Cleaning Discolored Linoleum

Discolored Linoleum

I have a Linoleum floor in my kitchen that is white. I had a rug over 1/2 of the floor and now that I have removed the rug I found that the floor is a darker color where the area rug used to be. How do I get my floor one color again?

Lela from Casper, WY

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RE: Discolored Linoleum

If the area rug that you removed had a rubber backing, I doubt that you'll be able to remove the color because it was probably a chemical reaction to the rubber. (03/01/2006)

By Luvyabye

RE: Discolored Linoleum

If it is "true linoleum" (ie: older and actually made using linseed oil, rather than newer linoleums that are made with plastics) the yellowing may just fade away over time when exposed to natural light. Oil will naturally yellow in the dark, but then fade (bleach, actually) slowly when exposed to the light again. I can't guarentee that this will happen on your floor, but it may. Wait a few months and see. (03/01/2006)

By Anna

RE: Discolored Linoleum

ZAP didn't work on mine. I'm told by an expert, NOTHING can remove that stain. If it really bothers you put another rug over it. I like what Rose B. said. Just ingnore it. (03/04/2006)

By Great Granny Vi

RE: Discolored Linoleum

My mother had the same problem with her linoleum. She had a rug in front of her sink that had rubber backing. It turned the floor yellow. Nothing she used to cleaned it with worked. So she just bought another rug and covered it. (03/06/2006)

By nana6x

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Yellowed Linoleum Tiles

Does anyone know how to get rid of "yellow" wear stains out of linoleum tiles? My linoleum floors are still in good shape, but have yellowed over the years. Any suggestions? Crystal from Arvada, CO

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RE: Yellowed Linoleum Tiles

I took a Mr. Clean magic eraser to my mother in laws 20 some year old floor, and with a little scrubbing, I got up a lot of the stains. they are cheap, about a dollar a piece. hope this helps (01/23/2007)

By Designersheets

RE: Yellowed Linoleum Tiles

The yellowing is from dirt that is ground into the wax. We had the same thing when we moved in. We were able to bring the floor back to about 85% by scrubbing the floor w/ a 50% ammonia, 50% water mixture - using a serious green scrub. This actually strips the wax from the floor, taking the grime with it. THE KEY is that when you're done, you need to put a layer or two of wax back on. I just bought it from a local Ace Hardware and used a rag towel to slosh it back on. We put 3 coats on (dry well between each coat) and it is really a ton easier to keep clean now. Lots of work - but glad we did it. You could do it in sections if the whole thing is too much. (01/24/2007)

By CarlaJS

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Yellowed Linoleum Tiles

I've a 4 year old white linoleum floor in the kitchen. It's starting to show odd yellowing stains in various places. I'm hoping someone knows the trick to remove these. It's cleaned nearly everyday. Can't understand why these yellow marks are appearing.

Sandra B from Montvale, NJ

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RE: Yellowed Linoleum Tiles

I had a white linoleum tile floor a few years ago. I was told when I bought it that white linoleum always yellows. I cleaned our floor with white vinegar and very hot water. In the 6 years we had the floor it never yellowed. Sorry I don't how to remove existing yellowing. Good luck. (08/14/2007)

By Carla J.

RE: Yellowed Linoleum Tiles

A friend with a flooring store told me that florescent lighting will turn a vinyl floor yellow after several years. But how to fix it? I don't think you can. (08/16/2007)

By Lynn

RE: Yellowed Linoleum Tiles

I have found two things that work good. One is the steam mop. I have used it The best is hard work but it works, at least for me. After I have mopped the floor I use the Tuft and Tidy floor wipes. I wipe by hand on my hands and knees and I was shocked at the yellow and tan colors that came up. It will last for several months before I have to do it again. I am using the steam mop now because it works good and is much easier to use. (01/06/2009)

By Joan P

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Cleaning Discolored Linoleum

I am looking for a solution to cleaning my no wax floor which has turned yellow under a rug. Can you please help?

Thanks,

Margie.

Editor's Note: This request was in response to a Linoleum request so I assume she is referring to a No Wax Linoleum floor. Please be sure which type of flooring you have before trying these remedies. Linoleum and vinyl are completely different materials.

