Stains on linoleum - how to deal with them: methods and recommendations on how to remove them

Modern polymer flooring is extremely popular. This is due to its functionality, affordable price, high quality, and easy maintenance. This material looks beautiful, is easy to clean, and has a long service life. But sometimes persistent dirt appears on the surface of the linoleum coating. Most often they are observed in the nursery and kitchen. The problem of how to remove stains from linoleum is relevant for many housewives who have not been able to get rid of dirt using a regular soap solution. It is worth noting that the method of removing each individual spot will depend on the characteristics of its origin.


The best way to get rid of stubborn stains on linoleum is to prevent them from appearing Source couo.ru

Helpful cleaning tips

Before you start cleaning linoleum from old or fresh stains, it is advisable to familiarize yourself with the following recommendations:

  • Any contamination should first be treated with an ordinary soap solution. There is a possibility that this may be enough to remove the stain, and other methods will not be needed at all.
  • Aggressive chemicals (for example, gasoline, alcohol) are diluted with water before use, all components are used in the same quantity.
  • The polymer coating does not tolerate extremely low and high temperatures. Therefore, you cannot wash linoleum with very hot water, or lay it in an unheated room.
  • The solvent is applied only to rags, which are subsequently used to treat the contaminated area. It is unacceptable to apply aggressive liquid directly to the material.
  • To clean the polymer base, it is not advisable to use hard sponges or brushes. To avoid accidentally damaging the surface, it is better to use softer materials.
  • Upon completion of cleaning, the floor covering should be treated with a soapy solution, then wiped dry.

No one can say how one or another cleaning agent will affect a particular PVC material. In order for the cleaning process to be successful and new stains not to form on the treated surface, the purchased chemical must be tested in an inconspicuous area (somewhere under the sofa, crib).


Before you begin removing stains from the flooring, you need to prepare tools, cleaning compounds, and personal protective equipment Source cleanadvice.ru

Several recommendations for choosing cleaning products depending on the characteristics of linoleum

First of all, when choosing one of the stain removers, you need to consider the type of linoleum that will be cleaned. The fact is that different floor coverings differ in quality and strength characteristics. Therefore, a minute of attention must be paid to the types of linoleum most commonly used in ordinary apartments.

Table: Types of linoleum and features of its cleaning.

IllustrationBrief description and cleaning recommendations

Baseless linoleum - this flooring has a small thickness, so it is resistant to mechanical stress, as well as aggressive detergents and cleaning chemicals. In this regard, removing stains from it should be done using gentle, gentle methods, otherwise the coating may be irrevocably damaged.

Linoleum coating on a foamed PVC base - this material can have a thickness of up to 3.5 mm. It is quite resistant to detergents and most chemicals, so chlorine-containing products are an ideal option for removing stains of various natures from it.

Felt-based linoleum is considered insulated, so its thickness can be 4÷5 mm. Despite the fact that its outer layer is comparable to a baseless material, that is, it has a thickness of 1.5 mm, it has fairly high strength characteristics, since it is designed for deflection of a soft base. Therefore, linoleum is not particularly afraid of detergents and mechanical influences.

Types of pollution

In practice, stains on linoleum are removed using different methods. The choice of the latter largely depends on the nuances of the origin of the spots and how long ago they were formed. In order to choose the right cleaning product, it is important to know why stains appeared.

There are the following types of linoleum coating contamination:

  • fat;
  • speck of brilliant green, iodine;
  • traces of various food products;
  • felt-tip pens, ink;
  • wax, paraffin;
  • gum;
  • rust;
  • dye.

Attention! If pockets of dirt appear on their own, on the eve of the cleaning procedure, you need to determine the real reason for their formation.


When caring for synthetic flooring, it is advisable to use only soft materials that are gentle on detergents Source cleanadvice.ru

Recommendations for caring for linoleum flooring

In order for linoleum to have a respectable appearance and look new for as long as possible, you should follow some recommendations for caring for it:

  • The first time after laying the covering, cleaning should be done only using a dry method. It is recommended to immediately treat linoleum in rooms with high traffic volumes such as the hallway, kitchen and corridor with special protective polymer compounds. These products will protect the surface from dirty marks and stains. After the protective coating has dried, you can dry clean the floor using a vacuum cleaner.
  • In the future, you can switch to wet cleaning using a washing vacuum cleaner or a damp cloth. You can add a small amount of detergent to warm water to clean linoleum. It is better to use compounds specifically designed for linoleum.
  • If it is necessary to disinfect premises - hallway, corridor, bathroom, kitchen, it is necessary to choose non-aggressive antiseptic compounds or dilute them half with water.
  • To “revive” the colors of old linoleum, it should be wiped with water and milk. For such a solution, the components are taken in equal parts.


Regular and properly cared for linoleum will keep the coating fresh for as long as possible.

  • To make the coating shine, polishes, colorless mastics, potato broth, drying oil, and linseed oil are used. Drying oil or oil is applied to the linoleum using a napkin, and then rubbed in with a dry soft cloth - this procedure must be performed once every 5-6 months. These substances will not only enhance the colors of the material, but will also provide protection for it, since any foreign substance will be much easier to clean off from the surface.
  • The chemical compositions used for cleaning must be compatible with each other, that is, not react or neutralize each other’s effects.


