Linoleum material creates one of the comfiest kitchen floorings. You can have your kitchen looking luxurious while maintaining its longevity.
Linoleum is also environmentally friendly and can for 40 years without damage and requiring simple maintenance. However, the material is one of the most dirt prone surfaces one can have in their home.
The stains or blemishes are visible, which can carry bacteria or fungi. To prevent any form of food contamination while in the kitchen, it is crucial to learn how to clean and remove dirt pigments from your linoleum floor.
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Why use linoleum?
Besides being a popular material for different surfaces, linoleum is also durable, comfortable for use on different home sections, provides your home with warmth, and is environmentally friendly.
The flooring does not have any fiber content, is fire resilient, and has antistatic and anti-bacterial properties. The combination of features makes linoleum perfect for use in the kitchen.
What is linoleum made of?
Linoleum is a natural compound that does not harm the environment with its production or use. The material composition includes cork powder, limestone, resins, and green pigments. The layer that makes the top of the surface made of linoleum contains linseed oil. The ingredient is both mechanical and has great visibility.
The layer is very thin and shines out in a golden yellow color, depending on how the sun rays hit the surface. After applying the linseed oil, oxidation occurs, turning the oil into a solid but very thin layer on the surface. The oil undergoes polymerization, hardening it converting it into an epoxide.
Different methods of cleaning a linoleum floor
Linoleum is one of the most versatile floorings, and surface material is known to man. Apart from being durable and resist any form of damage that may result from moisture, the flooring also preserves whatever surface is below it. However, wetness can still seep in through the seals and cause damage. But the linoleum itself is water-resilient.
If looking for a way to clean the linoleum floor, you may use the following methods
- sweeping to remove any debris,
- vacuuming for a clean dustless surface, or
- mopping when you need to use a bit of moisture on the surface.
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Using bleach to clean the surfaces
Bleach has many applications when cleaning. First of all, it acts as a disinfectant keeping surfaces free of bacteria and other disease-causing microorganisms. It is an antiseptic protecting you from infectious germs. Microorganisms, including fungi, die when they come into contact with bleach.
Bleach is a dangerous chemical with fatal effects when ingested. Treat the chemical with care and keep it away from children’s reach. In case of poisoning, you may experience internal intestinal bleeding, continuous vomiting, and racking coughs. If in the presence of young children, avoid the chemical.
However, bleach is still effective whenever you want to disinfect any surface. All you need is to wear protective clothing such as gloves, face masks, or eyeglasses when using it. These will protect you from any fumes that the bleach produces while spraying for use.
Removing pigments/ stains from the surface
Bleach is an efficient cleaning solution. The only challenge comes with using undiluted bleach, which clan has devastating effects. Therefore, you should add a small quantity and dissolve it in water before cleaning or disinfecting. A single quarter of this cleaning agent (bleach) should match the three-quarters of the solvent (water).
In a situation where the stains are too stubborn, you may want to use hot water. However, its use should be protective gear as the amount of heat can scald or cause burns.
What causes blemishes on linoleum floors?
Your home has many participants, including children, pets, and other adults visiting or staying in the home. Continuous traffic to and from the kitchen can cause major stains to form on the linoleum surface; if a pet pees on the surface, dye spills when coloring your hair, or lime builds up on the floor can result in huge and stubborn stains. ‘
If you face a discolored linoleum platform, you can always whiten or lighten the color using bleach. Bleach decimates the residue on the flooring, making it appear lighter. To maintain that level of sparkle and cement the whitening, it is advisable to use vinegar. Add a half and another equal half of vinegar and water and mix the two before cleaning the surface.
Removing rust tinges from linoleum
Rust is quite unbecoming, especially on a linoleum surface. Removing the rust can pose a challenge, especially if using the wrong reagents. However, if using baking soda, vinegar (white), detergent for washing dishes, or linoleum cleaning solutions, the rust stain stands no chance.
Sometimes, all you need is a little sunshine on your linoleum, and all stains disappear as it retains its natural color. Vinegar, in combination with baking soda, is also an effective combination, especially if dealing with oil or grease-based stains. However, if the pigments can grow mold, an agent that can eliminate the microbial is essential.
Summary
The linoleum flooring is not that hard to clean and does not require detailed cleanings like a carpet or rug. The surface is easy to wash, maintain, and very popular. You can use a mop to clean where the stains are too deep. You may decide to use homemade solutions to clean or follow our cleaning agents and solutions. Ensure you use the right agents to avoid disastrous effects.
Ensure you disinfect the surface to eliminate bacteria using bleach or any other antiseptic that works!
Anthony Taylor here, I created Clifandcleaning.com to give people a better product insight before they make that all-important purchase.
linoleum is an ideal replacement for all parquets. It is both beautiful and does not require serious maintenance. True, it fades over time, and it cannot be wiped off.
try perocside! It’s inusual, but works!
My son was afraid to upset me when accidentally spilled hot caramel on the linoleum right from the pan on the floor. And the caramel froze too quickly. He thought the stains there forever and tryed to use a metal bush to get rid of them. Until now, in our kitchen there are scratches from that solemn rubbing off of caramel, which could simply be removed with a fork.)))