4 Best Ways To Clean Linoleum Floors That Have Yellowed (Must-Try)

Linoleum is an attractive and durable flooring material with a shiny finish that complements modern spaces.

Unfortunately, aging and continual exposure to elements such as dirt, stains, and spills discolors and yellows the linoleum flooring. Fortunately, we have selected a few proven cleaning hacks that can help you restore it to its former glory.

Also, you will find easy-to-do homemade cleaning tricks that eliminate the need for professional cleaning services. Before listing them, let’s take a moment to understand why linoleum flooring yellows to pick the right cleaning solution.

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Causes of Yellowing on Linoleum Flooring

Linoleum is made out of natural materials, including linseed oil, cork dust, wood dust, and other types of fillers. The linseed oil is the prominent ingredient that provides its shiny accent, but it has a natural tendency to oxidation that causes linoleum to start yellowing over time.

It is worth noting that even the most careful cleaning method may sometimes discolor your linoleum flooring.

Bearing that in mind, below are the causes of yellowing on linoleum flooring. They include;

Oxidation

The primary cause of yellowing on linoleum is oxidation. Due to its natural tendency for oxidation, linseed oil presents a built-in flaw as it ages over time.

Use of Harsh Chemical Cleaners

Harsh chemical cleaners with ammonia ingredients are not recommended for cleaning linoleum flooring.

Ammonia has alkaline properties and is corrosive, which, when applied to the linoleum, can eat away at the flooring’s protective coatings. It makes linoleum more susceptible to discoloration and damage. On that note, you should carefully select cleaning products with neutral pH.

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Poor Exposure to Sunlight

Since linoleum has a natural tendency to oxidize, poor exposure to sunlight will enhance its oxidation, causing yellowing. It is most prominent if rugs cover the floor as it blocks the linoleum from receiving sufficient sunlight.

It is, therefore, recommended to open the windows to allow sunlight to offset discoloration and enhance the stability of linseed oil properties. But it would be wise to focus the light on the affected area and periodically expose linoleum to sunlight to avoid any discoloration in the future.

Linoleum Ages with Continuous Waxing

The yellowing on the linoleum flooring is likely to be brought about by aging after withstanding much waxing, spills, dirt, and stains. Since waxing is meant to maintain its shiny look, it becomes susceptible to attracting dust and dirt particles with time.

Consequently, years of layered waxes leave the floor looking less bright than when it was first installed.

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Use of Rubber Stoppers and Casings

Rubber stoppers and casings protect against high-pressure impact from heavy objects. However, it is not a wise idea for a linoleum floor because they contain antioxidants that react to the floor, causing discoloration that is even stubborn to eliminate.

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Cleaning Linoleum with Hot Water

Hot water can also cause discoloration of the linoleum flooring because it weakens the protective coating over time. Hence, predisposing it to other elements like dirt, stains, and causing discoloration.

Effective Ways to Clean Linoleum Floors That Have Yellowed

You can utilize many methods to clean yellow stains from linoleum floors effectively. But it would be best if you were very careful when utilizing the ingredients on the stain because it may discolor and harm your flooring.

Because of this, we strongly recommend testing any of the ingredients you think are convenient in a conspicuous corner before treating the whole surface. It will help you mix proportional ingredient formulas that will not harm your linoleum flooring.

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Using White Vinegar and Water

Mix a 1:1 (a gallon of water, a cup of vinegar) solution of white vinegar and cold water and apply it directly onto the yellowing stain. Allow it to sit for about 10-15 minutes to impact the stain.

Then wipe the surface with a lint-free cotton cloth or sponge and thoroughly rinse the surface with tap water.

If the stain is stubborn, reapply the solution of white vinegar with water on the stain. Sprinkle baking soda over the solution and allow it to sit for about 5-10 minutes. Take a soft-bristled nylon brush or any soft cloth and use it to damp mop over the baking soda.

Continue working on it until the stains disappear once you are done, damp mop the residue with clean and cold tap water. Dry the surface with a clean and lint-free cloth.

Baking Soda and Lemon Juice

Form a paste of baking soda and lemon juice by mixing them and then applying them directly to the yellow stains. Let it sit for a few minutes for the paste to ease the contact between the surface and the stain.

Take a toothbrush and gently work on the surface for a few minutes to effectively remove the stains. If the blemish has spread widely, use a brush with larger bristles.

Once you have noticed the discoloration has disappeared, thoroughly wipe the surface with a damp sponge and immediately dry the surface using a lint-free cotton cloth.

Bleach and White Vinegar

Mix a quart of bleach in one gallon of water, and apply to the floor with a damp, lint-free cloth. Let the solution soak the stained surface for about 30-45 minutes to loosen the stain.

Soak the solution with a sponge and then rinse the surface with cold water.

Next, fill up a bucket with a dash of white vinegar and water {a gallon of water, a cup of vinegar}. Damp a mop in the solution and use it to mop the entire floor. Once you have finished mopping, rinse the entire floor with cold water again.

Repeat this process for a couple of weeks to effectively eliminate the stains.

Bleach and Baking soda

Mix a quart of bleach in one gallon of water, and apply to the floor with a damp, lint-free cloth. Let the solution soak the stained surface for about 30-45 minutes to loosen the stain.

Soak the solution with a sponge and then rinse the surface with cold water. If the stain is stubborn, reapply the solution and sprinkle baking soda over the bleach mixture. It will lift the stain quicker and enhance the whitening action.

Damp-mop the surface, thoroughly rinse using cold water from the tap and dry the surface with a lint-free cloth.

To Conclude

Do not use cleaning products containing ammonia because it can enhance further discoloration and even harm the protective coating. It is best to use cleaning products with neutral pH.

Always let in sunlight in the house to treat your linoleum to retain its color and avoid discoloration. But ensure you regulate the light intensity and duration.

Do not use rubber stoppers and castings, and rugs on linoleum, as they leave behind ugly stains that are stubborn to get rid of.

Do not use warm water on linoleum because it weakens the protective coating.

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