How to Maintain a Linoleum Floor

Linoleum is a flooring material with multiple advantages. Made from natural materials, it is an environmentally friendly material and is used both by private individuals and professionals in various sectors. It can be found in hospitals, schools, hotels, and retail establishments, as well as other places.

Expertise

The advantages of a lino floor

From a practical standpoint, linoleum is easy to install and extremely durable, allowing it to retain its properties for many years when properly maintained. Linoleum owes its resilience to the presence of linseed oil in its production and to its thickness, making it less impacted by the effects of constant foot traffic and wear.

Very easy to maintain (a broom is sufficient), it is also particularly hygienic due to its antibacterial and antiviral characteristics. Linoleum is a high performance product and does not require sealing, a process that can be carried out using the product “Neocare” which protects surfaces from chemical or physical aggressions.

Furthermore, linoleum offers excellent acoustic and thermal insulation properties, providing unparalleled comfort.

How to Clean Linoleum Floors

Linoleum does not require complicated maintenance but as it is a specific material, it is essential to follow a few maintenance rules to avoid permanent damage.

Linoleum is a particularly hygienic floor covering because receives a stain and bacteria-resistant treatment during the production process. Unlike other floor coverings, it does not require chemical products for cleaning. Several completely natural solutions are suitable for its maintenance.

Please note that for large surfaces or heavy traffic, it is more practical to opt for mechanical cleaning to maintain your linoleum floor, a floor scrubber for instance.

Totally natural solutions

Soapy Water

To clean your linoleum floor on a daily basis, soapy water is a perfectly suitable method.

Before washing a linoleum floor, it is recommended to remove the dust, preferably with a vacuum cleaner.

Then prepare a mixture of hot water and a few drops of washing up liquid or soap flakes then clean with a mop. Please note that the mop should only be slightly damp, as linoleum does not tolerate excessive amounts of water.

Black Soap

Ideal for degreasing linoleum floors, black soap is also an ecological and efficient cleaning method.

To clean a linoleum floor using black soap, simply fill a bucket with hot water and add two tablespoons of black soap. Clean the floor using a mop (making sure it is well wrung out). After completing the operation, rinse the linoleum floor with clean water.

White Vinegar

This simple trick is perfect for disinfecting floors. Pour half a glass of white vinegar into a bucket of hot water and use it to wash the linoleum. To avoid the unpleasant smell of vinegar, you can add one or two drops of essential oil to the mixture.

Washing soda

In the case of particularly stubborn stains, soapy water or white vinegar may not be enough to clean a linoleum floor. In this case, you can use washing soda, which is very useful for removing stains from linoleum floors.

Mix about three tablespoons of soda crystals in a bucket filled with a litre of hot water and carefully wring out the mop before cleaning the floor. Rinse with clean water, and wring out the mop thoroughly before use.

Products to Avoid for Linoleum Maintenance

As mentioned earlier, linoleum is primarily made from natural materials such as wood flour, linseed oil, and natural pigments. Therefore, it is a relatively delicate material and is incompatible with some cleaning products.

It is important to avoid abrasive or highly concentrated products such as bleach, ammonia, or acetone. This type of product is likely to damage the colour and shine of the linoleum floor.

How to Remove Stains from Linoleum

In practice, it depends on the type of stain you need to clean! Soda crystals are ideal, for example, for removing stains caused by food, while linseed oil is perfect for cleaning moisture stains.

However, if you are unsure of the cause of the stain, the safest option is to rub the stain with a damp sponge. You can also use a cloth dipped in a stone based cleaning paste for perfect results.

Whatever you do, remember that linoleum is not designed to be in contact with large amounts of water.

How to Restore A Shine to Linoleum

To restore the former shine to an old linoleum flooring, there is a highly efficient old wive’s trick: egg yolk! Use the yolk of one egg and mix it in about half a litre of lukewarm water.

Then dip a soft cloth in the mixture and use it to energetically rub the linoleum floor. Once the linoleum floor is completely dry, it will be like new and shinier than ever!

Gerflor is committed to the environment

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Gerflor teams have always put customers and the environment at the center of their concerns.
Our floor coverings, wall solutions and finishing elements are designed to last as long as possible, to make life easier for users, and to preserve their health. They are also environmentally friendly, both in the way they are designed and in the options available at the end of their lives.

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