How to Clean Discolored Vinyl Flooring?

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Have you got vinyl flooring in your kitchen? It’s a very popular option. The floor covering is water-resistant. It’s attractive and durable. The surface is sleek, easy to care for. However, how to clean discolored vinyl flooring? Harsh cleaners like bleach can damage it. Which solutions are safe? Which methods are recommended to remove stains?

Pros and Cons of Vinyl Floors

The covering is often selected by young and new homeowners. It can be compared to linoleum. Vinyl is:

• versatile;
• stain-resistant;
• cost-efficient.

The material is quite affordable. Meanwhile, it doesn’t look cheap. The flooring lasts for many years, looking as good as after the installation. Within the California Code of Regulations, it is mentioned as one of the resilient flooring types.

However, excessive heat and direct sunshine can discolor the surface. Deep cleaning can leave a bleach stain on the vinyl floor. Harsh chemicals may make it yellowish. Rubber rugs can also ruin the tile color.

Vinyl Flooring & Health Risks

Vinyl is often selected for high-traffic and busy areas. Have you got pets? If they are messy, it’s a good option. However, is it healthy? Vinyl is a synthetic material. It’s a simplified name of PVC plastic. Vinyl contains some dangerous toxins, for example:

1. Phthalates.
2. Lead.
3. Styrene.
4. Formaldehyde.

However, the major danger is dioxin gas. It’s released during PVC production and recycling. What about your home conditions? According to research, the release temperature is about 482° F. The best mop for vinyl floors is completely safe in that respect. The steam temperature is up to 250 degrees. Consequences of fire can be dangerous. The smokes are irritating and toxic. Summer heat and sunshine are ok.

Types of Vinyl Flooring

Vinyl is considered to be as versatile and warm, as carpeting. However, its sleek surface is much easier to clean. Do you compare steam clean vs shampoo carpet cleaning methods? Both of them can be time-consuming. It could take up to 24 hours for the carpets to dry completely.

Vinyl surface is the fastest to clean. However, it still depends on the flooring type.

Do you wonder, how to clean vinyl plank floors? With numerous seams, it can be a bit tricky. They can collect grease. Additionally, excess water is undesirable. Can it damage the plastic surface? Of course not. It’s still able to destroy the glue. The tiles or planks get loose on the corners in some years.

How to Deep Clean Vinyl Floors?

Everyday cleaning is simple. Just remove debris and dirt. If it remains, it can scuff the surface. Fine particles of sand work as sandpaper. They gradually remove the finish. So, it’s sufficient to vacuum and broom the floor every day. Dust, hair and food particles are swept away. Pay attention to the areas under furniture, corners and beveled edges.

Wet cleaning with mild soaps or vinegar is to be frequent. If you have dogs or cats, you are to do it every day. Otherwise, weekly mopping can be sufficient. Deep cleaning can be necessary only in about 10-15 years. It’s essential when the floor is heavily scuffed and stained. Do you know, how to deep clean linoleum floors? Baking soda would be useful. Otherwise, you can cover the flooring with rugs or just replace the linoleum. Are there any other worthy solutions?

Regular Cleaning

Weekly cleaning can be made with mild cleaning products. The best way to clean textured vinyl flooring is by using green solutions. The list of safe cleaners includes:

• dish soap;
• baby shampoo;
• mild detergents.

However, the scum makes the surface sticky. It will collect dirt. Therefore, damp or steam mopping with clean water is preferable. Additionally, cleaning vinyl floors with grooves, don’t forget to rinse the surface. The second microfiber mop can be necessary.

How to Clean Vinyl Floors with Vinegar?

On the contrary, vinegar works well. It’s harmless, eco-friendly. Additionally, the solution disinfects the floors and cleans them. So, dissolve a cup of white vinegar into a gallon of clean water. Apple cider vinegar can be used instead. It helps you to get rid of grime and dirt.

If you’ve prepared the solution:

• dip a mop;
• wring it;
• clean the floor;
• rinse the cloth or sponge off and proceed with mopping.

Several drops of essential oil add shine to the surface. For example, jojoba oil works well. The smell in the kitchen would be better after the mopping!

Stain Removing Methods

Spot cleaning can become really challenging. Purple stain on vinyl floor looks terrible. Especially if the covering was initially white. It can be a sign of fungus or mildew forming. However, it possible outdoors only. Humidity indoors is not so high, even in a bathroom.

So, the best is to use the liquids recommended by the flooring manufacturers. For example, rejuvenate vinyl floor cleaner is highly efficient. Its formula is pH neutral. Additionally, the solution protects and seals the tiles or planks.

How to Whiten Yellowed Vinyl?

What else can be used to get rid of spots and scuff? There are several well-known solutions. For example:

1. WD-40 removes scuffs.
2. Baking soda eliminates spills of juice and or wine.
3. Mineral spirits can be applied to tough paint or crayon marks.

Have you dropped ink or make-up? Rubbing alcohol helps you to remove the stains. Acetone-free nail remover can be also useful. However, be careful with it. Try on an insignificant area at first.

What about yellow discoloration? It can be removed by bleach or vinegar solutions. However, bleach can damage the surface. A top-quality steam cleaner is a good whitener. Pick the suitable brush and it does the job.

Final Judgment

Thus, PVC plastic is a convenient material. It’s easy to keep clean and maintain. However, discolored vinyl flooring in bathroom required deep cleaning. The stains and limescale are difficult to remove. So, use only green, safe solutions or steam to clean the surface.

Video Instruction: Cleaning Stains from Linoleum and Vinyl Flooring

Further Reading

• Back to Floors
• Back to Kitchen
• Back to Bathroom