Dry cleaning of linoleum from dust and dirt

  • If you plan to carry out wet cleaning, you must first clean the surface of dust, sand and small debris - this can be done with a broom, a special brush-mop or a vacuum cleaner. This will prevent damage to the coating by dirt particles that have abrasive properties.
  • To ensure that there are no stains left on the linoleum after wet cleaning, which are especially visible on dark material, it should be wiped dry.

From all of the above it is clear that caring for this floor covering is not at all difficult. And stains that have arisen during everyday use can be cleaned using various methods, choosing one that is suitable for the material and method of application.

* * * * * * *

At the end of the publication, there is a useful informative video in which its author shares his secrets of caring for linoleum.

Removal methods

You need to get rid of any stains on linoleum quickly: it is always easier to wash off fresh dirt.

Iodine, wine, juice

All kinds of traces from drinks, beets, dyes can be easily removed with bleach. It is diluted according to the instructions, then the problem area is treated with the prepared solution. After just five minutes, the bleach will react with the pigment, after which the stain will simply disappear.

It is also allowed to use various products that contain chlorine (“Domestos”, “Belizna”). A more gentle way to remove stains from iodine or juice involves the use of starch and baking soda. They are applied in a thick layer to the contaminated area, covered with a moistened rag, and left for 15 minutes. After the specified time, the residues are removed using the same rag.

Important! After applying bleach, whitish marks sometimes remain on dark linoleum flooring.


Disinfecting bleach can remove not only germs from linoleum, but also stains from iodine and various drinks Source sw-chemprom.ru

Removing stains from linoleum

Before you begin removing stains from the flooring, you must prepare personal protective equipment. Even if harmless, non-toxic substances are used for cleaning, it is still recommended to protect your hands from them by wearing high rubber gloves.


A set of tools and special products for caring for floor coverings. Don't forget about the necessary precautions!

When choosing caustic drugs, your eyes also need to be protected by at least using regular glasses.

In addition, you will need a brush, soft napkins or soft rags, toilet paper or paper napkins and a container for warm water.

Due to the fact that the nature of the appearance of stains can be different, the methods for cleaning them also differ. Therefore, they should be considered separately.

Green stains

One of the most corrosive substances that is difficult to remove from linoleum is brilliant green, popularly called brilliant green. It is especially difficult to remove traces of it if a whole bottle of this disinfectant is spilled on the coating, which was not immediately removed, since it is very quickly absorbed into any surface.


One of the fairly common problems that causes a lot of trouble is brilliant green that gets onto the surface of the linoleum.

  • Therefore, if such a nuisance occurs, the first thing you need to do is, without any delay, carefully blot the puddle with a soft cloth or paper towel. Any toilet paper will also work for this purpose. The stain should not be rubbed - the puddle should be absorbed into the napkin without increasing in area.
  • Another way to prevent the brilliant green from spreading and smearing is to fill it with salt or sand, which will quickly absorb the liquid. After the liquid has been removed from the surface, the stain remaining on the coating must be washed with a chlorine-containing agent added to an aqueous soap solution. If necessary, chlorine powder can be poured directly onto the stain, but not for long, no more than five minutes, as it can not only remove the brilliant green, but also leave white faded marks on the coating.
  • Another option for removing fresh stains from brilliant green is 30% acetic acid and hydrogen peroxide. To use them, you need to prepare a piece of cotton wool or a soft cloth, which is soaked in vinegar and peroxide and placed on top of the stain. However, these products are not suitable for cleaning thin linoleum, as they can damage it.


The reaction between regular baking soda and acetic acid helps to deal with green stains

  • Vinegar can also be used in combination with baking soda. The stain is poured last, and then a small amount of 9% vinegar is poured onto it. As a result, a reaction occurs in which the mixture perfectly reduces the greens.
  • You can try using laundry soap to remove brilliant green. A thick solution should be prepared from it - 2 tablespoons of grated soap per 1 cup of boiling water. This composition must be applied hot to the green stain, then moisten a soft cloth in it and place it on top of the area to be cleaned for several hours. In some cases, this procedure must be repeated several times. Instead of washing powder, a dry cleaning agent can be used.


Filling a fresh stain of brilliant green with washing powder.

  • Sometimes washing powder for white fabrics is suitable for getting rid of green stains. You can immediately cover spilled brilliant green with it - just like salt or sand, it can absorb liquid, but at the same time it will lighten the brilliant green itself, which has already been absorbed into the coating. Instead of washing powder, you can use a dry cleaning agent used for dishes, which is usually found in every kitchen.


It is more difficult if the “traces of the crime” are noticed late, and the brilliant green has already managed to be absorbed into the coating.
However, there are ways for such cases. To remove old diamond green stains, there are a number of other substances and recipes:

  • Acetone, gasoline or kerosene will help deal with brilliant green that was spilled a long time ago and has managed to penetrate the structure of the top layer of the floor covering. One of the selected products is applied to a cotton swab, which is used to treat the stain. This swab should be left on the surface for 40–60 minutes. True, the process should be periodically monitored so as not to completely ruin the linoleum.


Treatment in two stages can help deal with old stains of brilliant green: first vinegar + potassium permanganate, then vinegar + hydrogen peroxide.

