cleaning older style linoleum ----

[mafibisha]

My little brother (age 30 ) and DSIL just bought their first house! So happy for them!

Its only 15 years old, and in really nice shape.

Except for the linoleum in the kitchen and both bathrooms. It is pretty icky. Since its beige -y and has the little crinkles in it, the dirt is deep and just isn't coming out.

I did try TYLOX on it (for showers) and that works pretty well! However, I know its probably not good for the linoleum.

So any ideas how to clean it or what to use? They can't afford to replace anything right now.
TIA

 

[Danemom]

My first thought was a magic eraser since it seems to get into grooves pretty well.

 

[Gigi22]

If what you are seeing is the result of a wax buildup on the floor, you will have to strip the wax off. We had linoleum floors in our house when I was a child--my mother would manually remove the wax buildup with one of those soap-filled scouring pads and hot water, just scrubbing the wax off. There was a separate rinse to get the soap off. This is quite hard work--I would test one small corner of the floor to see what results you get first.
I believe there are also online instructions how to remove wax from linoleum with a solution of ammonia and water on eHow. If you go this route, you have to have proper ventilation, as ammonia should not be inhaled. (And make sure you do not have any bleach, or products containing bleach, in use in the house at the same time).
After you get the wax off the floor, you clean it with vinegar and water.

 

[dawson5]

Sounds like our first house, had really old, ugly linoleum. I used hot water, ammonia, scrub brush and elbow grease. Letting the hot water and ammonia sit seemed to break down the compounded dirt, grease and whatever else.

 

[mafibisha]

My first thought was a magic eraser since it seems to get into grooves pretty well.

Good idea! We have some of those here! (still helping them move and clean)

If what you are seeing is the result of a wax buildup on the floor, you will have to strip the wax off. (And make sure you do not have any bleach, or products containing bleach, in use in the house at the same time).
After you get the wax off the floor, you clean it with vinegar and water.

My mom doesn't think its a wax buildup, but was just surfaced cleaned for years, allowing the dirt to settle into the little grooves.
So vinegar and water is worth a try too! But if its not a wax buildup but just plain icky dirt, think it'll still work?

Sounds like our first house, had really old, ugly linoleum. I used hot water, ammonia, scrub brush and elbow grease. Letting the hot water and ammonia sit seemed to break down the compounded dirt, grease and whatever else.

Do you remember how long you'd let the water and ammonia sit?

Thanks all for your replies!

 

[Conkozan]

Ammonia & hot water with a scrub brush. I would be afraid that a steel wool scrubber would damage the floor.

Apply solution to area 3-4 feet square, let soak for 3 minutes. Scrub vigorously with scrub brush or nylon pad. Mop up solution from floor and apply clean rinse water with clean mop. Mop up the rinse water and repeat the process until the entire floor is strpped and rinsed. Change stripping solution and rinse water often. Allow the floor to dry thoroughly. The floor should appear uniformly dull.

Repolishing: Apply 2-3 coats of Linoleum floor polish with a clean damp mop. Let dry at least 30 minutes between coats and allow final coat at least 60 minutes to dry. Do not use the stripper on a new floor. (I use either Armstrong New Beginnings or the old fashion one from the grocery store)

Armstrong used to make a stripper that I bought at Home Depot, but the ammonia and water did the same thing and was mucho cheaper.

 

[ceecee]

Pour ammonia on it and let it sit for a while.

 

[lakoda]

I have used a homemade remedy, but it has been many years and I can't remember everything in it. I do recall that it had pure ammonia, because I always had to go to the store specifically to get it. I am thinking it also had something made of powder - I want to say that it was a bit of washing detergent. And hot hot water. Anyway, this mixture was AMAZING. I never had to scrub it, just let it sit for about 10 minutes and then mop up. No scrubbing required! I tried searching, but can't seem to find it....so if you come across something similar you could try it. Sorry I can't be more helpful! I think that I got the recipe from these boards but it would have been over 6 years ago.

 

[fakereadhed]

Ammonia and hot water(with good ventilation) and let it sit 5 min. No need to scour it- the more scratches the uglier it will be. After it is clean follow up with a liquid wax. That will restore a glossy shine.

Each week mop with Mop n Glow if you can find it. It has ammonia and wax so it will shine but not build up.

P.S. I do not miss my old linoleum!!!

 

[Vijoge]

If the house is only 15 years old I doubt the flooring is linoleum. It's more likely some type of vinyl flooring. If it's not wax build up, but dirt embedded in the texture, you should be able to remove it with any good cleaner (****'n'span, 409, etc). The problem is getting in the little cracks, and for that I use a toothbrush! Tedious, but it works.

 

[mafibisha]

If the house is only 15 years old I doubt the flooring is linoleum. It's more likely some type of vinyl flooring. If it's not wax build up, but dirt embedded in the texture, you should be able to remove it with any good cleaner (****'n'span, 409, etc). The problem is getting in the little cracks, and for that I use a toothbrush! Tedious, but it works.

Yeah, good point. We did try other cleaners, but didn't work too well.

So then, would the ammonia thing be too strong?

Thanks all!!!!

 

[Judique]

Yeah, good point. We did try other cleaners, but didn't work too well.

So then, would the ammonia thing be too strong?

Thanks all!!!!

Yes, if it is vinyl. The finish is on the surface of most vinyl and if it was really grimy looking, it probably just needs replacing. It looks nice new, but doesn't hold up too long.

 

[dyna]

I even resorted to gently using toothpicks to get all the grime from all the cracks....very time consuming. Hopefully they will be able to replace their floors sooner than I was mine.