Linoleum floors are one of the oldest forms of floorings that are still used though not at a high-rate, as there are other types now. It is made of natural materials, thus, gets damaged pretty easily. Even though it is all natural materials in there, if constructed well, with proper materials, a linoleum floor will last for at least two full decades, could be three if well maintained.
Therefore, constructing it well is not enough; maintaining it is equally important. Otherwise, it will lose its water resistance capability. If it’s damaged from within, it will be hard to repair it and will need replacement. And we all very well know how costly floor replacement could be. You cannot expect something to last if you do not nurture it. So, with regular cleaning and proper cleaning essentials, you can make the linoleum last that too by making it look as fresh and new.
There are several ways to clean the linoleum flooring. All-natural products, harsh chemicals, steam cleaners, vacuum cleaners, water, and mop or a towel. So, what cleans the linoleum floor best? Let’s check out what products and tools you can use to clean a linoleum floor naturally right below.
How to Clean Linoleum Floors with Vinegar and Baking Soda
Contents
Household Products
The most common way to clean the linoleum floors is to use household products like vinegar and baking soda. Only a few people use harsh chemicals to clean their flooring. It is common to see people cleaning linoleum floors with vinegar and baking soda, instead of liquid solutions or disinfectant regularly.
Many are okay with regular dusting and sweeping the floor thrice to four times a week. And when there are stains to remove, the first thing they use is vinegar because that is the one all-natural product known for effectively cleaning stains and intensely adhered dirt.
Having vinegar is more common than having baking soda in the pantry. That is why it comes first in our mind.
Vinegar
Vinegar is a liquid, so a gallon of water will need 1 cup of vinegar. You can use apple cider vinegar or white vinegar. White vinegar has less acetic acid in it, but the difference is not too high. So both works just fine.
Cleaning Process
Mix one cup of vinegar in a gallon of warm water. If your linoleum floor has grease in some areas, better add two tablespoons of dishwashing soap. The heat of warm water and the abrasive nature of vinegar will clean any stuck dirt and will sanitize the flooring too. The dishwashing soap will break and soften the thick, hard oily mess and prepare it to be wiped easily. Cleaning the linoleum floors with vinegar means you have deep cleaned, thus sanitized it.
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Baking Soda
Baking soda is commonly used in baking. But what it is equally famous for is for safe cleaning of the linoleum flooring. The abrasive nature of this powder formed ingredient helps to clean stubborn stains. It leaves a fresh smell around the ambiance as well. It consists of antibacterial and antimicrobial properties in it. Hence it is an excellent disinfectant too.
Cleaning Method
There are two ways to use baking soda. As it comes in a powder form, you can dust it all over the linoleum floor. After waiting for five minutes, you need to sweep the floor with a mop or microfiber cloth after dipping it in warm water. Make sure to wring the mop or cloth well. Keeping a linoleum floor damp for too long will eventually damage its water resistance.
Or you can sweep the whole house with warm water and mop and use a baking soda paste only on the spot with stubborn dirt. You have to make a thick paste by adding water in baking soda. Apply the paste on the stain and let it sit there for 10 to 15 minutes. Then scrub it with a microfiber scrub pad. The stubborn stain, adhered footprints, and stuck food mess will be removed with a few sweeps only.
Vinegar And Baking Soda
Some people prefer using both vinegar and baking soda to deep clean the linoleum floor. So, if you also want to try it, then sprinkle the baking soda all over the floor. Prepare the vinegar cleaning solution. A cup of vinegar and two tablespoons of dishwashing soap in a gallon of water, that’s it. Sweep the floor that has set baking soda sprinkled on it with a mop or cloth by soaking it in the mixture and properly wringing it. You will clean the flooring, disinfect it, and will have a fresh smell around too. That, too, without using any harsh chemicals plus by spending a bare minimum.
Things Not To Skip
You now know how effective the vinegar and baking soda is in deep cleaning and sanitizing the linoleum floor. Most importantly, none of the two damage the natural materials of linoleum. You can also relax as even if you have sprinkled baking soda all over or wiped the flooring with vinegar and your kids are running around barefoot or fall over it, none are going to get hurt.
But you need to do two more steps in the overall cleaning process. One is required before you sweep the linoleum flooring, and the other is after cleaning it. We are talking about the dusting and drying of the linoleum floor.
Dusting
Dusting linoleum flooring is essential. Dusting, in general, is necessary no matter what the floor type is. Once a day, dusting with a broom or a linoleum floor cleaner machine will lessen your work while you sweep the floor. There will be less dirt on the floor, and the water will not get the scope to make a mess mixing up with the dirt layers collected over it.
Drying
When you wet mop, no matter how much force you apply to wring the mop or cloth, the floor gets damp. A damp floor is always slippery. So, after you use vinegar solution or baking soda to mop your floor, make sure to sweep it once again or you can use a linoleum floor steamer to dry it . We know it’s too much hard work. Hence, you should switch on the ceiling fan from the moment you get ready to mop the floor if you are using the vinegar cleaning solution.
If you have sprinkled baking soda on the floor, then you have to switch the fan on after you are done sweeping. Tell your kids strictly not to run here and there when you have used baking soda. Make sure you keep all the windows open for the proper flow of air. It will maintain the freshness a bit longer and also help to dry the floor.