  • A two-step process that uses acetic acid, potassium permanganate (potassium permanganate) and hydrogen peroxide will help you deal with old brilliant green stains. The first stage consists of applying a solution consisting of 50 grams of 9% vinegar and potassium permanganate, taken on the tip of a knife. When the crystals dissolve in the mixture, you need to wet the sponge and then treat the green spot with it, which should change color to a brownish-yellow hue. After this, the stain is washed with warm water. Next comes the second stage, during which hydrogen peroxide should be applied to the stain, to which 30% vinegar is added. This composition should lighten and clean the stain. If necessary, the cleaning steps must be repeated.
  • Camphor alcohol is also often used when you want to get rid of brilliant green on linoleum. The product must be rubbed well into the stain and then rinsed with warm water.
  • Hydrochloric acid in a concentration of 3÷5% is the most effective cleaning agent for brilliant green. It is applied to the stain for a few minutes, after which the floors are wiped with a damp cloth. But at the same time, there remains a possibility of damaging the linoleum if the material does not have the proper resistance. Therefore, first it is better to conduct an experiment to see how the coating will behave when exposed to acid, on a small, inconspicuous area of ​​the floor.

Rust on linoleum

Another difficult-to-remove contaminant from linoleum is rust, which also eats well into the structure of the material and is clearly visible on light-colored coatings. These may be red or brown spots in the shape of metal objects that have stood or previously been lying in this place for quite a long time.


Steel objects standing motionless in one place for a long time can leave stubborn rust stains on the linoleum.

Such stains can be removed using special products. Another option is to try to cope with them using folk remedies:

  • Lemon juice. In order to get rid of rust using this product, moisten a soft cloth with lemon juice and apply it to the stain, leaving it to dry. If necessary, the procedure must be repeated. If the dirt is small in size, then you can even place a cut slice of lemon on top of it.
  • In addition to regular juice, citric acid is used to remove stains, which can be purchased in liquid or crystallized form. To prepare the composition, you will need a glass of hot water, to which is added a teaspoon of salt and the same amount of acid. The resulting solution treats rust on linoleum. If necessary, several times.
  • Another way to clean old rust stains from linoleum is with chlorine bleaches, such as White. It is diluted with water in a ratio of 1:10, and then the resulting composition is applied to the stain and left for 40-60 minutes. After this, the linoleum is washed and treated with lemon juice.
  • Kerosene is also widely used to combat rust stains. You can pour it onto the area to be cleaned or moisten a soft cloth with it generously and lay it on the rust for 35-40 minutes. After the specified time, the linoleum is washed with warm water.
  • Acetic acid (one tablespoon), diluted in a glass of water, and ammonia solution. The first step is to treat the stain with a vinegar solution, and then immediately apply ammonia to it. This procedure should be repeated several times until the desired result is achieved.

Ink stains

Ink stains have recently become quite rare on linoleum, as fountain pens and sippy-drip inkwells have become a thing of the past. However, if for some reason an ordinary ballpoint pen sits under a hot radiator or on an area of ​​the floor heated by the sun's rays, then the linoleum will be stained with ink.

So, how to remove these unpleasant stains from the surface, which significantly spoil the appearance of the coating.

  • If an ink stain is detected immediately, before the liquid has had time to evaporate, then the first thing to do is to blot the stain with a paper towel or toilet paper. Thick ballpoint pen paste should be carefully collected with a spatula, being careful not to smear the stain over the surface.
  • The next step is to apply detergents. Domestos is good for removing ink. It can be used in its pure form, poured onto pre-moistened stains and left to act on it for 5-10 minutes. Instead of the above-mentioned product, the usual “Whiteness” or another chlorine-containing substance is used.
  • If a “picture” was found on light linoleum, drawn by a child with a ballpoint or gel pen, then to clean the surface you can use dry dishwashing powder, and then the same “Domestos”
  • Turpentine and gasoline are good helpers in the fight against ink. These compounds are applied to a napkin, which is used to wipe off the dirt. You can leave the fabric on the stain for 10-15 minutes. These products will not damage the surface of the coating.

Stains from rubber soles of shoes

Traces of black rubber left on linoleum by the soles of shoes are also difficult to remove. However, there is a solution here too. To clean such stains, gasoline is used to wipe off the dirt.


Traces from rubber soles, shoe polish or tar accidentally brought onto shoes from the street should “move away” when treated with pure gasoline.

This product is also suitable for removing shoe polish or tar, which can also be brought home on shoes.

Wax stains

Cleaning wax from linoleum is easy. If it somehow gets on the coating, do not touch it until it cools down. Then, the wax can be easily removed with a knife or spatula.


You can remove a wax stain from linoleum using the “hot method” - using an iron and a napkin.

  • If the wax is spread over the coating in a thin layer, then the area contaminated with it should be covered with a paper towel, toilet paper, laid in several layers, or a thick, well-absorbent cloth. Then, it is recommended to lay parchment paper on top of it (so as not to stain the sole of the iron with wax). After this, the paper is ironed with a well-heated iron. The wax should melt and be absorbed into a soft cloth. In the same way, wax can be removed from carpet or other coverings.
  • If there is a stain left on the coating from colored wax, it can be removed with gasoline.

