Yellowed stains on linoleum flooring can be an unpleasant surprise when doing a deep clean of your bathroom or kitchen. Usually, these stains are found beneath a rug or carpet that has been in the same place for long periods of time. Whether the rug has a rubber backing or not, yellowed stains may still appear and become tough to get rid of.
Why Are There Rug Stains?
The rug stains on the linoleum or vinyl flooring can stem from the materials used to make the flooring itself. Linseed oil is one of the materials used to create vinyl or linoleum flooring and can actually develop a chemical reaction over time. If there is no sun exposure on the flooring, then that portion of the floor will begin to oxidize creating a yellow discoloration on that particular area of the floor.
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Another reason the floor can develop a lemon yellow rug stain is due to the rubber backing found on certain rugs or mats. These rubber backings can also have a chemical reaction with the compounds of the vinyl flooring and create some unwanted stains. Unfortunately, if the stain on the vinyl or linoleum floor is caused by the rubber backing, then the stain is more likely irreversible. If the stain comes from lack of sunlight, there are tricks that can be tried in order to make the floor go back to its original state.
Sunlight as Rug Stain Removal
Since a lack sunlight is what caused the vinyl flooring's yellow discoloration in the first place, reintroducing sun to the stained areas on the floor should return the surface back to its original color. This method will surely work, but the only disadvantage is that it will take a long time to regain the original color on the flooring depending on how long the affected area was covered.
The treatment is simple: Remove all carpets and items covering the floor and allow the maximum amount of sunlight possible to hit the floor. Do not cover up the flooring again until the yellowed stains are gone. Keep in mind to periodically remove the carpets for short periods in the future so it does not happen again.
Baking Soda Treatment
Another method that can offer quicker results is a simple baking soda treatment. It may take more than one treatment to rectify the discoloration, but it should obtain quicker results than the sunlight method. Simply clean the floor, removing all sorts of debris and items covering the flooring. Wet the yellowed areas with clean water followed by a light layer of baking soda. Allow the treatment to set for 10 to 15 minutes, then wipe away the mixture with a cloth. Repeat the treatment as many times as desired to obtain the original color of the flooring. Continue the treatment in the future during the weekly cleanings of the room so the stains do not reappear.
Rubber Scuff Removal
Another frustrating mark that can happen are scuffs from items, such as shoes or rubber backed rugs on vinyl flooring. These markings should generally go away with a typical floor cleaning, but if they are proving more difficult to remove, there fortunately is a solution. All it requires is Isopropyl alcohol and a white cloth. It is important to make sure the cloth is white because the alcohol has a strength that can bleed colored rags and create an even bigger mess on the floor. Simply dampen the cloth and wipe the rubber scuff mark away. It is advised to test the product on a part of floor that is out of view before committing to a mark in plain sight.