Linoleum floors have become the favorite choice of many homeowners and business houses due to their durability, low-maintenance, water resistance, eco-friendly features as it is made from natural elements like wood flour, cork dust, linseed oil, and resins, and are ideal for areas with heavy rainfall. The longevity and sturdiness of these floors have caught all the attention, along with a variety of styles, colors, and patterns(planks, tiles, and sheets). Linoleum floors can last for around 40 years if properly cared for.
The main concern for homeowners is “How to clean linoleum floors’? Well, it’s easy to clean linoleum floors. All you need to know is the right method and the right cleaning solutions. Everyday mopping and sweeping will keep the floor clean, but if you leave it for days without cleaning, dirt and dust will definitely accumulate, leading to a more tedious task of cleaning. Learn the trick to clean the linoleum floor and keep it spic and span.
Also Read: What Kind of Vacuum is Best for Vinyl?
Know About Linoleum, Its Advantages and Disadvantages
Linoleum consists of linseed oil, which is allowed to get oxidized, and then other materials like wood flour and pine resin are mixed. The mixture of these is applied to jute to make tiles or sheets used for residential or commercial use.
Some of the advantages are its low-maintenance, easy-to-clean, biodegradable, durable, scratch-resistant, water resistant, and availability in multiple colors and patterns. Linoleum can be cut and fit into any room size. A few disadvantages are high installation cost, and furniture legs may damage the floor.
Method to Deep Clean Linoleum Floors
Things You Will Need
- Bucket
- Dustpan
- Vacuum cleaner
- Broom
- Microfiber cloth
- Dish soap
- Hot water
- Lemon juice
- Microfiber mop
- Baking soda
- Scrub brush
- Towel
Removal of Dust and Debris
Using a vacuum cleaner, remove all the dust and debris from the floor because dust and debris may cause scratches to the floor when mopping begins, which will ruin the finish of the linoleum floor. Use a broom or set the mode to “hard floor” in a vacuum cleaner to clean the floor area, especially the corners and under the furniture, which are ignored.
Wipe the Floor Using Microfiber Cloth
After using a vacuum cleaner, it’s time to wipe the floor to remove leftover dust or dirt to prevent damage caused during deep cleaning because of dust. Press the microfiber cloth firmly to remove dust from corners and edges.
Prepare the Cleaning Solution
Take a bucket, fill hot water, add eight drops of mild dish soap (avoid harsh chemical-based soap as it may damage the floor), and mix the solution gently for even distribution of liquid in water. Now, you can use the solution to clean the floor.
Dampen the Dry Mop
Once the solution is ready, dip the microfiber cloth in the cleaning solution, squeeze it completely to drain excess water, and start cleaning the linoleum floor. Excess moisture on the linoleum floor can damage the floor, leading to high repair costs, so ensure the mop is moist and free from excess moisture.
Mop the Floor
Start mopping the floor in small sections to avoid excess water left behind on the floor. Move the mop back and forth, starting from one end of the corner to the other end. Gently press the mop to lift away the dirt and dust from the floor. Once cleaning of one section is complete, move to the other section and repeat the process.
Rinse the Floor
The next step is rinsing the floor to remove any soap residue because it may make the floor look dull. You will again need a bucket with hot water to clean the floor.
Dry the Floor
The last step of the cleaning process is to dry the floor using a towel to remove the excess mixture left on the floor. Press the towel firmly so that it absorbs moisture. After this, leave the floor for a few hours to air dry. Don’t walk or put any furniture on the floor until it completely dries.
Conclusion
Linoleum floors are durable and budget-friendly, which adds elegance to the room. However, you have to clean it regularly to avoid the accumulation of dust and dirt. Deep clean the linoleum floor with soap dish and hot water for spic and span floor.
