How To Remove Water Stains From Vinyl Flooring

When it comes to like shooting fish in a barrel maintenance, vinyl flooring is a great choice. It unremarkably takes lilliputian more than a vacuum and occasional mop to stay looking not bad.

But vinyl is often laid in heavy traffic areas like kitchens and bathrooms – and now and again, disaster can strike! So what do you if you have a stain on your flooring?

Never fright, we're here to help! We're going to show you how to remove stains from vinyl flooring using a number of unlike approaches. And nosotros'll tell you lot everything y'all need to know to keep your flooring in tip-height status.

Then if you're ready, step this style for a stain-gratuitous flooring!

What is vinyl floor?

If you desire to keep your floor looking great, a good place to start is past agreement how it'southward constructed.

Vinyl floor comes in a number of different forms. Sheet or roll vinyl is just every bit its name suggests – a large sheet that you lay on your floor. It'south unremarkably quite sparse, and is glued into position.

So at that place are thicker vinyl tiles or planks. These tin can either be glued in identify, or clicked together along their beveled edges. In the latter instance, in that location'south usually only glue around the edges of the floor to hold information technology in place.

Whatever type of vinyl you have, it's normally easy to keep clean. Just sometimes you can face problems with staining or discoloration. And then what causes those problems?

Causes of staining and discoloration

We've already seen that glue is often used to hold vinyl flooring in identify. In some cases, that glue can seep up through the vinyl and affect its colour.

Moisture is another culprit, particularly in bathrooms and kitchens. "But I thought vinyl flooring was waterproof?" I hear you say. Well, non exactly.

It would be more authentic to call it water-resistant. While the vinyl itself won't blot water, it's often laid in the form of tiles or planks. And even the neatest installation will have small joins that can acknowledge water. Over time, that wet tin can cause color changes.

If you alive in an area with difficult water, spills that aren't mopped up promptly tin too get out limecale deposits. These announced every bit a milky crust on your flooring.

And if you have vinyl on your kitchen floor, all those foods and liquids are prime number causes of stains. Beetroot, love apple and fruit might be the most obvious dangers. But vino, sugary drinks, juice and milk can exit backside marks too.

Make-up, crayons and marking pens can also leave stains. Safe mats can leave backside residues. And even too much directly sunlight can discolor your vinyl floor.

With all these hazards around, it'south hardly surprising that sometimes your floor gets stained! And so what can you lot do almost it?

How to Remove Stains from Vinyl Floor

i. Clean with h2o and baking soda

Baking soda is a perennial favorite for habitation cleaning remedies, and with practiced reason. Its lightly abrasive texture means it's neat at scrubbing away stains. And information technology's a specially good remedy for stains from acidic substances similar tomatoes, wine or fruit juice.

To apply it to get rid of stains on your vinyl floor, first mix it into a paste with h2o. Then carefully employ the paste to your floor using a soft material. It'southward a skillful idea to use a white cloth to avoid the hazard of color bleeding from the textile onto your floor.

Rub the paste in gently, then rinse. Echo every bit required. The key here is to become slow and gentle. Be too rigorous and you risk scratching your flooring.

2. Clean with rubbing booze

For more stubborn stains like ink or make-up, try rubbing alcohol. Information technology's also a skillful option to remove scuff marks.

In this instance, y'all desire to apply it with a soft-bristled castor or white material. Steer clear of annihilation with firm bristles, which could leave behind scratches.

Rub the stain gently, giving the alcohol fourth dimension to work. And so rinse it in water. If the stain is however visible, repeat the process.

Remember that alcohol is flammable. Rinse your brush or cloth thoroughly when you've finished cleaning, and go on it away from any naked flames.

3. Use a lemon to tackle discoloration

The citric acid in lemons makes them an splendid mode to tackle stained vinyl, specially discoloration. They're as well very effective at removing grass stains.

To begin with, wipe away as much of the stain as possible using a clean, clammy cloth. Now cut your lemon in half and rub the cutting end straight on the stain. Give it a few minutes to do its work before rinsing with warm h2o.

