If you want to learn how to clean linoleum floors with ground in dirt you are in the right place – we know how to get the job done in 5 easy steps
The general method involves sweeping the floor, followed by vacuuming loose dirt and then tackling any stubborn dirt with a toothbrush and baking soda mixture. Once this is done, the entire floor can be mopped with a white vinegar cleaning solution to remove any remaining dirt.
Let’s jump straight into the steps below so you can get your linoleum floor looking brand new in no time!
How To Clean Linoleum Floors With Ground In Dirt: 5 Easy Steps
Before we start with the steps you will need to collect a couple of things:
- Distilled White Vinegar
- Baking Soda
- An Old Toothbrush/Small Scrubber
- Vacuum
- Floor Sweeper (Non-Abrasive)
- A Mop and Bucket
- Old rag(s)
Once you have these items together you will be ready to move on to the first step.
1. Sweep The Floor
The first thing you should do if you are struggling with ground in dirt on a linoleum floor is to use a sweeper to remove as much dirt as possible.
Sweeping is a great way to break up larger chunks of dirt and also remove loose dirt from the floor, and this is why you should start with this step. Make sure you use a non-abrasive sweeper as you don’t want to accidentally scratch or damage the seal of the floor.
2. Vacuum Loose Dirt
Once you’ve thoroughly swept the floor you can use a vacuum to remove the dirt that has been loosened by sweeping.
Make sure you are using a hard-floor friendly vacuum attachment that is suitable for picking up dirt, as using the wrong attachment can also damage the floor.
3. Remove Stubborn Dirt With A Toothbrush And Baking Soda Solution
After sweeping and vacuuming you will have removed most of the ground in dirt, but there may still be some areas where particularly stubborn dirt is still present.
To tackle these spots you will need to follow the steps below:
- Mix 4 tbsp of baking soda with 4 cups of distilled white vinegar as required in a small bowl or container.
- Use an old toothbrush or small scrubber to apply the baking soda solution to the areas where stubborn dirt is still present and scrub thoroughly.
- Rinse the toothbrush/scrubbed regularly in the solution and continue scrubbing until all of the dirt has been lifted from the floor.
- Once the dirt is removed, use an old rag to wipe away any remaining residue.
This step should remove most, if not all, of the ground in dirt.
4. Mop The Floor Using A Vinegar Solution
The final cleaning stage is to mop the floor entirely using a solution of distilled white vinegar, essential oil and water.
Distilled white vinegar is a powerful natural cleaning agent that, when mixed with essential oils, will leave your floor smelling and looking brand new. Simply mix 1 cup of white vinegar together with a few drops of your favourite essential oil (or even lemon juice) in the bucket, and then fill the rest with hot water.
Mop the entire floor thoroughly and rinse the mop regularly to avoid making the floor dirtier than it was before mopping.
The introduction of hot water will help to remove any remaining dirt.
5. Allow To Dry
Once the mopping is complete allow the floor to dry completely. If there are any visible pools of water left behind after mopping you will need to address these first as they will cause streaks.
You can speed up the drying process by increasing the ventilation in the room by opening a window or using a fan.
What About Steam Cleaning?
Steam cleaning is another option that you can use, given the thermal properties of linoleum it will not cause any damage to the surface.
The reason we have not included this in the guide is that steam mops can be expensive to buy or rent and not everybody will have access to one. The steps laid out above are also useful for tackling highly stubborn ground in dirt, but you can replace the fourth step with a steam mop if you have one.
Final Thoughts
We hope you have a good idea of how to clean linoleum floors with ground in dirt from reading this article.
If you follow the steps in this guide you should have no issues, and if you have any questions don’t hesitate to get in touch.