Vinyl flooring is one of the affordable flooring options you can avail and yes, they look good too. But of course, no matter you go for expensive flooring or a cheap one, unless you take good care of them, they will wear and damage over time.
Thus, if you have been observing discoloration of your vinyl flooring lately then know that you are doing something wrong. How many a week do you clean the floors? Which cleaner do you use for mopping?
Do you mop or vacuum the place? Well, your cleaning techniques and products are one of the biggest reasons, which may be causing discoloration of your vinyl flooring.
Thus, before we tell you how to whiten yellowed vinyl flooring, you need to understand the reason behind it.
Although you are regular in cleaning the floors but mopping with cleaners that contain harsh chemicals is a big no. you may use it once a month but not often because these chemicals damage the protective layer of the vinyl flooring and hence, cause whitish marks on it.
Moreover, if you have been mopping the floor more often, stop right there. If you do not clean the floor dry after mopping, the moisture absorbs inside the flooring and starts to damage it from the inside, which causes the black stains on the vinyl floor.
Hence, make sure you either vacuum or broom the place more often and if there is a need to mop the place, do not use any harmful cleaners and always clean the floor dry after it.
How to Restore Vinyl Flooring
Since you never realized that you were cleaning the vinyl floor wrong which has led to discoloration and staining of it, now how to whiten vinyl flooring? Especially the discolored vinyl flooring bathroom?
Before we share our tips with you, know that the discoloration and stains will not go in one wash. Thus, make sure you repeat the process until it is all gone out. Thus, here is how to restore vinyl flooring:
1. Baking Soda Works Like Magic
If we tell you that one of the best cleaners is all already present in your home then how would you react? Yes, that is correct! Baking soda is a natural cleaner. Although, we do use it for baking and cooking it works as a great cleaner and deodorizer.
So, how do you use it? Mix some baking soda in water to make a thick paste and then apply it to the stains and discolored parts of the flooring.
Leave it for some time and then, use a soft-bristled brush to rub off the stains. Once done, wipe off with a damp piece of cloth.
2. Try Some Lemon Juice
Who doesn’t love sipping chilled lemonade on a hot, sunny day? Everyone does! But did you know that lemon is naturally acidic and hence, can help get rid of tough stains and discoloration?
If your bathroom vinyl tiles have turned yellowish, use lemon juice to get rid of them. You can either squeeze out the juice and mix it in water to make cleaning or simply cut the lemon and rub it on the stains.
Make sure you leave the lemon juice on the stains for some time and then, use a soft brush to rub the stains before you wipe it clean.
3. Liquid Soap and Apple Cider Vinegar
You must have heard of using white vinegar for cleaning the floors but did you know that apple cider vinegar could be used for restoring the vinyl tile flooring? We bet you did not!
If you are observing black stains on your vinyl flooring, we would suggest mixing some liquid soap with apple cider vinegar in water. Spritz the stains with the natural cleaner and let it sit.
Next, use a brush to rub the stains and wipe them clean, we do not suggest rinsing the stains with water because the more moisture is left on the vinyl flooring, the more it will absorb inside and cause further damage.
4. Rubbing Alcohol
If you have already tried all the hacks and nothing is working, try some rubbing alcohol. Pour some of it on a piece of cotton and rub the stains with it.
But as we already mentioned, the yellow stains on your bathroom tiles won’t clean in one gone.
You will have to repeat the process a few times before you see any visible results!
5. Commercial Cleaner
Okay, since most of the homeowners are more comfortable in using commercial cleaners, you can go for one too like the WD-40.
This cleaner is fully safe and has a powerful stain removal. Just pour it on some cotton and rub the stain with it.
When using commercial cleaners for stain removal, make sure you do not opt for cleaners with high amounts of ammonia or bleach, or else, it will do worse than any good to your floors.
Ways to Prevent and Staining of Vinyl Flooring
When after a lot of hard work and effort, you have been successful in removing stains and restoring the vinyl flooring, you need to make sure to prevent it from happening again, or all your efforts will go in vain.
Thus, how can you protect your vinyl tile floors from damage? Or at least make them last a little longer? Here are some preventive measures that would help:
Use cleaners that are specifically made for cleaning the vinyl flooring
opt for natural cleaners like apple cider vinegar, baking soda, etc whenever possible
change the sides of the rugs to avoid discoloration of one place
cover your vinyl flooring with protective paint so it doesn’t wear quickly
do not mop the floor more than once a week
when you mop the floor, make sure to wipe it dry so that no moisture absorbs inside the floors and thus, damaging it
always use a viper to flush out the water from your bathroom and make sure no water is left on the floor after your bath
Being careful around your vinyl flooring can greatly increase its life. And thus, remember to take these preventive measures so your floors last at least a decade or more.
Cleaning is Important
As much as it is important to maintain a certain level of cleanliness around your house, make sure you are careful in your actions too.
What mistake that most people make is of using cleaners with bleaches to clean the floor which is the biggest cause of discoloration and staining.
Moreover, you need to understand that whenever you mop the floor, it is necessary to wipe it dry. do not leave it to air dry because then you’ll only be speeding up the process of moisture absorption.
The more moisture is absorbed inside the floor, the quicker it will stain, and hence, always use a clean, dry cloth to wipe the floors dry.
Rather than opting for regular mopping, go for vacuuming because it is just simpler, easier, and much safe for the vinyl floors. But if the need is, mop the floor with the damp floor, do not use bleach for cleaning, and always wipe it dry.
Relax and Enjoy!
Ff your floors are already stained and discolored, put in a little effort to remove the stains or simply call in professional cleaners to help you restore the look.
They will charge you for their service but surely be able to successfully restore your vinyl floor without causing any further damage to it.
John Wesley is passionate about cleaning industry especially vacuum cleaners. He is having more than a decade of experience in repairing and selling vacuum cleaners from a well known retail shop. When he’s not testing and reviewing latest vacuum cleaners for this site, he likes to spend time with his partner, 2 kids, and doing house projects.