If necessary, you tin echo the process using the 2nd half of the lemon. (And if it still doesn't work, add a wedge to a gin and tonic to recover from the thwarting!)

Equally well as being an effective stain remover, the lemon will leave behind a pleasant citrus fragrance.

four. For stubborn stains, effort bleach

Bleach has to be used with intendance, but it's a valuable weapon for particularly stubborn stains like ink.

To avoid fading your floor, you'll demand to dilute the bleach. Add i role bleach to four parts of water for an constructive cleaning solution.

Soak a clean white cloth in the solution, and so leave it on superlative of the stain for up to an hour. It's wise to check progress every so often to make certain the bleach isn't affecting the area effectually the stain.

When the time's up, rinse the area thoroughly. Hopefully, the stain will have disappeared. If it hasn't, you can repeat the process.

5. Employ mild liquid or dishwashing lather

A few drops of dishwashing liquid works wonders on a multitude of cleaning challenges. Removing stains from vinyl floor is no exception.

Add together a few drops of soap to warm water and give it a stir and so that you lot have plenty of suds. Utilise the soapy water to the stain using a sponge. Only don't be tempted to use a scouring pad! It will scratch your vinyl.

An alternative to dishwashing soap is a solution of water and vinegar, only apply this with care. Information technology won't be suitable for no-wax vinyl floors, as the acid in the vinegar can darken the surface.

If you practice want to endeavour the vinegar approach, you'll need ane loving cup of vinegar per gallon of warm water. Apple cider or white vinegars work well.

6. Endeavor WD-40 to eliminate scuff marks

Shoes, chair legs or even pet claws are common causes of scuff marks on vinyl. One remedy worth a shot is WD-40. The chemicals here are quite powerful, though. Make certain you exam it on an camouflaged surface area of your flooring first.

When you're fix to proceed, just soak a clean white cloth in a small amount of WD-twoscore. Rub it gently over the scuff marks until they've disappeared. A round move is well-nigh effective at lifting stains.

if you find the marks remain, the bad news is that they're probably scratches. Unfortunately, there's no way of removing those.

7. Use a specialist vinyl floor cleaner

There are a number of floor cleaners on the market specially formulated for vinyl floors.  Await for options that hope not to leave behind a residue. Rejuvenate's specialist vinyl floor cleaner is one such product.

Follow the instructions on the bottle to go rid of stains. In about cases, you'll simply spray the cleaner onto the flooring, then mop. In some cases, it tin can simply be left to dry out without mopping.

Minimize the risk of stains with a regular cleaning routine

The easiest fashion to get rid of stains is to tackle them as soon as they occur. The longer they've had to soak in, the tougher they'll be to remove.

Regularly vacuuming or sweeping your vinyl floor volition likewise forestall damage from abrupt-edged dust particles. A light mop with h2o and balmy dishwashing soap will in most cases be all you need to proceed your floor looking great.

There are also a number of things to avert. Don't use harsh solvents, oil-based products, wax or varnish on your flooring. And avoid steam cleaners. Non only can they damage the vinyl, they can soften the mucilage holding it in place.

Placing felt pads beneath furniture, peculiarly chair legs, will help protect your flooring from scratches. And if your room has an outdoor go out, place a mat at the threshold. That will minimize the dust and dirt you bring inside.

Only watch out for doormats with rubber backing. The rubber will help proceed information technology in place, but can leave behind resides on your flooring.

Time to savor a spotless floor!

That brings us to the end of our guide to how to remove stains from vinyl flooring! Whether you're removing light or stubborn marks, or fifty-fifty need to tackle scuffs, there's a remedy hither.

Recollect to go gentle when yous're cleaning. White cloths, soft brushes and sponges are the gild of the day. And steer clear of harsh chemicals or solvents.

Follow these rules, and your floor will exist looking great again in no fourth dimension. Happy cleaning!

Source: https://www.whatisvinyl.com/how-to-remove-stains-from-vinyl-flooring/

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