What is the Best Way to Clean Linoleum Floors?

Linoleum is a popular flooring option, because it is affordable and easy to install. Linoleum is made from natural products. It is durable, more resistant to scratching than vinyl flooring, and does not require yearly sealing. With proper care and cleaning, your linoleum floor can have a long, beautiful lifespan.

The best way to have clean linoleum floors is to avoid dirt, dust and grime from being ground in and accumulating on the floor. Keep a basket full of clean, comfortable slipper socks near the front door and have everyone remove their shoes when they enter. Consider what your family's shoes might encounter outdoors, such as dirt, animal droppings, and automobile fluids. By preventing this filth to enter your home, you can reduce your floor-cleaning workload.

Before mopping your floor, it is imperative to remove as much dry dirt and dust as possible. Thorough sweeping on a regular basis should be adequate. If you have pets or live in a dusty area, you might need to sweep daily. If your vacuum has a bare floor setting, it may lift more dirt from the floor than your broom can. If the floor has small crevices and lots of ground in dirt, scrubbing it with a dry scrub brush will help loosen the debris. You can then sweep or vacuum the dirt away.

Many cleansers will leave a film on linoleum floors. This film will actually attract more dirt. The dirt will adhere to the residue, making it even more difficult to clean. Removing this film can also remove any wax or sealant used on the floor, leaving a dull finish. For best results, try cleaning your linoleum floor using clean, warm water. The key is to make sure you rinse your mop well and replace your mop water once it becomes dirty.

If water alone simply is not cutting it, add some mild dish detergent to your mop water. Ivory or Palmolive are good choices. Make sure you do not use soap that contains bleach or other additives, as these could cause discoloration. You will only need about a teaspoon of soap per gallon of warm water. Mop well with the soapy water, then follow up by mopping with plain, clean, warm water. If you have a large floor to clean, do one area at a time so that the soap does not dry onto the linoleum.

To clean scuffmarks on a linoleum floor, apply some lubricant such as WD-40 to a clean, soft cloth. Scrub the scuffed area with the lubricant until it is gone. Follow up by mopping or scrubbing the area with warm soapy water to remove the greasy residue, and rinse with clean, warm water. If you have an area that is yellow due to having been covered by an appliance or rug, expose it to as much sunlight as possible. The sun will fade the yellowing and revive the original color of the linoleum.