If you vacuum your linoleum floor, be sure to change the vacuum settings to clean hard surfaces rather than carpet. [3] X Research source
Besides, standing water can damage linoleum, so you never want to use more water than necessary. [4] X Research source [5] X Research source
Alternatively, you could mix about 6-7 drops of a mild detergent (such as dish soap) with approximately one gallon of warm water as your cleaning solution. [7] X Research source Bear in mind that this solution will clean and disinfect your floors, but a linoleum-specific cleaner might remove dirt a little better. Chemicals that have high pH levels can be extremely damaging to linoleum flooring, so stay away from cleaning products like ammonia when cleaning your linoleum floors.
If you want to clean you floors more thoroughly, you can use a soft bristled scrub brush instead of a mop. [12] X Research source This method would most likely require you to work on your hands and knees. If you are cleaning your floor with a vinegar and water solution, you don’t need to rinse off your floor. Vinegar is a natural disinfectant, and the vinegar and water will evaporate along with the vinegar smell.
If chemical cleaning solutions are not rinsed from the floor, they will attract tiny particles of dust and dirt, that will be harder to remove later. [16] X Research source
Be sure to rinse the floor thoroughly after washing. Any leftover cleaning residue could negatively affect the polish. [19] X Research source
Try to restrict the number of times you drag your mop over a given area. Moving your mop over an area more than once or twice runs the risk of leaving streaks in the polish. [25] X Research source