You should not try to peel off a thin layer of wax with a spatula or knife. The sharp edges of the tool can easily damage the coating, especially if it is made of foamed PVC.

Oily stains

Grease stains on linoleum mainly occur in the kitchen. Usually, in such conditions, there is always a means at hand that can quickly prevent the spreading and solidification of oil or fat.

  • If a greasy substance has just been spilled on the floors, then you should urgently cover it with any powder - it could be salt, soda, washing powder or dishwashing detergent. Instead of bulk products, you can use paper towels, laying them on top of the fat in several layers. After waiting for the oil to be absorbed, the powder or wipes must be removed by throwing it in the toilet or trash can. The area to be cleaned is thoroughly washed with any soap solution. If the grease is not removed in time, it can spread throughout the apartment and ruin not only the linoleum, but also firmly settle in the carpeting.
  • If the greasy stains on the linoleum are old and mixed with dust and dirt (this can happen in hard-to-reach, inconspicuous places), then cleaning them will take more time. First, they should be soaked by placing a rag soaked in a soapy solution on top. Under the influence of the detergent, the stain should soften, and it can be easily cleaned with the hard side of a sponge or a stiff brush. After removing the grease, the coating naturally needs to be washed by adding detergent to warm water.

Mold on linoleum

If black mold has captured most of the linoleum, then you shouldn’t even waste effort, time and health on removing it, since the coating will simply have to be bathed in bleach. And at the same time, there is still no guarantee that the damage will be dealt with, since the lesions could well have managed to penetrate into the structure of the coating, and after a while the mold will appear again. Such linoleum must be dismantled and removed away from residential premises - simply sent to a landfill.


Such linoleum cannot be restored. It will have to be dismantled and replaced with another covering after carrying out certain “therapeutic” procedures on the base of the floor.

After removing the damaged coating, the fight against mold does not end. To ensure that the new linoleum does not soon suffer from microflora, pockets of which are probably preserved at the base, and possibly along the lower part of the walls, it is necessary to take a number of measures. And first of all, you should determine the cause of mold.

  • In panel houses, this could be poorly sealed seams between wall slabs, through which external moisture, penetrating from the street, moistened the linoleum, thereby creating a favorable environment for the formation and development of mold. Therefore, the seams will have to be cleaned and filled with a new, more moisture-resistant solution. Usually this work is entrusted to professional builders.
  • Floors located above an unheated and unventilated basement are particularly susceptible to mold damage. Here you will have to work on the ceiling both from the basement and from the apartment side, and also try to arrange the possibility of air ventilation in the lower room. Floor slabs must be treated with deep penetration antiseptic primer in several layers. Some solutions are capable of penetrating 150 mm into the structure of the slab, which will provide high-quality protection for the floor material.
  • Before covering the floors with a new coating, it is recommended to insulate the floors of the first floor. For this purpose, it is better to choose a non-moisture-absorbing, “breathable” material.

Insulating the floors of the first floor is an important task!

High-quality thermal insulation will not only improve indoor comfort, but will also significantly reduce the likelihood of mold damage to the ceiling and floor covering. Detailed information about methods and materials for insulating the floor of the first floor is available in a special publication on our portal.

If mold was found on the linoleum in one of the corners of the room, then you can try to fight it. And this process consists of the following stages:

  • The linoleum must be freed from the baseboard and unscrewed, revealing the base. Then, also find and eliminate the cause of the fungus. External moisture should not penetrate into the room, otherwise all work to combat mold will be in vain.
  • Next, the area on the base of the floor, as well as on the linoleum, where mold stains are found, must be washed well with a chlorine solution and then dried well. For these purposes, you can use a heat gun or a heat fan, which is directed at the treated area.


It is completely pointless to remove mold stains on linoleum if the causes of its appearance and high-quality “treatment” of the affected area of ​​the floor and walls have not been carried out.

  • Then, the affected areas should be treated with special antiseptic compounds that can penetrate deeply into the structure of the materials. After treatment, the surfaces and flooring must be thoroughly dried.
  • After this, the linoleum can be returned to its place. It should be remembered that this area of ​​the floor must be constantly monitored. Because if you miss the moment, mold can “reanimate” and even take over the walls of the room.

Paint stains on linoleum

To easily remove recently spilled oil or alkyd paint from linoleum, you can use regular sunflower oil. It copes well with compounds that have not yet hardened. In addition, the oil can also be used to wash hands from paint that is not of aqueous origin.

  • In addition, a fresh paint stain can be removed using a soap-soda solution, which requires 1 liter of warm water, 20 grams of laundry soap and the same amount of baking soda. The area of ​​contamination is washed with this composition; if necessary, the surface will have to be rubbed with the hard side of the sponge. After which the floors are washed with warm water.
  • It is more difficult to remove dried “blots” or traces of paint scattered across the surface. But this is also quite possible. To work, you will need solvent “646”, which is used to moisten a napkin and generously moisten the contaminated area with it. The solvent is able to penetrate between paint and linoleum. After this, the stain is usually easily removed from the surface; you just need to carefully lift it with the edge of a knife or spatula.

Cat urine odor and stains

Cat urine has a persistent odor that persists for a long time, especially in cases where the stains are not removed immediately.


If the puddle is immediately removed and washed, then there will be no traces or smell left of it.

