How to Clean Linoleum Floors

Newly Installed Linoleum Floors

Do not wet wash, machine scrub or strip the floor for at least four days after installation. This is to prevent excess moisture from interfering with the adhesive bond and/or seam treatments.

Routine Linoleum Floor Cleaning

1. Sweep, dust mop or vacuum thoroughly to remove all loose dust, dirt, grit and debris.
   
   
2. Wash the floor using a pH-neutral detergent solution, such as Armstrong Flooring Commercial Floor Cleaner properly diluted at 3-4 ounces per gallon or Armstrong Multi-Surface Floor Cleaner Spray (Fresh Linen scent only).
   
   NOTE: Because products with high pH levels potentially could damage your linoleum floor, we do not recommend any other "off the shelf" cleaning solutions. We also do not recommend using other Armstrong Flooring products, such as Armstrong Flooring Multi-Surface Floor Cleaner (Concentrate) or Armstrong Once 'n Done Resilient & Ceramic Floor Cleaner.
   
   
3. Wash with lightly dampened mop. Make sure you do not flood the floor, or use too much water.
   
   
4. Allow floor to dry.

Stripping Linoleum Floors (Restorative Maintenance)

• Stripping or removing previously applied polish to your floor should only be performed when routine cleaning no longer works to get your floor looking like new again. On linoleum, you should use a stripper with a pH level no higher than 10.
  
  NOTE: Armstrong Flooring New Beginning Floor Stripper & Cleaner cannot be used on linoleum.

Polishing Linoleum Floors

Armstrong linoleum has a urethane factory finish and does not require floor polish. If desired, floor polish can be applied for added protection. Here's how to do it:

1. Sweep or vacuum floor thoroughly.
   
   
2. Mix S-485 Armstrong Flooring Commercial Floor Cleaner with recommended amount of cool water per instructions, or use Armstrong Flooring Multi-Surface Floor Cleaner Spray (Fresh Linen Scent only).
   
   
3. Wash with a lightly dampened mop.
   
   
4. Allow floor to dry.
   
   
5. Apply two thin, even coats of a high-quality, pH-neutral floor polish, such as Shinekeeper Resilient Floor Finish or Armstrong Flooring Commercial Floor Polish. If a higher gloss is desired, apply an additional layer. For a matte finish, apply two thin, even coats of a low gloss polish, such as Satinkeeper Resilient Low Gloss Floor Finish.
   
   NOTE: We do not recommend any other polishing solutions because products with high pH levels potentially could damage your linoleum floor. NEVER APPLY FLOOR WAX, FURNITURE POLISH OR SILICONE PRODUCTS ON YOUR LINOLEUM FLOOR.
   
   
6. Apply polish one section at a time, in areas measuring 3-4 square feet (do not pour on floor).
   
   
7. Let polish dry 30-40 minutes between coats.
   
   
8. Allow final coat to dry for at least 60 minutes.

Linoleum Color Change

“Drying room yellowing” — sometimes referred to as “seasoning bloom,” “drying room film” or “stove yellowing” — is a natural phenomenon that occurs during the manufacturing process of all linoleum. As linoleum cures in the drying room, a yellowish cast may develop on the surface due to the oxidation of the linseed oil.

This yellowing is not a product defect. Any change in the product’s appearance because of this yellow cast is temporary and disappears after exposure to either natural or artificial light. The time required for the yellow cast to disappear ranges from a few hours to several weeks depending on the type and intensity of the light source. Typically, the yellow cast disappears more quickly with exposure to natural light.

The application of floor finishes will not interfere with the dissipation of the yellow cast. Disappearance of the yellow cast will not occur on areas not exposed to light.