How to Remove Stains from Vinyl Flooring?

Vinyl is a popular material used in flooring, both private and commercial living spaces. Vinyl flooring comes in diverse designs and is easy to maintain.

For it to maintain its quality and shiny appearance, it needs proper cleaning and regular maintenance. Vinyl flooring is resistant to many bases, alcohols, acids as well as oils.

There are different types of stains common in vinyl tile, and each will dictate the remover and method you will use to remove it.

Best Ways of Removing Stains From Vinyl Flooring

Vinyl floor staining is hardly permanent. Stains occur when a potent chemical substance is left on a floor for a long duration.

Always wipe out any liquid or dirt that spills on the vinyl floor as soon as possible, as they might result in tough stains that can prove hard to remove.

Some of the common stains that can get in your vinyl floor and the different ways to remove them are as follows:

Rust stain on the vinyl floor is not removable with the regular cleaning of the flooring. The most effective remedy of removing rust stain is a paste of water and oxalic acid powder. The oxalic acid powder is commonly known as wood bleach. The following are steps to follow.

1. First, prepare the paste by mixing water with the oxalic acid powder.
2. Put on the gloves and rub the paste on the rust stain on your vinyl floor using a damp cloth.
3. Once you are done rinse the area with clean water

Vinyl flooring can be damaged by scuff and heel marks, as is the case with other flooring surfaces. Scuffs patches appear on the top of the surface. When you use the ingredients that safely remove these marks, you leave the vinyl floor looking new.

1. Use a pencil eraser to scrub off the scuffs
2. You then moisten the eraser with water and use it to remove the remaining scuff or marks
3. Dampen a soft cloth with rubbing alcohol to remove the remaining residues
4. Rinse the vinyl with a clean damp cloth and then dry it off

Yellowing of the vinyl floor is very common, especially when the floor is aging making it look worn or dirty. It is mainly common if the rubber mat is used because the yellowing is due to continual contact with rubber. The below steps are a guide on how you can remove these stains.

1. Sweep or vacuum the floor to make it sparkling clean
2. Use a soft damp cloth and wet the yellowed area
3. Sprinkle baking soda on the yellowed area and let it sit on the surface for about 15 minutes
4. Use a wet cloth to rinse the stain
5. Repeat the process until the stain is completely removed

Chewing gum is an ordinary stain that affects different types of flooring. The following is a simple procedure on how to remove it from your vinyl floor.

1.  Put crushed ice in a bag and place it above the stain. Then leave it there for several minutes to brittle the chewing gum
2. Use a plastic knife that is non-abrasive to the vinyl floor to pry the gum
3. Remove the chewing gum residue by soaking a soft cloth in rubbing alcohol and rubbing it off
4. Then rinse the floor area that had the stain

For candle lovers, candle wax spills are an ordinary stain that they experience on their vinyl floor. For you to remove it, follow the following procedure:

1. Wait until the candle wax is completely dry
2. Use a non-abrasive scraper, i.e., a plastic knife or a rubber scraper, to extract the wax from the floor
3. After removing the wax, wipe the vinyl with a damp microfiber cloth soaked on a vinegar-water solution

These stains are very stubborn on the vinyl floor, but there is still a remedy for removing them.

1. First, place some ice on the grease stain and let it sit there for about 15 minutes
2. The grease stain hardens and is easily removed using a plastic spoon or knife
3. After removing the stain, wipe off the remaining grease residue using a window cleaner. You then rinse off the area

If you accidentally spill nail polish on your vinyl floor, there is no need to worry. Using the below steps, you will remove the stain without leaving any traces.

1. Soak a soft cloth on rubbing alcohol or on an acetone-free nail polish remover
2. Apply on the stain and leave it for a few minutes
3. Rinse off the surface

Other stains are occasioned by spills from tomato sauce, red wine, grape juice, and other related stains. The remedy of removing them is:

1. Dilute bleach and water in a ratio of 1:4
2. Soak a soft cloth on the solution and lay it over the stain and leave it to sit there for about one hour
3. After the stain vanishes, rinse the surface with a clean damp cloth and then dry the area

Things to Avoid When Removing A Stain On Vinyl Flooring

• Do not scrub too hard

Cleaning the vinyl floor with too much force can damage the vinyl floor and make it lose its shine. Use a soft material to rub gently. Use a proper mop to clean your vinyl floors.

• Never use abrasive cleaners

Abrasive cleaners contain chemicals that are harmful to the vinyl floor

• Do not soak and leave the floor wet 

Vinyl flooring seeps water via the edges into the seams, destroying the glue that attaches the floor, and thus reducing the floor’s strength

• Wax polish or solvent-based

It is advisable not to use wax polish or solvent-based on vinyl floors because it damages the floor and takes its shine

• Ammonia or ammonia-based solution

These ingredients break down the material causing cracks on the vinyl floor

Conclusion

Spills stains and scuffs are inevitable in your vinyl floor, but the way you handle them determines if your vinyl floor will be damaged. Whenever you notice a stain on your vinyl floor, use the proper stain removal technique or choose the right mop for vinyl floors as illustrated above for fast and effective results.