Linoleum & Marmoleum Floor Care: Fact vs. Fiction

By: Mike Anderson

Linoleum and Marmoleum floors are perfect for high-traffic areas because of their durability. Even so, like all flooring materials, they need to be cleaned and maintained regularly to keep them that way, so a daily sweeping and damp mopping routine will go a long way to keeping them in great shape for a long time. Here are some common misconceptions about linoleum and Marmoleum floors and what you need to know to keep yours looking at their best at all times. 

Routine Cleaning

FICTION: Linoleum and Marmoleum have so many natural properties that they do not need to be cleaned on a routine basis.

FACT: Every floor, regardless of type, style or species requires maintenance to uphold appearance and durability. Linoleum and Marmoleum routine maintenance is relatively easy. On a consistent routine basis, sweep and mop your Linoleum or Marmoleum floor. When dirt becomes visible it is time to use floor cleaner (we recommend WAXIE Pro Shine or WAXIE Pro Klenz) following manufacturer instructions. It’s hard to say exactly how often your floor should be cleaned because it depends on the amount of traffic the floor sees. The more traffic, the more frequently you should clean. 

Note: Dirt and debris tracked on the floor will, over time, create microscopic scratches in the floor’s finish making it appear dull. Frequent sweeping or dust mopping the floor will minimize this damaging issue.

Type of Cleaner

FICTION: It doesn’t matter what type of cleaner I use on linoleum or Marmoleum.

FACT: The right cleaner is critical to a good looking linoleum or Marmoleum floor. High pH cleaners or those with harsh alkalines will degrade linoleum and Marmoleum resulting in sticky residue or haze that could damage or discolor your floor with continued use. Use a neutral floor cleaner (we recommend WAXIE Pro Shine or WAXIE Pro Klenz) with neutral pH that will clean the floor without damaging it. 

Note: If your Linoleum or Marmoleum is new, keep in mind that using manufacturer recommended floor cleaner and procedures will uphold your warranty. Also, if you are unsure what the cleaner's pH is, you can find that information on that product's Safety Data Sheet (SDS).

Scratches

FICTION: Linoleum and Marmoleum are so durable that they will never scratch.

FACT: Linoleum and Marmoleum are durable, however they are not impervious to sharp or heavy objects dropped on or dragged across the floor (much like vinyl composition tile or VCT). Protect the floor when moving furniture or other heavy objects by putting inexpensive, yet very effective, felt pads on the feet of furniture that is moved frequently, such as tables and chairs. Use felt bottom slides for moving appliances and other heavy objects or cover the floor with Masonite or plywood. Even with these precautions, accidents do happen and linoleum and Marmoleum can scratch. Luckily, there is a procedure that will, in most cases, repair the floor to where you don’t see the scratch. 

Mike Anderson is the Commercial Equipment Specialist and Consultant for WAXIE Ontario. He is IICRC certified for carpet and hard floors, and an expert in hard and soft floor care maintenance, restoration and solutions. You can find Mike on Twitter (@waxiemike) where he posts about his two favorite things – equipment & floor cleaning challenges!

READ MORE:
6 Things You Didn't Know About Linoleum
Green and Natural Linoleum Flooring
How to Repair Scratched Linoleum & Marmoleum Flooring
Linoleum vs. Vinyl Flooring (What's the difference?)