How to clean discolored vinyl flooring and make it like new?

Many people choose vinyl flooring instead of other ones. This is a great option because it is cheap to install and maintain. Durability doesn’t depend on the price and vinyl flooring is considered very long-lasting.

The main issue associated with the vinyl floor is color fading so it may look weathered even with the proper care. Fortunately, it is not inevitable and there are many ways to clean discolored vinyl flooring.

In this article, we’ll discuss the reasons for yellow discoloration and give a few tips on how to clean discolored vinyl flooring that doesn’t require any special tools or products as we bet you already have everything to deal with the issue at home.

What causes vinyl flooring to discolor?

Vinyl flooring discoloration happens due to many reasons even though it is chosen for its resistance. Let’s take a look at the most common factors that accelerate the appearance of yellow stains on vinyl floors.

Improper installation

There are a lot of mistakes that you can make while installing your vinyl floors. One of the most dangerous is considered to be choosing wrong or not applying an adequate substrate under the vinyl flooring. As a result, there is no moisture barrier and trapped moisture causes discolored stains.

Adhesive stains are another mistake that appears frequently. If too much adhesive was used during the installation of the vinyl flooring, there will be stains as the excess product is coming through from underneath. Dirt may also come from inner layers and cause yellow stains.

Mold and mildew

Humidity not only damages the vinyl floors because of excess moisture but also may cause unpleasant things such as mold and mildew. It appears because of improper installation, as previously mentioned, and due to scuffs and scratches.

Mildew and mold change the color of the vinyl flooring because of contamination. To avoid it, remember to always dry your flooring surface with a microfiber cloth and clean the liquid spills as fast as possible.

Direct sunlight

UV rays lead to vinyl flooring discoloration because it is not resistant to exposure to the sun. High temperatures also may cause the color to fade in the sunlight-affected area.

Unfortunately, direct sunlight is usually the reason for permanent discoloration so as it is impossible to remove stains, the only solution is to replace the vinyl planks with discoloration stains.

To prevent discoloration from UV light, don’t install vinyl flooring near the large windows, patio doors, and your fireplace.

Bleach and harsh chemicals

If someone gives you the advice to clean discolored vinyl flooring using bleach, don’t listen! Bleach is way too harsh and will destroy the thin layer on top of the vinyl flooring which is meant to protect it.

With sunlight it creates a dangerous combination and such a chemical reaction will for sure leave yellow stains on the vinyl floor.

Remember to buy cleaners specifically designed for vinyl floors as they don’t include ammonia or other harsh chemicals in their ingredient list. Also, wash vinyl flooring only with warm water as hot water is damaging to the protective coat.

Markers, crayons, and makeup stains

Permanent markers are almost impossible to remove, so many people accidentally damage their vinyl flooring trying to do so.

Wax, which is the main component of the crayons, is highly reactive with the vinyl floor and leaves it uncovered and vulnerable to other chemicals and moisture.

Makeup leaves very stubborn stains on your vinyl flooring. That is why you need to immediately wipe off any makeup that gets on your floor.

Reaction with rubber materials

When rubber and vinyl contact each other, there is a reaction that causes vinyl flooring discoloration.

Rubber mats, rubber-backed rugs, and rubber furniture legs are the reason why there are yellow stains on your vinyl floor. It is hard to notice them as we bet you rarely move your furniture. Fortunately, this problem will be avoided if you don’t allow them to contact vinyl flooring.

How to clean discolored vinyl flooring?

We’ve discussed factors why your vinyl floor becomes discolored. Even if you couldn’t prevent discoloration, there are still many ways to clean vinyl flooring.

Warm water and dish soap

The easiest and cheapest method of cleaning vinyl flooring is just warm water. It helps to remove impermanent stains (such as stuck-on food or dirt) better than detergent and dry cloth.

When you apply warm water, any dirt that is on your vinyl floor will become loose and you would be able to easily wipe it off with a microfiber cloth.

You can remove water stains by using a sponge mop with a cleaning solution if they are left afterward.

Didn’t the warm water help much? The second thing you’ll need is dish soap which is helpful as you probably already have it at home and it has neutral pH which means it is not harmful to the vinyl flooring.

Acidic or alkaline solutions are abrasive cleaners and dish soap isn’t – it is a natural vinyl floor cleaner. It helps with vinyl discoloration carefully and removes stained appearance.

Just mix dish soap with water and apply this cleaning solution on the vinyl floor, then wipe it off with a dry soft cloth.

Baking soda

Another way to deal with a problem is a baking soda that you 100% can find in your cupboard. Baking soda will help you remove stubborn stains.

