Linoleum Floor Care

Floors Over time, and particularly with heavy use, the glossy layer of no-wax floors becomes worn or dull in spots.

It will need a floor finish or wax to restore a uniform shine. If you have a new no-wax floor and no kids, little other traffic, and you don't wear shoes inside, you can keep it looking great for years without wax.

Linoleum offers a distinctive look that can be styled as highly contemporary, retro or simply as durable, everyday floor.

Linoleum flooring is not the same as vinyl flooring. It's an all-natural product that's anti static, antibacterial and recyclable.

When vinyl appeared in the marketplace, many people began to confuse the two. They are very different, though. Vinyl is a synthetic, petroleum-based material, while linoleum is made entirely of natural materials.

Linoleum is made of all natural materials. It gets its name from linseed oil, which is its main ingredient. Linseed oil, which is extracted from flax seed, is dried and ground into a fine power called linoleum cement. The cement is mixed with ground cork, pine resins, wood flour and natural pigments. Generally, it has a jute fiber backing. If properly maintained, linoleum is highly durable and will last for decades.

As an all-natural product, linoleum offers many advantages; First, it is considered an environmentally friendly material. It's made entirely of highly sustainable, natural materials that can be recycled. As a natural product, linoleum helps create a healthy living environment in a home and does not emit gasses.

Linoleum is great for people who suffer from allergies or asthma, because it’s hypoallergenic. It’s also naturally anti static, so dust, dirt and pollen particles are repelled, making it easy to clean. Linoleum even has natural antibacterial properties that inhibit the growth and spread of microbes.

Genuine linoleum is a unique material with maintenance characteristics similar to wood. It is tough and durable but susceptible to moisture and alkalinity. In order to produce its best appearance and to protect it from dirt and excess moisture, linoleum should be cleaned and polished with products intended for use on genuine linoleum.

If you have a lot of activity and tracked-in dirt, or if your floor is showing signs of wear, keep it waxed to protect it from further deterioration. Select a name-brand floor polish at the supermarket, or buy a self-polishing floor finish from a janitorial supply store. After the initial waxing, re-coat the major traffic areas as needed to maintain a good protective layer. Whether you opt to wax your floor or not, sweeping and mopping is important.