Tip: Pay special attention to corners and edges where dirt gathers.
Step 2: Make a Cleaning Solution
There are several cleaning solutions available for deep cleaning linoleum flooring. One of which is you can use a basic cleaning solution with dish soap; here’s how.
- Fill your bucket halfway with warm water or use a gallon of water in a bucket.
- Then combine 6-8 drops of a light detergent such as dish soap.
- This solution should then be gently stirred.
Pro Tip: You may use a cleaning solution designed particularly for linoleum flooring. Then follow the manufacturer’s recommendations by combining the right amount of cleaning detergent in a big bucket filled with the appropriate measures of water.
Another alternative for creating a cleaning solution is to use natural ingredients such as vinegar and baking soda. Its low acidity assures that the linoleum finish will not wear away.
- You may choose between a quarter cup of white vinegar or apple cider vinegar combined with 12-14 cups of warm water for your cleaning solution.
- Next is to mix 1-2/3 cup baking soda and stir the solutions to bind the cleaning solution together. However, you’ll want as few bubbles as possible because they may leave stains on your floor.
- You may also add a dash of lemon juice to the mixture if you want a nice citrus scent.
Pro Tip: To get a strong scrubbing from the vinegar and the grit of the baking soda, sprinkle it onto the ground instead of mixing it into the solution. The decision is yours, although both methods are effective.
Step 3: Use a Damp Mop
Removing all the dirt from your linoleum is a big job. You will need a damp mop with your chosen cleaning solution. Let it sit for a minute, and then gently wipe the floor, paying close attention to the stained areas.
Don’t forget to wear rubber gloves while cleaning with the vinegar solution because vinegar can irritate your skin.
Pro Tip: Instead of a mop, use a soft bristle scrub brush to clean your floors thoroughly.
Step 4: Rinse Your Linoleum Floor
After scrubbing, fill the bucket with clean water, dip the clean mop into the clean water, wring it out, and rinse the cleaning solution off the floor. But be careful not to make the floor very wet. You may also wipe down the floor with a damp rag.
The goal is to get rid of any remaining soap residue on the floor. Use the rag to brush all of the dirt, dust, and grit off the floor. If cleaning solutions are not rinsed off the floor, they can collect small dust and dirt particles that will be difficult to remove later.
Pro Tip: You do not need to rinse your floor after washing it using the vinegar solution since the smell will dissipate as the vinegar and water evaporate.
Step 5: Dry Your Linoleum Floor
You’ll need to remove any extra moisture that has remained in your flooring because standing water may be extremely hazardous to its installation. To do this, use old rags, clean microfiber towels, or a dry mop to dry the floor’s surface. Let it dry completely.
Wait for the floor to thoroughly dry before allowing traffic on the floor surface.
Step 6: Polish Your Linoleum Floor
Following the successful cleaning of your linoleum flooring, the next step is to shine it up with a long-lasting finish.
- Fill a bucket with polish, and avoid splattering it directly on the floor.
- After the floor has dried completely, apply one to three coats of linoleum floor polish per the manufacturer’s recommendations.
- Allow each coat to dry completely between coats and the final layer of polish to dry for about an hour.
- Avoid moving the applicator over the same floor region more than twice, as this can produce streaking.
Additional Tips for Maintaining Linoleum Floors
You want to keep your linoleum floors looking new because they are very easy to maintain. Some of the most popular ways to keep your flooring looking as good as new include:
- Sweep your linoleum flooring regularly. It is a no-brainer, but the best way to keep linoleum floors clean and stain-free is simply to sweep them with a broom.
- Clean up spills quickly. Allowing water to sink into the linoleum will cause harm to its installation; thus, make an effort to wipe up spill accidents as soon as possible.
- Doorways should have doormats. Dirt and grit are the worst enemies of a linoleum floor because they will scrape and dull the surface. That is why it is important to use doormats to remove dirt from your shoes before stepping onto your flooring.
- Remove scuffs marks with baking soda. Most black scuff marks on the flooring are created by black rubber soles of shoes or furniture leg points. Use a paste of baking soda and water to remove them.
- Use furniture felt pads. Always use them on the bottoms of furniture legs to avoid stains and scratches.
What to Avoid Doing
Before you start cleaning your linoleum floors, make sure that you avoid doing any of the following:
- Using harsh cleaning products. You should avoid cleaning products with harsh chemicals because they may harm the life of your linoleum. While you can use store-bought cleaner, choosing a natural cleanser that doesn’t include harsh chemicals is best.
- Using ammonia-based cleaners. They will remove the shine and harm the floor.
- Using warm or cold water in cleaning. It is recommended to avoid doing it since hot water causes moisture damage to your floors faster than cooler liquids.
- Allowing water to stand on the floor. It will harm the linoleum.
- Steam cleaning. Always read the manufacturer’s instructions to determine if your brand of linoleum can be steam cleaned because it can cause significant water damage to your linoleum floors.
Cleaning linoleum floors is one of the most common house cleaning tasks. I hope these tips have helped you in cleaning your linoleum flooring.
