Linoleum floors are found in many different homes in the United States and around the world. They are easy to maintain but what is best to use when cleaning them?
Vinegar is an excellent choice when cleaning linoleum floors. You can make a mixture of 1/2 cup vinegar, white vinegar preferred, along with a gallon of hot water. If you would like to increase the cleaning power of the mixture, you can add a tablespoon of Dawn dishwashing liquid.
Although this is the preferred method and mixture for cleaning linoleum floors, there are many things you can do to help make it even more powerful. This includes adding baking soda to the mix, as it acts as a mild abrasive.
Of course, mopping the floor is only one of the many steps necessary to ensure that your linoleum floors are kept up with regularly. Here are some other things to keep in mind.
What Can You Use To Clean Linoleum Floors?
Generally speaking, you should be mopping your linoleum floors about one time every week. In-between the times that you mop it, there are things you can do to ensure that the floor is as clean as possible.
Every day, you should be dust mopping or sweeping your floor thoroughly. This is a good way to ensure that any dirt left on the floor through typical use is not ground in and causing it to be even dirtier by the time you need to mop it.
Since linoleum is a smooth surface, a dust mop is an obvious choice for cleaning the floor in this way. You can use a small dust mop to capture a lot of the bits and pieces that may be left on the floor but a long dust mop also works by getting under the furniture and capturing more of the floor at a single swipe.
A dust mop is going to pick up many of the small particles of dirt that are on the floor and carry them away. They can then be swept up from a central area where all of the debris is deposited.
Something similar can also be accomplished by using a simple broom with a dustpan. Bear in mind that this is going to take a lot longer, so a dust mop is going to be an easier way to do it.
Have you ever considered using a microfiber cloth on your linoleum floor? This is an excellent way to clean it even more thoroughly, and it can typically be used in conjunction with daily cleaning.
Since a microfiber cloth is going to pick up so much of the dirt that is on the surface, it’s a good idea to remove as much as possible of the dirt before you use it. That is why it is still a good idea to use a dust mom daily before you use the microfiber.
There are tools available that can be used to wrap the microfiber cloth and provide a larger surface that you can use to mop the linoleum. This is beneficial because it allows you to move more of the smaller particles at a time.
As far as mopping the floor is concerned, you will want to use hot water whenever possible. Linoleum can stand up to the heat quite nicely, and although you won’t want to use boiling water, the hot water that comes out of the typical household tap will work just fine.
Hot water has the benefit of cutting through the dirt a lot more thoroughly than cold water. In addition, you will also be cleaning the floor more thoroughly in the way of killing bacteria and clearing away the mildew that may be left behind.
You should also think about some of the different things that could be damaging the linoleum floor so that you can avoid them. After all, you don’t want to damage your floor in the process of cleaning it.
Here are a few things to avoid:
1. Too much water – Although linoleum is water-resistant for the most part, that doesn’t mean that you should simply pour on water and allow it to stay on the floor indefinitely. You can use plenty of water when cleaning linoleum but make sure it is mopped up and the floor is dry when you are done.
2. Ammonia – If you were to use ammonia cleaner on the floor, you would likely ruin the polish. It is always better if you use vinegar or some other type of cleaner and leave ammonia for other areas of the home.
3. Latex – If you are going to put any type of throw rug on the floor, make sure that it doesn’t have either a rubber or latex backing. Over the course of time, latex and rubber can cause stains on the linoleum floor that will not be able to be cleaned up.
4. Stripper – You may want to wax your linoleum floor so it has that perfect shine. This would require that from time to time, you remove the wax by using some type of stripper. Make sure that you don’t do so more than once every year or you could damage the floor.
There are other products that could potentially damage the latex floor. Generally speaking, it’s always best to use more of a neutral cleaner, which is why vinegar is often recommended.
Here are other considerations for cleaning linoleum, including some products you can use.
Can You Use Vinegar To Clean Linoleum Floor?
Do you have a bottle of white vinegar? Should you use it on your linoleum floor?
Vinegar is an ideal choice for cleaning linoleum floors. The acidity will lift dirt and cut through grease and grime easily. You should dilute white vinegar by pouring 1/2 cup of vinegar into 1 gallon of hot water. This will wash the floor nicely and can be used weekly as part of your overall cleaning routine.
Typically, you would use white vinegar for cleaning floors. Not only is it less expensive, it also has a higher acidity level so it works slightly better as a cleaner compared to apple cider vinegar.
If you want to increase the cleaning power of the solution, add a tablespoon of Dawn dishwashing detergent or any other dishwashing detergent to the mix.
Can You Use Bleach To Clean Linoleum Floor?
Bleach is often considered to be a heavy-duty cleaner. Can you use it safely on a linoleum floor?
Bleach is not typically recommended for linoleum because excessive use and strong bleach solutions could damage the surface. If you feel it is necessary to use bleach for any reason, make sure that you are diluting it at least 10 to 1 with water.
You may sometimes find commercial products that are made for linoleum floors that claim to have bleach in them. It is true that there is bleach, but it is in such small amounts that it is not going to make a difference in the product.
The bottom line is, that bleach can be used for linoleum but it is better avoided.
Can You Use Baking Soda To Clean Linoleum Floor?
Are you considering using baking soda for your linoleum floor? Is it a good idea to do so?
Baking soda is an excellent cleaning product and can safely be used on linoleum. Not only will it help to reduce smells in the area, but it will also work as a mild abrasive to help scrub away the dirt that was left behind since the last time you mopped your floor.
You can add baking soda to your vinegar and water solution if you feel that your floor would benefit from the mild scrubbing action. It can also be used on its own.
