Maintaining the Home:
Interior Maintenance
Vinyl and Linoleum Floor Covering Cleaning and Care
Vinyl Floor Coverings: Cleaning and Care
Regular cleaning
Use the mildest method you can to clean the floor. Vacuum or sweep regularly to remove dirt before it gets ground into the floor. Wipe up spills at once. When soil won't come up with a vacuum, clean the floor with a damp mop, using cool to lukewarm water. Rub the floor only enough to remove dirt on the surface.
Wash only when dirt will not come off by the milder methods listed above. Use a solution of warm (not hot) water and detergent. Apply a small amount with a mop or sponge, rubbing only enough to loosen dirt. Pick up the dirt with a mop or sponge. Rinse off all the solution thoroughly with clean, cool water. Always rinse well no matter what the detergent or cleaner directions specify about not rinsing.
When cleaning, try to remove any soil without destroying the wax film on the floor so you don't have to rewax too often.
Waxing
Wax vinyl flooring when it is new and always keep it protected with a coat of wax. When washing does not bring back the vinyl's shine, put a thin coat of self-polishing wax on the dry, clean floor. Regular wax will give more protection and shine than one-step wax-and-clean products, but it will build up over time.
A solvent-based polishing wax, which can be buffed with an electric polisher, may also be used on vinyl if desired. It must be thoroughly buffed, following the directions on the wax label. It will not build up.
Cleaning vinyl no-wax floors
A vinyl or polyurethane finish has been applied on the surface to keep a shine without waxing. The urethane is more durable. To keep it shiny, keep it clean.
When washing with a detergent solution, be very sure to rinse it all off. One-step clean-and-wax products may leave a film that covers the shine. Be sure to test if using any of these products. Occasional buffing will heighten the shine.
Eventually all finishes will lose some of their shine as the finish coating wears. Renew it by applying a water-based, self-polishing wax. Special vinyl floor finishes sold at flooring stores also may be used, but usually cost more. If the vinyl has a sculptured pattern, apply the finish thinly so no pools of wax collect in low spots.
Applying a self-cleaning floor wax or finish to the "no-wax" vinyl floor can protect it from gritty dirt that will eventually scratch the surface. It also will prevent wear in high traffic areas. Removing dirt promptly with a vacuum and damp-mopping when necessary will also help reduce scratching of the surface.
Linoleum: Care and Cleaning
Linoleum is an older floor covering that may be found in some older homes. It needs waxing to preserve its surface. Usually a water-based self-polishing wax works best, but a solvent-based wax applied with an electric buffer also can be used. Linoleum dents easily and is badly damaged by alkalis.
Clean linoleum with a mild detergent and water solution and rinse thoroughly. Do not use ammonia or strong alkalis. If a water-based wax has to be removed, do not use ammonia or other alkaline cleaners.
This material was adapted from publications produced by Michigan State University.