To get rid of this trouble, you can use several means - hydrogen peroxide, iodine diluted in water, vodka, lemon juice, vinegar or chlorine-containing compounds.

  • Vodka is a good stain and odor remover. In addition, cats categorically cannot stand the “aroma” of alcohol, but it itself does not linger for long in an open place. Therefore, this product can be used for fresh stains - that is, after removing the liquid with a regular rag, you should immediately treat the area with vodka or alcohol.
  • Vinegar is more resistant to weathering. The 9% composition is diluted in a 1:1 ratio with water, and sprayed from a spray bottle into the contaminated area and left for a couple of hours. Then, the linoleum must be washed with water, adding a detergent that has a pleasant aroma.
  • Natural lemon juice can be used either pure or diluted 1:1 with water. The juice is applied to the stain and also left for one to two hours, then washed off and wiped dry.
  • Iodine will also help remove unpleasant odors and stains. A solution is prepared from it - 20÷25 drops of this antiseptic substance are added to one liter of water. This composition is used for application to a dirty area.
  • In addition to home remedies, OdorMedic, Urine-Off and UrineOut solutions specially designed for this purpose, sold in pet stores, are used to remove stains and odors. However, their cost is quite high, and the effectiveness of “folk remedies” seems to be no worse.

Other types of stains

In addition to the stains listed above, other contaminants may appear on the linoleum. They will be briefly discussed in this section of the article:


Old iodine stains are difficult to remove. But it's still worth a try.

  • If iodine stains are found on the linoleum, chlorine-containing products are used to remove it. They are applied thickly directly to the stain, without removing the substance beyond the contamination. These compounds must be used very carefully, controlling the process so that no whitish area remains on the coating. In addition to these products, you can use soda or starch by applying the powder to a damp cloth and placing it on the stain. An alternative to starch is potatoes cut in half.
  • To clean food coloring, coffee stains, and drawings made with a felt-tip pen or marker, use turpentine, gasoline, alcohol or kerosene.


It is best to remove marks from felt-tip pens and markers with alcohol.

  • Sticky gum can be separated from the coating by first cooling the gum, placing dry or regular ice on top of it, placing it in a bowl and placing it on top of the stain. After cooling, the gum can be easily removed from the surface with the tip of a knife or spatula. But this procedure must be performed very carefully so as not to damage the coating.
  • Putty or whitewash smeared on the floor can be washed off with warm water, adding a little vinegar to it. The solution should be slightly acidic. It will help remove not only stains, but also stains from building mixtures. In this case, the coating will have to be washed several times and then wiped dry with a clean cloth.
  • If the putty has become ingrained into the linoleum structure, it can be removed with white spirit.
  • Traces of tape or plaster, on which dirt and dust have managed to stick, can be easily removed with vegetable oil or vodka.

As you can see from the information presented, basically, products with similar compositions, but prepared in different proportions, are used to remove stains.

Video description

How to easily remove stains from linoleum.

Fat, vegetable oil

If fatty foods accidentally end up on the floor, they should be carefully removed with a paper napkin, then wash the contaminated area with warm water. It is recommended to use regular detergent.

If the fat has dried, you can remove it with turpentine. You need to soak a cotton pad in the latter, thoroughly wipe the stain with it, then wash the floor with soapy water.


Turpentine can corrode linoleum, so its effectiveness must first be checked on the remaining piece of material or in an inconspicuous place Source himfaq.ru

What needs to be considered when cleaning linoleum?

When starting to put linoleum in order, you should consider several recommendations that will help keep the surface of the coating intact:

When cleaning stains on linoleum, you should always exercise a certain amount of caution and diligence so as not to completely ruin the material.

  • If aggressive compounds are used for cleaning, then aqueous solutions should be prepared from them in a 1:1 ratio.
  • Do not use sandpaper to clean the coating - it can damage it irreparably.
  • A knife and spatula are used to remove stains only as a last resort, if the frozen stain is localized and has a decent thickness. These tools must be used extremely carefully. And under no circumstances should it be used to scrape off thin layers of dirt.
  • If a brush is used for cleaning, its bristles should not be too hard. It is better to use a dish sponge that has a special, more rigid layer on one side.
  • If chemical solvents are used, they should not be rubbed into the surface of the linoleum. Such compositions are usually applied to a napkin and applied to the stain for a short period of time. The process must be kept under control.
  • Rinsing off the applied substances is mandatory, as some of them may continue to cause reactions that will damage the coating. For example, baking soda or another alkaline mixture left for a long time can make the top layer of the coating brittle and brittle, and chlorine-containing compounds reduce the brightness of the paints of the material.
  • Do not use hot water. To wash this coating, only cold or warm water with the addition of a small amount of detergent is suitable.
  • If the stain cannot be cleaned, and this also happens, you should not persistently rub the linoleum “to the hole.” In this case, it is better to resort to a radical method, carefully cutting out the damaged area and gluing in a patch selected according to the drawing. Gluing works well using “liquid nails” or two-component “cold welding”.

Simple spots

To avoid the need to use strong cleaning agents, it is necessary to carry out regular maintenance of the coating.

Regular care

Dirt and dust can be removed as follows:

  1. Make a soap solution. To do this, dissolve grated laundry soap (100 g) in 10 liters of warm water.
  2. Soak a rag in this mixture and rub the stain.
  3. Rinse with warm water and dry the area with a well-absorbing cloth.