If you have a heavy stain that is difficult to lift, you can use a paste made from baking soda, vinegar, and a little dishwashing liquid. It will scrub the floor without damaging the surface and lift away the stain.
Can You Use Ammonia To Clean Linoleum Floor?
Ammonia is often considered to be one of the best cleaning products in the home. Is it a good choice when cleaning linoleum?
You should not use ammonia on a linoleum floor. Regardless of whether it is used full-strength or diluted, it can wear away the surface of the linoleum and get rid of the shine. It is better if you use vinegar or a neutral soap to clean linoleum and leave the ammonia for cleaning elsewhere in the home.
It may seem disappointing that you can’t use ammonia for cleaning linoleum, especially since many of us have used it for years to clean floors. That doesn’t mean that you are without options and vinegar is an excellent choice that is both inexpensive and works well.
Can You Use Steam Clean To Clean Linoleum Floor?
Do you have a steam mop? Read this before using it on your linoleum floor.
A steam mop will clean linoleum nicely and it can be used regularly as part of routine maintenance. When you use a steam mop, it heats the water and lifts the dirt from the floor easily. It can work on larger stains as well as for an overall routine cleaning that is done weekly.
Most people tend to use a steam mop when they are cleaning the entire floor. It can also work for cleaning spots, but it is often too much work to get the mop ready for a smaller area.
You should also not confuse using a steam mop with a steam cleaner. Either can be used for linoleum but the steam cleaner will likely have a harsher effect on the surface.
Can You Use Grooves To Clean Linoleum Floor?
If you have deep grooves in your linoleum floor, how can you clean it properly?
You can mix a little water with baking soda to create a paste that will get down into the grooves of the linoleum. You may need to allow the baking soda to stay in place for a few minutes while it does its work but then it can be gently scrubbed and lifted from the area. You may need to wet mop several times to remove all of the baking soda.
If you don’t properly clean any grooves in the linoleum, you are leaving behind particles that could easily make you sick. Make sure that you do a deep cleaning on a weekly basis and an even deeper cleaning monthly.
How To Clean Linoleum Floors?
Most people simply gloss over the idea of cleaning linoleum floors. They may mop or sweep them on occasion, but what is the proper way to clean linoleum?
A weekly wet mop of the linoleum floor is the best way to keep it clean, both in a visual way and in a sanitary way. A mixture of 1/2 cup white vinegar along with 1 gallon of hot water is preferred. You can also add a tablespoon of Dawn dishwashing detergent as a way to clean further.
Even though the weekly mopping of the linoleum floor is important, there are many other aspects that need to be considered. Some of those should be done on a daily basis if you really want to keep your linoleum in tip-top shape.
Admittedly, linoleum is a very durable floor that will last for many years, even if it is mildly abused. On the other hand, if you want to keep it in like-new condition, then a daily clean and an overall cleaning schedule is the way to go.
As far as the daily cleaning is concerned, this is done to simply remove much of the dirt and debris that may have come in from outside. Most people are surprised with how much dirt they can get off of the linoleum floor, even if they are mopping it every day.
The daily regimen does not involve any type of water. It is just a matter of sweeping the floor or using a dry mop. Choosing the right product for this is the first step.
Dust mop – If you are using a dust mop, it is better if you choose one that is as long as can be comfortably used in the room. It isn’t necessary to have a 4-foot mop for your kitchen, but a 2-foot mop will help to cover more area in a single swipe.
A regular dust mop will do a good job at gathering much of the small particles that will be on the floor from everyday use. It is also a good tool for reaching under some of the areas that may not be easily seen, such as under the furniture or appliances.
If you want to take things to the next level, you can choose a microfiber mop. These tend to pick up even more particles and will leave the floor very clean on a daily basis.
Some people use a regular dust mop and then quickly go over the floor with a microfiber mop. It takes a little more time, but it really leaves the floor clean.
Broom and Dust Pan – When choosing a broom for your linoleum floor, there are many different options available. Typically, you will just be using a standard broom, but pay close attention to the bristles.
Soft bristles will be much kinder to the floor as they will not scratch it while you are sweeping. There are also some soft bristles that tend to gather the hair and dust as you are going so it doesn’t simply get pushed around.
A standard dustpan will work but some people prefer one with a handle so they don’t have to continually bend over to pick up the debris.
This content is owned by Wabi Sabi Group and was first published on Apr 28, 2022..
If you are cleaning the floor on a regular basis, perhaps even daily, then you only need to mop the floor once every week. In between that time, you may need to spot clean some areas but a general cleaning every week is preferred.
A mixture of 1/2 cup white vinegar in a gallon of hot water along with a tablespoon of Dawn dishwashing detergent will work well. The vinegar has an acidity that will help to lift up the dirt and the Dawn dishwashing detergent will cut through grease as well as attract smaller particles.
It is not necessary to wring out the mop until it is almost dry when you are cleaning linoleum. The waterproof nature of the linoleum floor will allow it to get wet.
What is important is that you don’t allow the floor to stay wet for an extended amount of time as that could cause damage to it. Mop the floor and then dry it, either by running the mop back over after wringing it out or by placing fans in the area to dry it quickly.
You may need to occasionally give some additional attention to the floor, perhaps every six months to one year. Some people wax linoleum while others simply allow the natural shine to come through.
This article was first published on Apr 28, 2022 by Wabi Sabi Group..
The best way to wash your linoleum floor is to use white vinegar. The high acidity level in vinegar allows it to cut through dirt and grease easily. 1/2 cup of white vinegar in a gallon of hot water is the preferred mixture.
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WabiSabi Group is the owner of this article and was published on Apr 28, 2022 and last modified on .