4 Effective Ways- How to Clean Discolored Vinyl Flooring

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Vinyl flooring is the best alternative to hardwood when you are on a smaller budget. It is incredible, has a sleek surface, is durable, and is easy to care for.

But what about the discolored vinyl yellowing problem? What should you do when your vinyl floor is looking dingy?

Well, with time, vinyl flooring gets discolored for a few reasons. Discoloration means core damage to your vinyl floors.

Sometimes the discoloration is permanent; sometimes, it’s curable. So what are the solutions? Replacing the vinyl floor? 

No, you don’t have to replace the vinyl floor. There is a way to clean vinyl flooring yellow discoloration and possible remedies to bring back their original color. 

Want to know more How to clean discolored vinyl flooring or discolored linoleum floor? Scroll down and learn them.

How to Clean Discolored Vinyl Flooring

Several ways are there to clean discolored vinyl flooring. You can use a commercial cleaner or affordable home remedies.

Commercial cleaners contain harsh chemicals that can damage the discolored vinyl floor more. That’s why we use home remedies that are free of damages.

Interested to know about how to clean yellow vinyl flooring? Read below.

Equipment You Will Need

Baking soda, water, dish liquid, apple cider vinegar, lemon juice, sponge, clean cloth, bucket, and rubbing alcohol.

1-Using Baking Soda and Water Solution

Baking soda is a home ingredient that is an effective tool in the kitchen to clean floors. It’s an abrasive cleaning agent that can clean your stained vinyl floor and restore it. There are two ways to clean vinyl flooring.

Cleaning process one: 

  • Sprinkle some baking soda on the affected area and make sure the area is fully covered with baking soda powder. If there is any gap, the area will be left yellow. 
  • Wait for fifteen minutes and let the baking soda sit perfectly. 
  • Now vacuum the area or wipe away the floor with a dampened sponge. You can use lemon and water mixture solution to wipe away the baking soda residue for better results. 

Cleaning process two: 

  • Take some baking soda and water in a bowl. Mix them well and form a thick paste.
  • Apply the paste to the discolored area, and leave it for fifteen to twenty minutes.
  • Wipe away the residue with a clean cloth and rinse away with cold water.

2-Using Apple Cider Vinegar and Dish Detergent

Apple cider vinegar and dish detergent both are effective cleaning agents. They can clean the discolored vinyl floor and help you to remove yellow stains on the vinyl floor. 

  • Take half a gallon of warm water and half a cup of apple cider vinegar. Add two tablespoons of dish detergent into it and mix until the dish detergent dissolves. 
  • Take a clean cloth or sponge and dip it into the solution. Wring it well and mop away the floor with it. 
  • After a few minutes, use a nylon brush and scrub the discolored area gently. If any stubborn stain isn’t coming off, take some more solution and scrub again.
  • Leave the solution on the floor for fifteen to twenty minutes.
  • Don’t need to wipe away the vinyl floor; let it dry naturally.

3-Baking soda and Lemon Juice

Lemon juice can clean the yellow stain on the vinyl floor and whiten it again. When baking soda and lemon juice are mixed, they can help the yellow stain to loosen up.

  • Take half a cup of baking soda and one cup of lemon juice and make a smooth paste.
  • Apply the paste on the yellow stain and leave it for fifteen minutes to absorb the yellow color. 
  • Use plain water to dampen the cloth to wipe away the residue. If the stain is there, apply the paste again and waits another fifteen minutes.
  • Rinse away with warm water, and the stain will be gone.

4-Rubbing Alcohol

Rubbing alcohol is used to remove stubborn stains. It can solve your vinyl yellowing problem. But be careful when you use it. Ensure you wear protective gear like goggles, masks, and hand gloves to avoid touching rubbing alcohol directly. 

  • Take some rubbing alcohol in a bowl.
  • Take a clean cloth or sponge and dip it into the rubbing alcohol
  • Place the sponge in the affected area and blot it.
  • Blot until the stain is removed.
  • Wipe away with a clean cloth or paper towel.
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FAQs

What Causes Yellow Stains on Vinyl Flooring

Chemical reactions of rubber and vinyl cause the vinyl floor to yellow. It’s called antioxidant staining. The more time passes, the more stubborn the yellow stains become. 

How do you clean an old white vinyl floor?

Cleaning an old white vinyl floor takes a little more effort than a new one. Take one gallon of warm water and put a cup of apple cider vinegar in it. Dip a sponge into it and mop away the old white vinyl floor. Now mop again with plain warm water. You can add a few drops of dish liquid to the solution for better results. 

Can you whiten yellowed linoleum?

Yes, you can whiten yellowed linoleum. Take three parts of warm water and one part of bleach in a spray bottle, stir well and spray on the yellowed linoleum. Leave it to sit for 30-45 minutes. Now rub gently with a bristle brush. If the yellowed linoleum isn’t yet fully cleaner, spray the solution again and repeat the process.

How do you get yellowed vinyl white again?

Getting yellowed vinyl white again is simple. Make a paste of baking soda with warm water. Make sure the paste is thick. Apply the paste on the yellowed vinyl and leave it for fifteen minutes. Take a cloth or sponge and rub the yellowed vinyl gently. Wipe away the baking soda residue with a dampened cloth.

How do you clean yellowed linoleum floors?

Take half a bucket full of cold water, add half a gallon of white vinegar, and mix them well. Dip a sponge into the solution, wring it well, and mop away the yellowed linoleum floors. Rinse away with cold water and allow the floor to dry.

Conclusion

Cleaning discolored vinyl flooring is simple when you know the right process to do it. We have told you about four effective ways to clean discolored vinyl flooring.

All the remedies we have used are safe to use on the vinyl floors. And these organic ingredients are effective in bringing back the original color.

Try one of these ways, and let us know which one works best or if you have something to know. 

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