Yellowness

Yellow stains, as well as traces of wax, paraffin and other melting substances, if any, can be removed with an iron. To do this you need:

  • Apply several layers of rags or paper to the contaminated area, not newspaper, as it may imprint on the coating.
  • Heat the iron.
  • Place the device on cloth or paper. Contamination should transfer to the absorbent material.
  • Then the area of ​​contamination should be washed with soapy water.


Potassium permanganate - time-tested and generations-tested

Tough Spots

They can be different, these are the already mentioned red spots of unknown origin, marker and marks from tires (for example, stroller tires), shoe soles, and other rubber. There are several options.

“Rubber” marks and shoe polish are removed with gasoline. To do this, you need to soak a rag in it, rub the dirt, then rinse the floor with water and wipe dry.

The same method will help if stains from fresh asphalt appear on the surface. In some cases, you will have to use both gasoline and acetone.

Ink, corrector, and marker can be removed with vegetable oil; it is recommended to use linseed oil. The technique is simple:

  1. Rub the concealer or marker stain with an oil-soaked rag.
  2. Polish.

In this case, there is no need to wash off the oil.

Before removing rust, you need to squeeze out the juice from the lemon, because it is the one that best fights such contaminants. Other household stains, such as marks from fruits and vegetables, can be easily removed with hydrochloric acid.

How to restore shine to linoleum

  1. An effective home remedy is vinegar. When cleaning, add 2 tbsp to a bucket of water. substances.
  2. Use the solution: mix milk with water in a 1:1 ratio. Then apply mastic. This event is recommended to be held at least once a year.
  3. Treat your flooring with linseed oil and it will shine again.

We remove and remove contaminants

Stains on any linoleum are a problem, especially if you don’t have special products at hand. There are plenty of the latter on store shelves, and you can solve the problem of pollution simply by using such products. But for certain reasons, housewives are in no hurry to buy them, because although they will remove pollution, they can harm the residents of the house with their chemical composition.

There are many folk methods and remedies that can cope with removing stains just as well.

Note! If new contaminants appear on the coating every now and then, you need to understand why this is happening. Without knowing the reason, you can fight against windmills, because pollution will appear again and again.


How to remove paint from linoleum Choosing products that can be used to remove stubborn stains of paint from linoleum


How to wash linoleum from dirt at home How to wash linoleum from dirt - means and methods for cleaning the surface at home

Available products can help deal with various stains. This:

  • Soap.
  • Gasoline, turpentine.
  • Napkins.
  • Acetone and nail polish remover.
  • Plastic spatula.
  • Fine-grained sandpaper, pumice.
  • Vegetable oil.
  • Hydrochloric acid.
  • Camphor alcohol.
  • Hydrogen peroxide.
  • Acetic acid.
  • Potassium permanganate.

Every housewife has most of these products at home, so you don’t have to worry about what and how to remove stains from linoleum. Although it is worth learning about the methods in more detail, because some products can damage the coating irrevocably.


Any stains must be removed immediately

It is worth remembering that you need to monitor the condition of the coating regularly and immediately remove any dirt that appears, this way you will be able to avoid their penetration into the thickness of the canvas, because such defects are sometimes very difficult to deal with.

We remove the mounting foam from the floor.

Sometimes, during repairs, polyurethane foam gets onto the linoleum. To get rid of it, first of all, you need to let it dry. You shouldn’t touch it until it’s dry; it’s much more difficult to remove it this way than when it’s dried out. But when the foam has dried, you can cut it off with a knife or other sharp object, but not under the “spine”, but only the top layer, removing which you will definitely not damage your linoleum. Then soak a rag in water and apply it to the remaining foam. Give the foam time to soak. And then remove it from the floor surface.


Removing polyurethane foam from linoleum.

If this does not help, then contact a hardware store. They have special products for cleaning surfaces from foam. After carrying out such actions, as always, wipe the floor clean.

Getting rid of paint

The easiest way is to remove fresh paint. Blot liquid drops of enamel with a rag, wipe the stained area with a damp sponge and treat with a dry cloth.

  1. Fresh oil paint, even if it is cleaned in time with a rag, leaves cloudy stains on the floor.
  2. Pour sunflower oil over them and wait a couple of minutes. Collect the remaining oil with a napkin, and wash the greasy stain with household items. soap.
  3. If traces of paint are still visible, you will have to use White Spirit. It will quickly remove paint stains.
  4. Use it carefully and wash the surface thoroughly immediately after use. Linoleum does not like the effects of solvents, gasoline, kerosene and other aggressive substances.

The hardened paint must first be carefully scraped off and then removed with the same solvent.

Conclusion

You can remove any stains on linoleum, the main thing is not to forget that you need to act with any product carefully, and the first thing you should do is try it out. After applying the composition, it must be washed off and the linoleum wiped dry.

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Victor 12/29/2017 08:06

We've had linoleum for several years now. Recently, brown spots of varying sizes began to appear in the kitchen. I used various detergents and it didn't help. It was partially possible to remove them with the help of fine sandpaper. A few days later, the stains appeared in another place (only in the kitchen). I had to rub them again (for quite a long time) How to deal with them?

