Can You Steam Clean Linoleum Floors? Tips to Avoid Damage

Steam mops are among the best cleaning tools for linoleum floors. They produce minimal water output and are lightweight – two things you need to consider when cleaning linoleum. Steam cleaners are not only helpful but also easy to use.

In this post, we will discuss how to steam clean linoleum floors, safe practices for cleaning linoleum, maintaining shine, and helping your lino last you a lifetime.

What is Linoleum?

Linoleum is a durable, low-maintenance flooring, usually used on bathrooms and kitchen floors, although it can be used across the entire floor in your home.

It is also easier to install than ceramic or wood tiles and far more difficult for you to ruin, mess up, or damage.

Oxidized linseed oil is the primary ingredient used to make linoleum. After oxidation, other materials such as wood flour, cork dust, calcium carbonate, and pine resin are added and compressed onto a burlap or canvas backing.

Dyes are added, so flooring patterns come in various attractive colors that can look just as beautiful as individual tiles or planks.

Due to this combination of organic materials, linoleum is easier to maintain and more durable than other floor types such as wood floors or laminate flooring. 

Is it Safe to Use a Steam Mop on Linoleum?

Steam mops are among the best cleaning tools on linoleum floors. Some of their benefits include:

• Killing germs and viruses: One of the significant benefits of steam mopping is that it helps kill dangerous viruses, bacteria, and other germs. Since it doesn’t require chemicals, it is safe for homes with kids, pets, or those easily affected by cleaning chemicals. 
• Ability to remove stubborn dirt: Another great thing about steam mopping is that it is very effective in cleaning all stubborn dirt and stains. 
• Low Water Output: As steam mops don’t use a lot of water, they are safe for use on linoleum flooring. Linoleum can be damaged by too much water and alkaline cleaners with a pH value greater than 10. As steam cleaners and mops use only water to create steam, giving you a clean linoleum floor with no harsh chemicals.

How to Steam Clean Linoleum Floors

Even though linoleum is incredibly durable, it can be affected by excess moisture. If you have a steam mop with multiple settings, I recommend using the lowest setting first. 

You can then increase the steam if needed, and your lino tolerates this.

Before you steam clean linoleum floors, you should sweep or vacuum to remove dust, dirt particles, and debris. Then:

• Fill your steam mop/cleaner with distilled or demineralized water.
• Attach a clean microfiber pad to your steamer head.
• Plug in the steamer, turn it on, and leave it for the water to heat. 
• Activate the nozzle to release hot steam as you mop the lino. 
• Start on one side of the room and work your way to the other, moving the mop backward and forwards in slow strokes.

What is the Best Way to Clean Old Linoleum Floors?

There are different methods you can use to clean old linoleum floors. They include: 

Steam Cleaning 

You can quickly and easily steam clean linoleum floors using your steam mop or cleaner. Always sweep or vacuum before steaming.

Wet Mopping

Wet mopping is the most common way of cleaning. For this, you need:

• A bucket of hot water
• Dish detergents or linoleum floor cleaner
• Mop (a soft microfiber mop is a good choice) 

Procedure 

• Add 1 to 1.5 gallons of water to a bucket. 
• Add 4 to 6 drops of dish soap to the water, stirring the mixture. You can also add 1 cup of vinegar to this solution if desired.
• Mop your linoleum floor with this solution – ensure you squeeze the excess water out of the mop. 
• After cleaning, allow the floor to dry. 

Dry Mopping

A dry mop such as a microfiber dust mop is excellent for daily cleaning. This will help collect dust and dirt, which can cause scratching and dulling of the flooring. 

You can use a dry mop combined with your steam mop for a deeper cleaning when required. 

Removing Scuff Marks and Stains

Spot clean any spills as soon as possible to avoid staining the lino. Allow the floor to dry completely before walking on that area.

You can buff out stains using a nylon brush, followed by a polish to restore the floor’s shine.

For black scuff marks, try spraying a small amount of WD-40 onto the scuff and wipe it off. Baby oil has also been known to work for scuff marks on linoleum. If you don’t have either of those, try an eraser on the scuff mark.

