linoleum

You should clean up any dirt or debris with a broom or a vacuum. Vacuuming with a solid floor attachment as a beater brush can damage and lift linoleum. To clean dirt that won’t come up with a broom or vacuum, mop with cool water and, only when necessary, a cleanser recommended by the manufacturer. Dry any excess water from the floor. Never use an abrasive cleaner, oil cleaner, or dish detergent. If the floor begins to loose its shine, follow your manufacturer’s recommendations to strip and re-polish your floor.

There are several steps you can take to help maintain your linoleum floor.

• Use a doormat outside all exterior doorways to collect any dirt, abrasive materials, moisture or other substances that can harm your floor. The more these materials come in contact with your floor, the less it will shine.
• Use felt pads on furniture to reduce scratching or gouging.
• Linoleum floors are affected by direct sunlight and are prone to color fading. Keep blinds closed and direct sunlight off the linoleum floor on sunny days when possible.
• Keep large animals with long nails off the floor and other sharp objects as they can scratch and damage the linoleum.
• Keep liquids off the floor as much as possible. They can leak through seams damaging the linoleum and the subfloor.
• When moving appliances or heavy furniture, never slide them across the floor.
• If you notice an opened seam, close it as soon as possible according to the manufacturer’s recommendations to prevent further damage.

If you used a glue-down installation, it is not recommended that you mop or walk on your linoleum floor immediately. If the seams are disturbed before the adhesive has set, it can damage the floor. Check with your manufacturer to find out how long before you can walk on or mop your floor. If using click together, glue-less methods you can generally walk on or mop your floor immediately after installation.

The polish on your linoleum floor can be dulled by daily use. To fix this, you can usually apply a new coat of polish to your floor according to the manufacturer’s recommendations. Always make sure you thoroughly sweep, mop, and dry your flooring before applying any floor polish.

Gently wipe it with mineral spirits and a soft towel or use a solution recommended by the manufacturer.

Chips and deep scratches in linoleum generally cannot be fixed completely, but can be hidden or concealed. Many linoleum manufacturers have products specifically for repairing chips and scratches. These products generally work best, however there are some at home products that can be used to help. To remove scuff marks try rubbing a drop of mineral spirits over the mark. Then wipe away with a soft cloth and water.

First you remove the damaged tile by heating it with a blow dryer to soften the adhesive. Placing a piece of tin foil on the tile can speed this up. Then, run a putty knife along the seams to separate it from any other tiles. Now, place the putty blade under the edge of the damaged tile and pry it off the subfloor. Next, scrape the old adhesive off the subfloor, starting at the edges and working towards the center. Remove as much of the existing adhesive as possible. A sharp floor scraper will be necessary for this step. Make sure the subfloor is clean and dry. Now you are ready to install the new tile. Once glued and in place, roll with a rolling pin and remove any excess adhesive with a damp cloth and mineral spirits. Stay off the spot for at least 8 hours to allow it to dry. It is also a good idea to acclimate all tiles that will be used for replacements in the same room for 24-48 hours prior to beginning your repair.