Dmitry Mokeev 05.20.2020 14:33

I can't remove the yellow stains on the linoleum left by bicycle wheels.

Zelenka

How to clean linoleum from green paint, and whether it is possible to do this, will ask any housewife who has encountered such traces. Indeed, this contamination is one of the most difficult; you can remember how difficult it is to remove brilliant green from your hands. Some rules:

  • You cannot smear it, otherwise the affected area will increase. Needs to be blotted.
  • It is better to carry out all work wearing rubber gloves.
  • The rag must be constantly changed, as the substance quickly eats into it.

There are several ways:

  1. Peroxide or camphor alcohol - they dissolve the alcohol that is in the composition.
  2. Baking soda and vinegar. The first step is to pour baking soda onto the dirt and pour vinegar on top. The brilliant green should come off with foam.
  3. You need to add a little potassium permanganate to the vinegar. Wipe the stain with the resulting mixture.
  4. Mix peroxide and 30% vinegar and treat the stain.


Fighting green stains on linoleum is a challenge for any housewife

Review of cleaning products for cleaning linoleum

New linoleum often has an unpleasant odor. The smell of burnt candles will help get rid of the aroma of rubber and plastic. You can light candles around the entire perimeter of the coating, or you can place them on the cuts.

To remove old or new stains from linoleum, you need to establish the nature of the contamination.

Traditional methods

ComponentsApplication of the traditional methodWhat contaminants are removed?
EraserMechanical method (rub the surface)Traces of rubber shoes.
AlcoholAdd to the soap solution (2 tbsp).Fat.
Salt, vinegarSprinkle the stain with coarse table salt, add a few drops of vinegar (depending on the degree of contamination).Traces of a fountain pen, felt-tip pen, marker.
VinegarAdd to the cleaning solution (2 tbsp).Black shoe stains, traces of grease, adds shine to the coating.
Gasoline, keroseneApply to dirt.Traces of adhesive tape, adhesive tape, black shoe marks, toner, oil stains.
StarchPour onto a damp cloth and cover the mark.Iodine.
Potato peelingsTreat contamination.Iodine.
Lemon juiceTreat plaque.Iodine, shoe dye.
Camphor alcoholAdd a few drops to the detergent.Iodine.
AmmoniaAdd a few drops of alcohol to a bucket of soapy water.Iodine, biological contaminants (blood, cat urine).
Hydrogen peroxideApply to stain.Traces of a pen, felt-tip pen, marker.

Specialty chemistry

Hardware stores sell powders, pastes, sprays, and liquid cleaners that can easily remove stains. Before using harsh chemicals, test them on an inconspicuous area of ​​the linoleum floor.

  1. Immediately after installation, treat the coating with polish; this measure helps to create an additional protective layer;
  2. Tile cleaning liquid will help to wash away old linoleum from stubborn dirt;
  3. Oxygen or optical brighteners do not spoil the texture of the floor covering, unlike chlorine-containing ones.
NamePeculiarities
WhiteDilute with water in a ratio of 1:10. Dampen a napkin and treat problem areas.
MellerudGerman linoleum care product. Dosage: 100 grams of substance per bucket of water.
Wa-LinPrepare a solution at the rate of 10 ml per 1 liter of water. The product is concentrated, use gloves.
HGAdd 100 ml of product to a bucket of warm water.
Mister properFor 1 bucket of water – 100 ml of product. In addition to removing stains, it eliminates unpleasant odors. Thanks to its natural composition, it is suitable for cleaning children's rooms.
VanishUniversal stain remover. The product is applied directly to the site of contamination.

When purchasing linoleum, thickness is an important factor; thin flooring wears out faster. Linoleum is used in dry, heated rooms; direct sunlight has a detrimental effect on the surface. Take care of the coating, clean it in a timely manner, get rid of fresh stains, linoleum will last a long time.

Source

Work order

It is first necessary to protect the linoleum surface from paint before painting. But it is quite difficult to completely protect the floor from drops. Therefore, dried stains can be cleaned using a utility knife. It is important to perform all actions carefully, otherwise you can damage the linoleum.


Fresh stains can be removed with a solution of soap and soda

If the paint has not had time to dry, it can be easily removed with a sponge and a solution of soap and soda. To make it you should take:

  1. warm water 10 l;
  2. laundry soap 72% in the amount of 200 g;
  3. soda ash in the amount of 200 g.

The soap is grated on a fine grater and placed in a container with 2 liters. water. Stirring constantly, wait until it boils. When the consistency becomes thick; they begin to introduce soda. After stirring, add another 8 liters of water. The resulting composition is suitable for getting rid of any type of dirt, including traces of paint.


Soap can be grated

To remove oil paint, it is not necessary to immediately use a solvent. First, try placing a small cloth on the contaminated surface, first moisten it with vegetable oil. After a couple of hours, you should try to remove the stains. Remove oil residues with a solution of soap and soda.


To begin with, you should apply a cloth moistened with vegetable oil to the stain.

Food coloring, coffee, ink and markers

Coffee that is not removed in time leaves an ingrained yellow stain. A hot drink destroys the protective layer, penetrating deeply into the floor surface. The same thing happens as a result of children's pranks, when the coating turns out to be painted with pens or alcohol-based markers. How to remove ink from linoleum? To remove stains you can use:

  • Petrol;
  • Kerosene;
  • Camphor alcohol;
  • Turpentine.


