How to Clean Linoleum Floors

How To Clean Linoleum Floors

1. Remove Loose Particles and Debris

   Before a deep clean of linoleum floors, remove any loose particles or debris that may be on the surface of the material by sweeping or vacuuming using the “hard floor” setting on your vacuum cleaner.

   As you work, pay special attention to corners, crevices, and underneath furniture and fixtures.

2. Wipe With a Dry Microfiber Cloth

   Next, wipe down the entire floor with a microfiber cloth, which will remove any remaining small particles of grit that could potentially scratch the floor during deep mopping.

3. Prepare Cleaning Solution

   Fill a bucket with a gallon of hot water, and then mix in about six to eight drops of dish soap. This solution should then be gently stirred.

4. Dampen the Mop

   Dip your mop in the soapy bucket, then wring it out thoroughly.

   Linoleum can be susceptible to damage from standing water, so use as little liquid as possible when cleaning the floor. The strands of the mop should be just barely damp and soapy.

5. Mop the Floor

   Divide the room up into sections that are roughly 6' x 6.' in size. As you complete each section, dip the mop back in the bucket, wring it dry, then start over in the next section.

   Do this until the entire floor is complete. Once you’re done, dump the bucket of soapy water out, and wash both it and the mop in clean water.

6. Rinse the Floor

   Fill the empty bucket with hot water. Then mop the entire linoleum floor again, once more in sections. The goal is to remove any lingering soap residue that may be left on the floor.

7. Dry the Floor

   Once the floor is washed clean, you need to get rid of any excess moisture that remains behind. Standing water can ruin linoleum flooring.

   To do this, use old washcloths or towels and pat down the floor's surface to dry it. The cloths should quickly absorb any excess moisture.

8. Scrub Stubborn Stains

   If necessary, the above methods can be employed with a scrub brush to get a more thorough, rigorous cleaning. Some tough stains, such as pet stains, may need this approach. 

How to "Green-Clean" Linoleum Flooring With Vinegar

If you'd prefer to use a chemical-free cleaning method on your linoleum flooring, try vinegar. It's inexpensive, widely available, and safe to use on linoleum finishes and flooring.

1. Mix Vinegar With Water

   You can use either white vinegar or apple cider vinegar mixed with water. Combine one cup of vinegar for each gallon of water.

2. Add Lemon Juice, If You Wish

   If you want, you can add a splash of lemon juice to the mixture to fill the air with a pleasant citrus smell.

3. Use Baking Soda for Deep Cleaning 

   Vinegar can be used in conjunction with baking soda to get a linoleum floor really clean. Spread dry baking soda on the surface of the floor before you mop it.

4. Mop the Floor

   Dip a mop in the vinegar solution and wipe it across the surface. The cleansing power of the vinegar combined with the grittiness of the baking soda powder creates a powerful scrubbing mixture.

5. Wipe and Dry the Floor

   Once you have the floor thoroughly scrubbed, use a damp cloth to pat away any remaining baking soda particles.

How Often To Clean Linoleum Flooring

How often you need to clean linoleum floors depends on how heavily your floor gets used, as well as the type of use it gets. Generally speaking, it's a good idea to clean linoleum floors weekly,

But if mud and grime are being tracked onto the floor routinely, if the floor gets lots spills and stains, or if it's an older floor that is easily scratched by dirt and grit, you'll likely need to clean your linoleum twice a week.