These days, vinyl flooring has become the most chosen flooring solution for both homes and offices. The reasons for its popularity are its stylish appeal, high durability, and ease of maintenance. Still, even the most resilient of the floors will still suffer from these stains, spills, and scuff marks with time and use. There can be brown stains on vinyl floors or those unappealing white spots. You need to know the right ways if you wish to know how to remove stains from vinyl flooring.
Floor Mart Is here to guide you with the right ways and methods to effectively take care of these stains. Plus, we also have an additional guide on how to remove stains from linoleum.
What Are The Causes For Vinyl Floor Stains?
Vinyl is a product made from the synthetic chemical called PVC that is highly water-resistant. It is inherently stainproof, but the protective layer on top of it will still absorb pigments that result in discoloration. And if you spill liquids and let them remain uncleaned, it will also cause stains. Among the many reasons for vinyl floor discoloration are,
- There will be rust and water buildup stains caused by the metal furniture placement or leaking pipes.
- Someone will spill a drink or drop greasy food like coffee or tomato sauce on the floor.
- Black marks on the vinyl floors are mostly due to the result of rubber and shoe marks.
- You are using harsh chemical cleaners that can cause reactions and pigmentation.
- A prolonged water exposure causes effects like yellowing or dull white patches.
You must first know what is the cause of stains before choosing the ideal vinyl floor stain remover.
Step-by-Step: How to Remove Stains from Vinyl Floors
Floor Mart offers our easy-to-use guide for effectively removing stains from vinyl floors.
1.Start with Gentle Cleaning
Start by mixing warm water in a mild dish soap. Now dip a clean cloth in it and rub the surface of the stain gently. Sometimes, only doing this will lift the stain and leave a little residue behind.
2.Apply Baking Soda Paste
In case the stains are tough to remove, like those of coffee or wine, you need to make a cleaner. For this, take 2 tbsp of baking soda and mix it with water to create a paste. Apply this to the stain and let it rest for 15 minutes. Now, take a clean cloth or paper towel to rub the paste off. Baking soda will act as a mild abrasive ingredient to clean the surface without scratching it.
3.Use Rubbing Alcohol for Ink and Dye Stains
If there are marks and stains from a pen or a marker, they can be removed easily. Just carefully dip some rubbing alcohol on a clean cloth and rub the stained area. The alcohol will evaporate quickly to remove the pigment without damaging the vinyl underneath the stain.
4.Treat Rust and Brown Stains
Brown stains on vinyl floors are mostly due to rust or stagnant water. For this, sprinkle some lemon juice or white vinegar on the stain directly. After a few minutes of letting it sit, clean the surface. Never use the bleach, as it will result in discoloration of the vinyl.
5.Remove Black Scuff Marks
Black marks on vinyl floors are caused due to furniture or shoes, they are quite common occurrence. They can be taken care of by erasing them with a pencil eraser or a tennis ball. Some stains will be tough to clean, so for that, you must use a mineral spirit on a clean cloth. Do not soak the floors, or it will slip through the seams.
6.Fix White Spots or Chemical Stains
If there are white spots on the vinyl flooring, they are a result of residue from the cleaner or water trapped under the floors. Mix a 1:1 vinegar & water solution for it. The persistent dullness can be cleaned off with other cleaners like WD-40 or jojoba oil, resulting in a new-like shine.
How to Get Stains Out of Linoleum
Linoleum flooring is a type of floors that combines wood flour and cork dust doused with linseed oil. It has a protective layer that makes it look like laminate flooring or the vinyl flooring and it reacts to moisture and chemicals harshly. You must clean it carefully to prevent any damage to it.
1.Identify the Type of Stain
There are a few common stains for linoleum that you must identify first. Red stains on these floors are usually from food coloring, wine, or ketchup. Yellow or brown discoloration is a result of sunlight exposure or rubber mat placement. scruff marks and buildup of grime is a common cause in high-traffic areas.
2.Use a Gentle Linoleum Stain Remover
You can clean any of these stains and marks by making a homemade cleaner. For this, take mild dish soap and warm water. Mix them both in large quantities and wet a mop in it. Now clean the floors, and if the stain still persists, use a specialized linoleum stain remover. We strongly advise against the use of bleach or ammonia, as the finishing layer will strip off.
3.Lift Deep Stains with Baking Soda or Hydrogen Peroxide
Red stains on linoleum floors are quite hard to clean. You can still take care of them by making a paste from baking soda powder mixed with a few drops of hydrogen peroxide and lemon juice. Let this one rest for 10 minutes before rinsing it off well. Do not scrub the surface, or the natural linseed oil will wear off, resulting in dull spots.
4.Tackle Yellowing or Brown Spots
If the linoleum has become yellow or brown due to rubber or sunlight exposure, a specialized solution is helpful. This is made by mixing white vinegar and lemon juice. Apply this on the stain and let it rest for 10 minutes. Wipe it off with a clean cloth and it will clear the stains without harming the surface.
5.Protect Your Linoleum from Future Stains
After you clean the linoleum flooring, you need to apply a thin layer of wax or polish on it to restore its shine. This will also act as a protective coating to prevent any discoloration.
Contact Floor Mart For Bespoke Vinyl Flooring Solutions & Expert Care
Vinyl floors and linoleum are both known to be flooring treatments that require low maintenance efforts. This doesn’t mean that these floors are completely stain proof or resist discoloration. At Floor mart, we offer the premium vinyl and linoleum floor solutions. Both of these come with protective layers that resist stains and discoloration. At the time of purchase, our sales team guide you with proper maintenance requirements. Call us today to get your design consultation and quote for these flooring solutions.
Final Thoughts
Floor Mart’s guide on how to remove stains from vinyl flooring & linoleum will prove to be effective in maintaining the longevity of your floors. We have listed the treatment for all types of stains whether brown, yellow, white, black, or scruff marks on both vinyl and linoleum. Never use abrasive cleaners to clean the floors and always use a polish or wax to keep the flooring looking pristine.
FAQs
1.How to get paint off linoleum?
You can remove the paint easily from linoleum by scraping the paint off with a plastic scraper. Use warm water and a mild detergent to soften the paint.
2.Can you bleach lino?
You must never use bleach on lino or linoleum as it will damage the surface. Instead, its best to use a solution of water and vinegar for safe cleaning.
3.How to remove stains from vinyl flooring?
You can remove stains from your vinyl floors with a paste made of vinegar mixed in baking soda powder.
4.How to clean stained linoleum floors?
The most ideal home-made cleaner is one made by mixing baking sofa, warm water, and vinegar. Simple rub the surface with this paste and then rinse it.
5.How to get stains out of laminate flooring?
Cleaning the stains from laminate floors is not a big hassle. First clean off the surface with a microfiber cloth. Then clean it with a mild cleaner and rinse the cleaner off with warm wear.