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RE: Cleaning Discolored Linoleum

Never place rubber on vinyl flooring. A chemical reaction between the rubber and the vinyl will cause flooring discoloration. This is irreversible. (09/02/2004)

By D. Hodge

RE: Cleaning Discolored Linoleum

Have you tried the Mr. Clean Magic Eraser? It just might work. It's a chemical free thing you can try. Susan from ThriftyFun. (02/06/2005)

By ThriftyFun

RE: Cleaning Discolored Linoleum

This chemical reaction is permanent. The only solution is to replace the tile or get a bigger floor mat and glue it to the surface. (03/26/2005)

By James

RE: Cleaning Discolored Linoleum

I used mineral spirits and it removed most of mine. (04/28/2005)

By Debbie

RE: Cleaning Discolored Linoleum

I first tried the Mr Clean Magic eraser. It didn't do anything. I then tried the Chlorox full strength. It took a couple of applications and it is nearly white. I will do it again tomorrow and I'm sure it will be completely gone. One nice thing is that it did not affect the grey square line nor the green diamond pattern. Thanks for the tip and I know I will be sharing this around. (04/12/2007)

By Kathie

Teak Wood Bath Mats

Be careful of those teak bath mats as well. I bought one, had it on the bathroom floor and it created streaks where the feet touched. Looks like pee stains. To add to the fun, the bath mat is molding and the whole reason I bought this was because people said it would stay cleaner longer. The rumor mill is working overtime it seems. (06/24/2007)

By Annoyed Apartment Resident

RE: Cleaning Discolored Linoleum

The problem you are having is not from the rug being on the floor. Builders these days use lower end vinyl floors that tend to yellow when anything is laid on them, including carpets (of all types of backings), cardboard, plant pots, etc. These floors are only designed to be down for 5-7 years expecting the home owner to either want a change or to sell the house. The upper grade linoleum floors rarely have a problem of this nature. (08/22/2007)

By Brian

RE: Cleaning Discolored Linoleum

OxiClean with boiling water works very well. Just mix 1/4 cup to a gallon of very hot or boiling water. (08/31/2007)

By Angela

RE: Cleaning Discolored Linoleum

If it's linoleum that you have, then the yellowing you're seeing is due to the linseed oil (the major ingredient in linoleum) coming to the surface. The way to cure this is to simply take the rug off and expose the area to light. It could take a few hours or a few days, depending on the amount of light you can get to the affected area. Natural light works the best. Cleaning will not make the yellowing disappear. Hope that's helpful. (09/03/2007)

By ekie333

RE: Cleaning Discolored Linoleum

DO NOT BLEACH! Using full strength bleach on vinyl/linoleum floors can actually damage the floor. I used Clorox to clean up spilled chicken juice in my kitchen, and it left a dull patch on the floor. No more shine. I have tried many things to get the yellowing stain off my floor, it is permanent. (12/28/2007)

By

RE: Cleaning Discolored Linoleum

I have recently heard that ammonia works to clean the yellowing linoleum. I am going to try it myself to see how well it works. (03/25/2008)

By

RE: Cleaning Discolored Linoleum

I have used Johnson Floor Stripper and then resealed with High Speed Floro Finish. However, I am in the process of redoing the floor (every other year) and cannot find these products. Linoleum is not vinyl and people keep pointing me to products that are for vinyl. Good luck. (08/23/2008)

By Jeanne

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Cleaning Discolored Linoleum

How do I get yellow color off my linoleum floor in my kitchen? It maybe due to use or the way I've been cleaning it. It's about 7 years old? Please help me I've tried everything.

Thank you.

By Barbara from Round Lake, IL

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RE: Cleaning Discolored Linoleum

Are you using floor wax or polish? (12/01/2009)

By Deeli

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Cleaning Discolored Linoleum

I have white vinyl linoleum that has become discolored. What can I do to bring back the white?

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Cleaning Discolored Linoleum

A set of those gel window clings accidentally were put on some bathroom linoleum wall tile (it's one of those full sheets with a smooth, plasticy surface, not porous tiles).