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You are here: Home / Blog / How to Get Stains Out Of Linoleum Flooring

How to Get Stains Out Of Linoleum Flooring

by Anthony Taylor | Last Updated: January 15, 2022

How to Get Stains Out Of Linoleum FlooringLinoleum 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.

Table of Contents

  • Why use linoleum?
  • What is linoleum made of?
  • Different methods of cleaning a linoleum floor
    • Using bleach to clean the surfaces
    • Removing pigments/ stains from the surface
  • What causes blemishes on linoleum floors?
  • Removing rust tinges from linoleum
  • Summary

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.

If you desire to clean using a vacuum, the identification feature will be for a hard surface on the electronic device. However, linoleum repels dirt and does not hold onto dust particles. Therefore, any form of bacterial or fungal growth is inhibited, further endearing its usage on the kitchen surfaces.

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.

The linoleum surface is not prone to fading; neither does it scar, and it can last for decades with minimal maintenance.

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.
You can also dry clean the linoleum surface if there is too much dirt. However, the first step should be to remove any form of debris on the surface, including large particles. It is essential, especially in areas where the number of people passing through is high regularly. Proceed to use a mop to clean the surface. Use plain water to remove any stains that appear 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.

However, the bleach can also be a dangerous chemical, especially if it contains chlorine. Chlorine can cause asthma attacks and damage to your lungs or respiratory system. If it comes to contact with your eyes, you develop irritation; the same applies to your skin.

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.

Hot water is most effective when trying to remove any form of pigments or blemishes on any surface. Whenever you use bleach, couple it with cool or cold water, hot water can have damaging reactions, and the vapor can contain harmful gasses if inhaled.

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. ‘

Cleaning solutions that work on linoleum can fail on vinyl resulting in larger stains. Some items can also cause larger stains on different surfaces and make it easy to clean on others. For instance, using bleach on linoleum flooring disinfects and polishes the surfaces. Applying the same on vinyl flooring damages the surfaces.

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.

Avoid harsh cleaning solutions as they have damaging outcomes, including corrosion, patches, and much more. Remember, agents such as alcohol can corrode or paint over, causing much more damage than expected. Before using any reagent on your linoleum, test the compound. Use any hidden section of the material to determine its aftereffects.

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!

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Kenneth says

    October 7, 2020 at 7:56 pm

    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.

    Reply
  2. Anna says

    November 4, 2020 at 12:53 pm

    try perocside! It’s inusual, but works!

    Reply
  3. Vanessa says

    April 5, 2021 at 5:24 pm

    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.)))

    Reply

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