How to Remove Stains From Vinyl Flooring

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Vinyl flooring is a great option for those looking to create a home with an aesthetic that is clean, sleek, and modern. However, it can be difficult to keep stains from permanently marking the surface of your beautiful new floors.

The easiest way to clean your vinyl flooring is by looking for a solvent e.g., alcohol, vinegar, or lemon juice with no additives. Apply gently to the affected area and give it some time. Remove the solvent and clean the area with a microfiber cloth.

Below are our top tips on How To Remove Stains From Vinyl Flooring. Follow these simple instructions, and your floors will look brand new again in no time.

What is Vinyl Flooring Made of?

Vinyl flooring is a type of resilient, or hard-wearing, floor covering that often consists of several layers. The top layer typically has some kind of pattern imprinted on it and can be made from several different materials, including PVC vinyl. Vinyl flooring contains no wood content whatsoever, unlike linoleum, which contains wood fibers.

What Causes Stains on Vinyl Flooring?

1. Grease

Grease can be a huge problem for vinyl flooring, especially in kitchens and bathrooms where appliances are used frequently. Simply wiping up any grease or oil with paper towels is not enough to remove the stain – you’ll need something stronger to retain the vinyl plank flooring.

2. Coffee

Coffee is another substance that can leave vinyl flooring looking dirty and old. Although it’s not always the case, coffee tends to turn into an oily mess over time which can be very difficult to remove if grounded in thoroughly enough the vinyl floor.

3. Soap Scum

Soap scum can be another difficult stain to remove from vinyl flooring. This is because it, too, turns into oil over time, which means all the usual water-based cleaners will fail you when trying to clean this one up, as it’s a commercial adhesive stripper messing with it.

4. Wax

Wax is one of the most difficult types of stains to remove from vinyl flooring. This is because it contains a substance known as stearic acid, which has excellent adhesive properties and can create extremely stubborn spots that are very resistant to removing vinyl flooring.

5. Food

Food is another substance that can stain vinyl flooring. This includes things like fruit juices, wine, and tomato sauce among others – most of which will leave a permanent mark if not properly dealt with in time on the perimeter installed.

6. General Dirt

General dirt is often the most difficult type of stain to remove from vinyl flooring. This is because it can be incredibly hard for water-based cleaners, such as soapy water or general sprays, to break down and dissolve to clean this one away and remove all the debris properly.

7. Oil

Oil-based stains are another difficult type of stain to remove from vinyl flooring. This is because oil does not mix with water, meaning you’ll have a very hard time scrubbing it away using soap and water as your primary cleaning agent.

Why is My Vinyl Flooring Discoloured?

There are several reasons why your vinyl flooring may have become discolored. The most common cause is simply due to dirt and grime that has built up over time, which can be difficult to remove without the right cleaning products. Other causes include sunlight exposure, which can fade the color of your floors, or using the wrong cleaning products, which can damage the finish of your floors.

Methods for Removing Stains on Vinyl Flooring

Use nitrogen-based bleach to remove stains

This type of bleach is non-toxic and safe to use around pets, children, and plants. Using nitrogen-based bleach will help remove stains without damaging the vinyl flooring underneath the old floor.

Use a cleaner that is safe for your specific kind of flooring

You want to be careful not to use cleaners with strong chemicals on vinyl floors, or else you risk dulling the color or destroying the surface completely. Make sure you carefully read up on what types of cleaning products are best suited for different kinds of flooring before making any purchases.

Use a strong solvent to remove tough stains

If the stain is particularly difficult, you can mix up your solution with solvents that are safe for vinyl floors and use it as a way of removing stubborn marks from surfaces fast. These solvents include vinegar, lemon juice, or rubbing alcohol – just make sure they’re free of any additives.

Use a steam cleaner to remove stains

This is one of the most effective ways to get rid of any type of stain on vinyl floors, especially if you have stubborn marks that just won’t fade away. Steam cleaners are easy to use and will lift dirt without affecting the finish or color of your flooring at all.

Use a high-powered vacuum

If the stain is on vinyl flooring that you have just installed, it may be best to use a steam cleaner or brush and scrub away any dirt or marks before installing your new floors completely. If this isn’t an option for you though, don’t worry: simply get rid of large debris particles with a handheld vac and use a brush attachment to clean away any residue.

How To Remove Stains From Vinyl Flooring In Six Easy Steps

Step 1: Find the appropriate solvent for your vinyl flooring

If you’re using lemon juice, vinegar, or rubbing alcohol as solvents to remove stains on vinyl floors make sure it’s completely free of any additives. If not, these substances may damage the surface instead of helping clean it up.

Step 2: Put on your safety equipment

Remember to wear gloves and eye protection when using solvents to avoid any harmful effects from them! Make sure you have a fire extinguisher nearby, too – just in case something goes wrong while trying to remove stains on vinyl flooring.