Sprinkle baking soda on the areas with tough stains and leave for about 5 minutes. After this time, rinse it thoroughly with warm water and wipe it off with a clean cloth.

If you need to deal with stubborn grease, mix baking soda with water, apply it to your vinyl flooring, and rub gently. Then clean any residue left with a separate cloth.

Don’t forget to use protective gloves when you use baking soda as the chemical reaction may irritate the skin on your hands.

Acidic cleansers (lemon juice and apple cider vinegar)

Acidic cleansers such as lemon juice and apple cider vinegar are a decent solution too but they should be used with caution as they can leave a dull residue on the vinyl floors.

Lemon juice effectively helps to remove rust stains. Dilute lemon juice in water and clean the areas with vinyl plank discoloration. If it doesn’t do much, rub half of a lemon on the stains. Then wipe it off with a damp cloth.

Apple cider vinegar has the same acidic properties as lemon juice and to remove the stains with it, simply rub the affected area with it (you may mix it with water and dish soap for better results) and dry with a microfiber cloth.

However, white vinegar might be a better solution as apple cider vinegar has a dark color and may leave some stains.

Rubbing alcohol

Rubbing alcohol is a great choice if you have to deal with ink and makeup stains. It is also suitable to remove scuff marks.

If you want to use rubbing alcohol, rub the vinyl flooring in a circular motion with a cloth soaked in it until you get clean floors. Dry the surface with a clean cloth after to remove any excess rubbing alcohol.

Cream of tartar

Cream of tartar is mild acid salt which like lemon juice is good to clean rust stains. Mix it with water to the thick paste, rub it on the vinyl flooring, and let it sit for half an hour. Wipe the thick paste off with a damp sponge or a damp cloth.

Remember to rinse your floor thoroughly while using this method as it can leave a dull residue. You may use a cream of tartar not only for vinyl flooring but also for coffee machines and copper.

WD-40

WD-40 effectively deals with scuff marks which are the cause of yellow discoloration. So, rub it over your floor in a circular motion until you see that the scratches are gone.

Don’t forget to test WD-40 in an unsuspicious area beforehand and to use latex gloves in the process.

Vacuum regularly

You should vacuum the entire floor at least once a week because dirt may also lead to discoloration of your vinyl floors.

Make sure to vacuum every inch, so there will be no dirt left. If you notice it in places that are hard to reach with a vacuum cleaner, use the old toothbrush to wipe it off.

How to take care of the vinyl floors?

Vinyl floors are not that hard to take care of and they can be very long-lasting. Here we’re going to discuss the rules which you should follow to prevent your vinyl flooring from discoloration.

Proper installation is very important

This first step is crucial as future vinyl floors’ discoloration highly depends on whether or not they were installed properly.

Make sure to add only as much adhesive as you need so there will be neither trapped moisture nor adhesive stains which will lead to issues in the future.

Pay attention to the way you clean

• You need to sweep daily and vacuum vinyl floors weekly. Make sure that you clean the entire floor surface because this way you’ll prevent discoloration as much as possible.

• Don’t use a damp mop daily as vinyl flooring is not waterproof. Surely, it is water-resistant but moisture can damage the adhesive underneath and dull the vinyl finish.
• Your deep cleaning sessions shouldn’t include harsh chemicals such as bleach. Make sure to choose cleaning products formulated specifically for vinyl flooring.

Allow no direct sunlight on the vinyl flooring

UV rays, as discussed above, have a negative impact on vinyl flooring. So, it is important to use window coverings that limit or completely block UV radiation. These curtains will make your vinyl flooring live much longer.

Use protective feet for your furniture

Furniture legs often cause scratches as you accidentally move them around while you clean. That is why you should buy special protective pads that will keep scratches away.

Wipe off any spills immediately

Spills are accidental and we don’t blame you for them. We just give advice: wipe them off right after you notice them.

You may also clean the area with lukewarm water and mild soap. It will be much easier to remove any residue immediately than to deal with it when it is already stuck deeply.

Read also: White Residue On Vinyl Floor: All You Need to Know

FAQs

Conclusion

We’ve discussed the reasons and given you many ways how to clean discolored vinyl flooring. We also gave you some rules that will help you avoid the problem of discoloration in the future.

Dealing with vinyl flooring discoloration is not that hard if it is caused by stains from accidental spills, crayons, markers, and makeup. On the other hand, it may become more complicated if the reason for discoloration is sunlight or rubber.

Even though vinyl floors are cheap, they still require proper care: don’t use too much water, wash them gently, and use mild cleaning solutions.

Try our suggested methods and you will forget that your vinyl floors ever had a stained appearance!