For chemical-free cleaning of stains and scuff marks, make a paste out of baking soda and water and use this to gently scrub away at the scuff with a soft scrub brush.

If you find that area has dulled, you may need to apply a linoleum floor polish to restore the shine.

Regardless of how you clean your old linoleum, be careful around any damaged areas. You don’t want water to get in underneath the lino. This can cause swelling, rotting, mold and further damage.

What is the Best Steam Cleaner for Linoleum Floors?

The best all round steam cleaner for those on a budget is the Home Right Steam Machine Elite. If you are looking for something that will last you for many years to come, take a look at the Vapor Clean II Home Steam Cleaner. Both offer higher than average steam temperatures, various accessories, decent steaming times and both would suit to steam clean linoelum floors.

The Italian made Vapor Clean II offers a longer steaming time and better quality overall. Check them both out below:

Why are Linoleum Floors so Popular? 

Nowadays, most homeowners are considering installing linoleum floors because of the following reasons; 

• Durable – If you know how to maintain linoleum floors, they can serve you for decades. They are also able to retain their attractive patterns for many years. 
• Stylish – These floors have an elegant appearance, making them the best for modern homes. They have excellent pigment distribution, which improves the aesthetics of your house.  
• Easy to maintain- Compared to other types of floors, lino is simple and easy to maintain.   
• Eco-friendly– The other awesome thing about these floors is that they do not have VOCs or toxic ingredients, offering an environmentally friendly solution for your home.
• Comfort– Compared to other types of floors, such as stone or ceramic tiles, linoleum floors will give your feet better support and comfort. They are soft and warm underfoot, not hard on your joints, feet, and back. 

What are the Disadvantages of Linoleum Floors? 

• Linoleum is easily affected by water since it traps moisture easily. Therefore, you should ensure that you clean up spills efficiently, watch for water damage from indoor pot plants, etc. 
• Latex backings and rubber backings can cause staining on lino flooring. If you have rugs with these backings, don’t use them in areas of your home with linoleum.
• Walked in dirt can scratch and dull the surface of your linoleum. Try to remove your shoes or use mats at the entryway.
• Their color pigments can be destroyed by sunlight which causes them to fade.
• Lino is susceptible to scratching, dulling, and damage from sharp objects.

Which types of Cleaners Should You use on Linoleum Floors? 

Due to the delicate nature of linoleum, you cannot use just any cleaning tool to clean them. Below are the best tools you should use:

• Steam mops: Without a doubt, steam mops will give you unmatched results when cleaning linoleum floors. This is because they offer deep cleaning without chemicals.
• Standard mops: These are the ordinary mops people use daily to clean their houses. You just need to put some hot water in a bucket, add detergent and use the soapy water solution to clean the floor. 
• Spray mops: Versatile and easy to use, spray mops use little water, making them suitable for cleaning linoleum flooring.  
• Vacuum cleaners: Vacuum cleaners are also suitable for linoleum flooring materials. You should avoid using brush rollers intended for carpets; they can easily damage your linoleum. 
• Soft brooms: When sweeping your lino, always use a flat mop with a microfiber head or a broom with soft nylon bristles to avoid scratching the surface.  

Tips to Enhance the Longevity of Linoleum Floors 

Linoleum can last for more than 40 years, but only if you know how to maintain it. Some of the things you should do to extend the durability and longevity include: 

• Clean frequently: The best way to maintain your linoleum is to clean it often. You should also wipe spills immediately after they happen. 
• Use door mats: Door mats help pick small particles of loose dirt, so they don’t get tracked through your home. Regularly shake and clean your door mats also!
• Avoid applying too much pressure when cleaning: You should use low-impact cleaning methods; lino can be damaged by too much pressure.
• Use a steam mop to clean your linoleum: Avoid using chemicals such as ammonia-based cleaners as they can strip the lino of its coatings and shine.
• Protect the floor: Use colorfast protectors underneath your furniture to help avoid scratches and wear marks.

Enjoy Your Linoleum Flooring

We are so happy you found this article on how to steam clean linoleum floors. We hope you have learned how to care for your lino and the benefits of using a steam cleaner. If you have any further questions about using cleaning with steam, please feel free to reach out.