Step 3: Apply your solvent to the affected area

Be generous with your solution if you’re using it to ensure that enough is applied at one time for proper cleaning power. Try not to get any on surrounding flooring, though.

Step 4: Remove the solvent

Once you’ve applied your solution, wait for it to dry completely before attempting any type of removal. If it’s not fully dried when you remove it, then some residue may stick around and cause stains on vinyl flooring in the future.

Step 5: Clean the area with a microfiber cloth

After waiting for the solvent to dry, gently clean away any residue from the affected area using a microfiber cloth. Make sure you don’t scrub vinyl flooring when removing stains to avoid scratches and other damage.

Step 6: Repeat steps if necessary

If the stain is still present after applying your solvent, try repeating these same steps in order to make sure you’ve removed it completely. If there’s light damage on vinyl flooring from using solvents don’t worry – it will fade away over time as long as you’re not scrubbing at it again with a cloth or brush.

How To Remove Scuff Marks From Vinyl Flooring In Five Easy Steps

Step 1: Sweep or vacuum the floor

Start by sweeping or vacuuming the floor to remove any dirt, dust, or other debris that might be present. This will help ensure that you’re only cleaning the scuff marks and not making them worse.

Step 2: Apply a generous amount of soap

Use a mild soap or detergent and apply it generously to the scuff marks. Make sure you don’t use anything too abrasive that might damage the flooring.

Step 3: Rinse the area with clean water

After applying soap, rinse the area with clean water to remove any residue. You can do this with a sponge or cloth – just make sure you’re not scrubbing at the flooring itself.

Step 4: Dry the area completely

Make sure you dry the area completely after cleaning to avoid any water damage or stains. You can use a microfiber cloth or towel for this step.

Step 5: Repeat as necessary

If the scuff marks are still present, repeat these steps until they’re gone. You may need to use a little more elbow grease the second time around, but eventually, they should come up.

How to Remove Rust Stains From Vinyl Flooring

Trying to remove rust stains from vinyl flooring can be a difficult task, but there are a few methods that may help.

One way to try and remove rust stains is to use a solution of lemon juice and salt. Apply the mixture to the stain and let it sit for several hours before scrubbing with a brush. If this doesn’t SP, or trisodium phosphate, is another option that can be used to remove rust stains. This substance can be found at most hardware stores and can be mixed with water to create a solution. Apply the mixture to the stain and let it sit for about 15 minutes before scrubbing with a brush.

Why Using Bleach On Vinyl Is a Big Mistake

While bleach is often touted as a powerful cleaning agent, it’s actually one of the worst things you can use on vinyl flooring. Bleach will not only damage the flooring itself, but it can also cause staining and discoloration. If you must use bleach to clean something on your vinyl floor, always be sure to rinse the area thoroughly afterward with clean water

Tips For Preventing Scuff Marks On Vinyl Flooring

– Always wipe your feet before entering the house to avoid tracking in dirt and debris.

– Place mats or rugs at all entrances to catch any dirt or debris that might be brought in.

– Put felt pads on the feet of all furniture to avoid scratches and scuffs.

– Be careful when moving furniture around – always lift it instead of dragging it across the floor.

– Avoid wearing high heels or other shoes with hard soles inside the house.

Tips for Caring for Your Vinyl Flooring

Sweep Often

Keeping up with regular cleaning of your flooring will ensure that it stays in great condition for years to come. Sweep frequently and vacuum regularly, especially when you’ve just installed new vinyl floors or if heavy debris has fallen on top of them.

Don’t Drag Heavy Objects Over Your Vinyl Flooring

If necessary move light objects by lifting them – never drag heavy objects over your vinyl flooring if you don’t have to. This will scratch up the surface and cause damage, especially when it comes in contact with nails or other sharp metal objects on the floating floor for transition strips.

Don’t Use Chemicals on Your Floor If They’re Not Safe for Vinyl Floors

Many cleaners contain chemicals that are harmful to vinyl flooring, so make sure you know what’s in them before using them. If you’re not 100 percent certain that a cleaner is safe for your vinyl floors then opt for something simple and gentle instead.

Use Rubber Mats When Moving Heavy Objects

Rubber mats can be placed on top of vinyl flooring when moving heavy objects to protect them from scratches and other damage. They also help keep your flooring in place while you’re moving – which is a bonus if you have kids who like to run around the house.

Stains on Vinyl Flooring? No Problem

If there are any stains left over after removing them with solvents or another method then you can always try buffing them away. Buffers are a great way to remove any stains left on vinyl flooring – plus they’re easy enough for anyone to use since all you need is some elbow grease from the asbestos fibers.

Conclusion

If you have any questions or concerns about How To Remove Stains From Vinyl Flooring then feel free to leave a comment below. I’ll do my best to answer them to ensure that your vinyl floors are always looking their best.

Thank You for Reading this Article.