Easy Homemade Solutions to Treat Discolored Vinyl Flooring
Vinyl flooring, the most popular choice of homeowners when it comes to pocket-friendly yet attractive flooring style. Though they are easy to care too, they are bound to get discolored. There are many reasons why your vinyl flooring gets discolored. In fact, if you clean vinyl flooring with harsh chemicals like bleach, it will only damage the floor and cause discoloration. So, be careful of what you are using to clean the floors.
In this article, we will let you know about which solutions are safe to clean vinyl flooring and also discolored vinyl flooring. But, before that let us bring into attention the stains that can cause discoloration of vinyl floors:
What leads to discoloration of vinyl flooring?
Moisture – Though vinyl flooring is water-resistant, it is not waterproof. So moisture developing on top or beneath the tiles can cause discolored stains.
Liquid spills – Coffee, juice, wine or even water spill can cause stain and change in flooring color. Sugary drinks can cause stubborn stains and cleaning it may lead to floors to fade while water if left for too long on the floor, can also cause stains.
Food – Color or stain leaving food items like tomatoes, beetroots or fruits can leave stains on vinyl flooring.
Harsh chemicals – When you use harsh chemicals like bleach to clean the stain marks from the vinyl floor, the stains will be removed but along with that you will also risk your vinyl floor.
Heat – Direct bright sunlight hitting on the floor, excess heat of the sun, steam cleaner or use of hot water for cleaning, can damage vinyl flooring and cause discoloration.
Crayon marks or markers – These coloring items are toughest to clean. So while trying to remove color marks from flooring, even your flooring color might change.
Dirt and dust – Every house is prone to dirt. The dirt and dust settled for over time on the floor can lead to discoloration.
Everyday cleaning is a worthy solution
- Cleaning regularly the dirt and dust and preventing it from settling on the floors is the best way to keep your vinyl floors clean. Sweep away the regular dust, food particle, hair fall on the floor. Brooming or vacuuming is sufficient for regular cleaning.
- In case, your floor catches dust quite often or if you have pet pals weekly or frequent wet cleaning will be needed. You can use mild detergents or dish soap or even baby shampoo with clean water for damp mopping the vinyl floors. It is recommended to use a microfiber cloth for wet floor cleaning.
- Never steam mop as the heat can damage the flooring.
- If you use any cleaning solution to clean the flooring, make sure your rinse well and thoroughly dry the floor to prevent moisture build up.
How to Clean Discolored Vinyl Floor?
Clean Discolored Vinyl Floor Using baking soda
The most natural, non-toxic home cleaning agent found in every household, baking soda is best to treat discolored vinyl floors.
How?
- Create a thick paste by mixing baking soda and water
- With the help of soft cleaning cloth, apply the paste gently over the stubborn stains present on the floor
- Continue to rub gently without being abrasive. This will help the stains to slowly vanish
- Now take another clean cloth to wipe and remove the residue of baking soda
- Vacuum floor to dry, do not leave it damp or wet
Clean Discolored Vinyl Floor Using liquid dishwashing soap
Another mild and non-toxic cleaning solution for vinyl flooring is a liquid detergent or dishwashing soap.
How?
- Take a sponge or a mop and soak it in the mixture of detergent (1 tablespoon) and warm water (1 gallon)
- Rub it on the vinyl floor gently until the stains vanish and flooring appears clean as before
- Clean the mop by soaking it in clean cold water and wipe the floor again to rinse out all the residue
- You can follow this floor cleaning method regularly for clean vinyl flooring
For deep cleaning, you can add a cup of apple cider vinegar to the liquid soap mixture and then mop the floor.
Clean Discolored Vinyl Floor Using vinegar
Not only in cooking but vinegar is most commonly used in house cleaning too, especially carpets and floors.
How?
- Take a bucket and add one gallon of warm water along with one cup of vinegar
- Mix it well. Now immerse a clean microfiber mop into the mixture and wring it
- Start mopping the floor gently
- After certain wipes, rinse the mop head. If the mixture appears dirty, prepare the solution again and continue mopping until the floor appears clean
- Do not forget to dry the vinyl floor, thoroughly
Clean Discolored Vinyl Floor Using rubbing alcohol
Rubbing alcohol is a good floor cleaning ingredient to get rid of stubborn stains like ink or liquid makeup. It does not contain harsh chemicals as such, so, you can use it for cleaning discolored vinyl floor. Still, it is recommended to use first on any insignificant area to prevent unnecessary damage.
How?
- You just need a clean white cloth and rubbing alcohol
- Dip the cloth into the solution
- Gently rub it over the discolored floor area. The stain will vanish slowly
- Repeat till you notice, no stains
Clean Discolored Vinyl Floor Using lemon
Just like vinegar, lemon is a fantastic cleaning agent. It contains antiseptic and antibacterial properties. It’s a natural bleach that cleans the floor without damaging it.
How?
- First take a clean damp cloth and wipe on the discoloration part as much as possible to lighten the stains
- Take a lemon and cut it into half and start rubbing it on the stain
- You can continue rubbing with another half of lemon too
- Once you see the stains vanishing, take a damp cloth and wipe it off to remove the residue of lemon
- Now dry the area with a clean dry cloth
If the home remedies do not show expected results, try using WD-40. It is also an effective solution to whiten the yellow vinyl flooring. However, test it before on an inconspicuous area to check if it’s suitable for your flooring. Apart from this, you can also opt for a vinyl floor cleaner for positive results.
Though vinyl is an inexpensive flooring type, just like any other floors, proper care is necessary.