How to Clean Linoleum Floors

If you’ve got linoleum flooring in your home, you already know that it can present a cleaning challenge. That’s particularly true when the linoleum isn’t brand new, with ground-in dirt or yellowish stains.

Whether you’re dealing with a linoleum kitchen, bathroom, or even a hallway, we’ve got the guidance you need. Our pros have cleaning advice, steps, and recommendations for the best products to use. 

You might be a cleaning pro yourself, a homeowner, or a DIYer who just needs a bit of help. Keep reading to learn everything you need to know about getting your linoleum floors to look their best.

What is Linoleum?

Linoleum is a mostly-outdated type of floor covering that’s made from some combination of these ingredients:

• Solidified linseed oil, aka linoxyn
• Pine resin
• Sawdust
• Ground cork dust
• Mineral fillers, e.g. calcium carbonate

Pigments may be added to create a colored finish, and the linoleum is typically placed on a backing made of burlap, jute, or canvas. In the United States and other countries, it has been almost entirely replaced by sheet vinyl flooring, which has a similar appearance.

What’s Special About Linoleum Floors?

Linoleum flooring sometimes gets a bad rap because it may be viewed as old-fashioned, retro, or even outdated. The truth is that linoleum, or lino as it’s known in the UK, is a truly special and beautiful option for your floors. Here are a few things that make it special.

• Linoleum comes in many colors and patterns, meaning there’s something for everyone.
• Linoleum now comes with a modern factory finish, which makes it way easier to clean than the older versions.
• Linoleum is eco-friendly and 100% biodegradable because it’s made from all-natural materials.

So, while you might think of linoleum as being super artificial, it’s actually one of the most environmentally friendly and easy-to-maintain flooring options around.

Cleaning Products and Supplies to Clean Linoleum

Here’s our list of some of the cleaning products and supplies you can use to get your linoleum floors to shine.

Best Way to Mop Linoleum Floors

A mop and a bucket of soapy water are all you need if you want to use a mop to clean your linoleum floor.

Step 1: Sweep or vacuum the linoleum to remove dirt and particles that might scratch the surface and make your linoleum look worn and old.

Step 2: Use a clean microfiber cloth to go over the floor and remove any remaining dirt and particles.

Step 3: In a bucket, combine a gallon of hot water with 7-8 drops of mild dish soap, then stir to combine.

Step 4: Dip a clean mop into the soapy water, wring it out, then use it to clean each section of flooring. As a rule, you shouldn’t clean more than a 6’ by 6’ square before rinsing the mop and wringing it out again.

Step 5: Standing water can damage linoleum, so use clean towels or rags to get rid of any excess water.

Step 6: If you’ve got stubborn spots or stains, use a soft-bristled brush to go over them until the floor is clean.

These steps are easy to follow and may be repeated weekly to keep your floors looking their best.

How to Clean Old Linoleum Floors

Cleaning old linoleum poses some special challenges, since it may not have the modern factory coating and may even have yellowish stains. Follow these steps.

Step 1: Vacuum or sweep the floor to get rid of dirt and debris. Go over with a dry mop or microfiber cloth to be sure there’s nothing left that will scratch the floor.

Step 2: Make a paste of baking soda and lemon juice. The paste should be thick enough to stay where you put it.

Step 3: Apply the paste directly to any yellowing stains on the floor. Let it sit for 10-15 minutes, then use a damp cloth to wipe away the mixture.

Step 4: Combine hot water and dish soap (or linoleum floor cleaner if you prefer) in a bucket and mop the floor in sections, rinsing the mop as you go.

Step 5: Rinse the floor with clean, hot water to remove any cleaning products.

Step 6: Use towels or microfiber cloths to dry the floor.

Watch the video below to see the method you can use to remove stains from linoleum floors in your house.

How to Clean Linoleum Floors with Grooves

What on earth can you do if you’ve got linoleum floors with grooves or scratches on them? Follow these instructions.

Step 1: Vacuum or sweep the floor as above.

Step 2: Sprinkle baking soda on any grooves or scratches, then pour a little vinegar on top of it and allow it to fizz.

Step 3: Use a soft brush to scrub stains away after the baking soda and vinegar have had time to work.

Step 4: Go over the grooves with a clean, damp cloth to remove the baking soda and vinegar.

Step 5: Use a mop with hot water and dish soap to go over the entire floor.

Step 6: Mop again with clean hot water, then dry with towels or clean rags.

You can repeat if you’ve still got stains after going through the entire process.

What Not to Use on Linoleum Floors

We’ve outlined some of our favorite natural cleaning products to use on linoleum, but here are some things not to use if you want to keep your linoleum looking like new.

• Any cleaning products with a high pH level, since these can damage the flooring and make it more vulnerable to staining.
• High-alkalinity strippers or cleaners, for the same reasons we just listed.
• Any cleaning products not specifically mentioned by the manufacturer or that the manufacturer warns against using.
• Ammonia, which can ruin the finish on your linoleum floors.

Here are a few things you can do (or avoid doing) when caring for linoleum floors.

1. Don’t use a soaking wet mop or leave too much water on the floor. The water may seep underneath the linoleum to the backing. When that happens, mildew may form and leave you with a combined cleaning challenge and health hazard.
2. For a heavily stained floor, you may want to consider either hiring a pro or renting a floor buffer to get rid of stubborn stains. Linoleum isn’t porous, but the tiny grooves and divots in the flooring can make it a challenge to clean.
3. In many cases, older linoleum floors may be treated with a water-based, polymeric finish to protect them. Always check the manufacturer’s recommendations first before using a product, since some may recommend a particular cleaner or warn against using others.
4. Never use a brush with metal or hard bristles to scrub linoleum. Even though it’s a sturdy product, the wrong brush can scrape or scratch it, making it look bad and adding to your future cleaning challenges.

When properly cared for, linoleum floors can last for decades and still look terrific, so keep that in mind if you’ve got a floor that needs a little TLC. It’s just a matter of knowing how and when to clean it, and which products to use, to keep it looking great.

FAQ About Linoleum Floors

Conclusion

Linoleum flooring has been around for a long time, and with good reason. It’s one of the most durable and versatile types of flooring. You can keep it looking beautiful with the tips and methods we’ve outlined here.