How can I get the shine back on my linoleum floor?
Question:I've tried everything from "mop and glow" to "shine"; nothing has brought it back Please help
Answers:
Well, here's another idea: We use fabric conditioner for the laundry. A dash in your washing water and the floor gleams.
Linoleum floors generally require only warm water for cleaning. Most detergents won't rinse clean leaving behind a sticky residue. That residue becomes a magnet, attracting dirt off the bottom of your shoes. It builds up, deteriorating the sealant and leaving you with the hard job of stripping and waxing.
If you find your floor requires a cleanser, use Ivory Liquid dish soap. Fill your sink with suds, mop away then rinse with a clean towel. Ivory rinses clean so the sticky buildup never causes problems. Other detergents can be too harsh for the floor so stick to Ivory. Mix Ivory in a spray bottle of water as a floor prespray or all-purpose cleaner. It's inexpensive and quite a good cleaner.
Some linoleum floors have grooves so deep you can sink a submarine. Grab a nylon bristle brush; other brushes might scratch. Fill your sink with warm water, add a good squirt or two of Ivory dish soap and scrub the floor. Rinse with a clean towel. Your floor needs this deep cleaning only twice a year.
Black heel marks? Not a pretty sight. Spray a little WD40 on a towel, lightly rub and they disappear without scrubbing. Rinse thoroughly with sudsy water or the floor might be slick.
If your floors still don't pass the white glove test, it may be time to strip and wax. Open the windows, turn on the fan, put on some marimba music and prepare for a good workout.
Use straight ammonia and a towel. Pour the ammonia in one area and spread around with a dishtowel. Let that set 15 to 30 minutes. After 15 minutes treat the next area. Go back to the first spot and scrub with a nylon brush. Repeat until you finish the floor. Mop up the ammonia with a clean, damp terry towel. Then rinse with 1/2 cup of vinegar per gallon of water. The vinegar removes any lingering ammonia.
Good floor wax can be found at janitorial supply stores. You pay more, but the finish lasts a long time without yellowing. Apply the wax with a clean dishtowel. Let the first coat dry several hours, then apply a second coat. Do not machine wash a towel you have used to apply wax. The wax sticks to the side of the washer and can damage future loads of clothing.
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