Writing with a felt-tip pen
Before washing the pen from the linoleum with these products, you should protect your hands, eyes, and respiratory tract. To begin with, it is recommended to test the effect of the anti-ink cleaner on a piece of coating. To clean a felt-tip pen from linoleum, you need to apply the product to a dry cloth and then wipe off the dirt. Then you need to thoroughly rinse the flooring with warm water.

Steam cleaning

You can solve the problem of cleaning linoleum once and for all by purchasing a steam mop. There are models that can be used on high-quality linoleum without fear for its integrity. Steam removes the following stains:

  • fat;
  • glue;
  • shoe marks;
  • old, dried dirt;
  • traces of tomato and other products with natural pigments.

5 recipes for homemade effective stain removers

You need to clean linoleum with a steam mop at the minimum temperature setting. If low-quality thin linoleum is exposed to steam, it may become deformed.

Use of solvents

Sometimes stains cannot be washed off with ordinary household products, since they cannot dissolve, for example, paint or ink. In such situations, you can use the following solvents:

  • alcohol;
  • solvent 646;
  • White Spirit;
  • refined gasoline.

The algorithm of actions is as follows: you need to moisten a piece of fabric with a solvent. Apply it to the contaminated area and slowly rub the stain in a circular motion. If after the first time there are traces or stains, it is worth repeating the procedure, but with another, clean piece of fabric.

How to extend service life

To ensure that your flooring lasts as long as possible, you should follow these tips:

  • Having laid linoleum, treat it with polish to protect and increase durability;
  • Protect against cracking at least 2-3 times annually using linseed oil or drying oil;
  • a mat laid on top will prevent the accumulation of dust particles and debris;
  • use lining components for furniture legs;
  • If contamination appears, it must be removed promptly.

The main causes of linoleum contamination

Linoleum is highly resistant to stains, but even it does not always cope with the effects of third-party substances. It is usually installed in rooms with special operating conditions (corridor, kitchen, balcony).

Top linoleum contamination that owners encounter:

  • Oily spots. There is no place in the kitchen without them. Sometimes you can only deal with it by wiping the surface with a damp cloth, but sometimes you have to spend a long time and painfully scrubbing off the remaining grease.


Fighting greasy stains

  • Shoes and traces from them . If this is an ordinary footprint with soil residues, cleaning will be quick, but for stripes from the sole or residues of creams and paints, you will have to look for an approach.
  • Medicines. Iodine and brilliant green can also act as pests; it is not so easy to wash them off.
  • Remains of repair work . Even with a very careful approach, it is difficult to carry out repairs and leave behind cleanliness. Polyurethane foam, cement, paints - all this remains on the floor.
  • Rust and mold . If such contaminants are present, it will be necessary not only to clean the surface, but also to eliminate the cause - places of high humidity.

And also pay attention there is an article on the topic “How and how you can wash brilliant green from linoleum”

Also, owners of linoleum floors often have questions about why everything is fine in some rooms, while stains quickly remain in others. It all depends on the class of linoleum, its thickness, and most importantly - the condition of the top layer. If the coating is many years old and the protective layer has worn off, the stains will “take root” faster.

Resistance to stains depends on the condition of the protective layer.
Read more in the article “What thickness is linoleum?”

Removing traces from furniture

Furniture, both large and small (chairs, stools, bedside tables) leaves dents on the linoleum.

Over time, they become deeper; if no action is taken, cracks appear on the floor and torn areas appear. In this case, the coating must be partially or completely replaced.

To clean dents you should:

  • take a metal ball of small diameter,
  • roll it along the edges of the dents in the coating several times to remove the deformation.

If the marks have not completely disappeared, then you should take a regular hairdryer and select warm or hot air. Then heat the edges of the dent (5-10 seconds), and then run the ball over the unevenness again.

Alkali

Some stains can only be removed with a concentrated alkali solution. Every home will probably have the following:

  • laundry soap;
  • soda ash or baking soda.

Laundry soap contains about 70% alkali, and soda in any format contains carbonates in its purest form. To remove stains, you can use a slurry of laundry soap locally - apply for 10-15 minutes and then rinse off. Soda can only be used as a solution - you should not rub the coating with it when dry, it will become dull, and scratches may be noticeable in daylight.

Daily care

The coating does not require scrupulous maintenance. But so that stains on the linoleum do not occur often, and the apartment is fresh and cozy, it is advisable to do wet cleaning daily.

  1. During the day, dust and various debris accumulate on the floor.
  2. Sweep up the dirt with a broom, fill a bucket of water, wet the linoleum with a soft cloth and wipe it dry.
  3. If there are smudges and dirt on the floor, dissolve household items in water. soap and wash the coating again.

How to remove stains on linoleum from water and other light contaminants? “Mr. Proper” has proven himself excellent in this. Dissolve a cap of the product in hot water and stir. A lush foam will appear. The apartment will immediately be enveloped in a pleasant aroma, and after treating the floor, a feeling of freshness will appear. The main advantage of this product is that it does not need to be washed off. When the coating dries, it will become perfectly clean without stickiness or streaks.

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