All homeowners or renters know that cleaning up a mess or spill on hard surface flooring, like vinyl, is far easier than cleaning up accidents on carpet. While most know this to be true, remember that vinyl flooring can still encounter stubborn stains that need to be addressed.
In this guide, we’ll explain more about how to take care of your vinyl floors and keep them looking good and spot-free.
Vinyl Floor Stain Removal
- Bleach - Bleach does the job for liquid stains such as fruit juice, tomato juice, and wine. Combine one part bleach and two parts of water. Drench a rag in the solvent and lay the towel over the stain, allowing it to absorb for as long as it is required.
- Oxalic Acid - Use oxalic acid, which may also be branded as "wood bleach," for troublesome rust stains. Wet a cloth with the product, place the rag on the stain and let it absorb until the stain fades.
- Isopropyl Alcohol - It's a safe option for eliminating the shoe scuff lines from vinyl tile. It's also best described as "alcohol rubbing."
- Laundry Detergent - A less invasive way to eliminate tough stains is to blend powdered laundry detergent with water to make a white paste. Place paste and rub over the vinyl flooring.
Supplies For Eliminating Tough Floor Stains
When accidents happen, it's best to be prepared. Learn a few hacks about removing floor stains so that you can keep your vinyl floors in good condition. Doing so will save you a lot of hassle down the line. There are some standard items you'll need on hand to clean the vinyl floor stains when the incident occurs.
Here's what you need:
- Water
- Sponges
- Dishwashing liquid
- Ammonia
- A soft towel
- A soft-bristled brush
Once you have these items, follow the instructions below to learn how to remove stains off of your floor:
Start by mixing one part dishwashing liquid with 10 parts of water. Next, put the mixture on the damaged area and lightly rub it using a sponge. Completely dry it.
Pour in a small tablespoon of ammonia with one quart of warm water. Then pour a small amount of the ammonia mixture over the spot and let it sit for 10 minutes.
After that time has passed, softly scrub it with a bristled brush. Rinse the area with water and dry it. If that process doesn't get the stain up, add in more ammonia to the water and repeat that final step.’
Suggestions for Getting Rid of Vinyl Floor Stains
Vinyl is incredibly easy to clean and maintain. Usually, wet mopping with a vinyl cleaning solution and hot water is all that is needed to keep it clean. Follow these tips to ensure effectiveness in extracting harsh stains:
In a discreet area such as a cabinet, test all cleaners for additives to ensure that it will not discolor or damage the floor.When the towel is in contact with the cleaning solvent, use a white cloth to prevent dye bleeding.When washing the floor, ventilate the area well and keep any rags saturated in alcohol from lights and flamesAvoid harsh cleaners because they will peel the polish off of the vinyl and leave a lasting markClean up liquids and remove stains as soon as they are spotted to prevent them from setting in further
Cleaning Food Stains from Vinyl Floors
Food stains are some of the most stubborn and most common vinyl floor stains. Chances are you likely have vinyl in your kitchen, which makes your floors prone to accidental spills and other incidents.
Foods and drinks like tomato sauce, wine, and fruit juice can cause damage to your vinyl floors, making these stains difficult to remove. However, with a little persistence and patience, you can definitely get them up.
Here's what you need:
- Bleach
- A towel
- Water
Combine one part bleach to four parts water. Next, soak a towel in the mixture and put it over the stain. Let the towel sit for at least an hour to allow the bleach to absorb into the stain to lighten the color.
Rinse the area with water and let it dry. If that step doesn't work the first time, repeat it again. Going through the process of cleaning your floor for a couple of hours is a bit of a headache, and it’s time-consuming— but it's worth it.
If you drop something like red wine on your vinyl floors, the key to getting the stain out with no problems is cleaning the area as soon as possible.
Professional Help for Vinyl Floor Stain Removal
Have you tried all of the tips listed above to clean your vinyl floor stains? Are they still there? If so, it may be time for a completely new installation.
If your floors have suffered damage and you are having trouble getting your floors to look spotless, call in the pros. While it is possible to maintain the look of your floors, it's natural for them to get to a point where DIY cleaning methods aren't enough.
Take an assessment of the appearance of your floor and decide whether or not it's time for an upgrade.
Get Rid of Vinyl Floor Stains Once and for All
One of the best ways to get rid of vinyl floor stains is to get a new install. If you're moving into an older home or your current vinyl floors have suffered lots of wear and tear, it's time for a makeover.
National Floors Direct can help you get a brand new floor and have your home looking amazing in no time.
Call us at 1-888-400-3566 or get a free in-home estimate on our website.
We look forward to giving you beautiful, new floors.
