We often prefer vinyl floors over wood because they cost less, are easy to put together, are more durable, and are water and stain repelling. Although when you compare the two, wood gives a more luxurious finish to your home and can be re-polished. Apart from that, if you gravitate towards that ‘wooden’ look, there are vinyl floors that look like wood.
Of course, if you are here, you and your vinyl floors are looking for a clean-up. Many houses use vinyl floors because of the advantages. However, some disadvantages of vinyl flooring tiles are that the tiles are tough to mend and recycle, are not as long-lasting as wood, and are challenging to take off. Along with that, the most common issue with vinyl floors is the yellow stain over time. But fret not since this written piece aims to give you tips on avoiding and getting rid of the yellow tint on vinyl flooring.
Although there are various methods to get yellow stains off your vinyl floors, an accessible way for every household would be mixing baking soda with lemon juice and letting it rest before wiping away. You can also resort to a bleach solution for more persistent stains.
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Causes of Yellow staining on Vinyl Flooring
An immediate thought when seeing your vinyl floors getting yellow is building up of dirt over time. It is good to know that any other color, such as pink, black, blue, or grey, may indicate a moss issue. Besides that, vinyl floors can also result in chalky-colored aftermath when water and other liquids are not cleaned up right after spillage. With that out of the way, what are the causes behind the yellowing of vinyl floors? There are two very prominent reasons.
One cause of yellow staining on vinyl flooring is due to reaction with an antioxidant present in rubber. Rubber is found in multiple shoes and mats that can make yellow staining more visible over time when in contact with your vinyl tiles. It is easy to carelessly use rubber shoes inside your house on the vinyl tiles, but also just as easy to be mindful of the small habit and avoid the yellow staining issue entirely. If you need a rubber mat in your house, you can look for the “non-staining rubber backing” label to ensure minor staining.
Another cause is the very glue or adhesive used to put together and install the vinyl tiles. When purchasing the vinyl, make sure to ask which adhesive is compatible with the vinyl and is least likely to result in a yellow staining reaction. If you are not confident in installing the vinyl without making a sticky mess, a good thought would be to seek a professional’s help. Adhesive vinyl tiles can be used to make the process a lot easier and faster.
5 Ways to Remove Yellow Stains
From reading the causes, we can change our ways to avoid the yellow staining. As mentioned before, avoiding rubber shoes inside the house, being careful to read the label when buying a rubber mat, or averting it altogether, and taking care with the adhesive when installing the vinyl tiles can buy you a long time before the yellow stains show up.
If, by any chance, you regret not knowing all these tips before, this section will provide you with five ways to remove the yellow stain. These are useful when you cannot find a vinyl floor cleaner that retails for under twenty dollars.
1. Baking Soda
Starting easy with an accessible item that may be found in your pantry; baking soda. Many eco-friendly cleaners use baking soda and vinegar to remove stains and other stubborn marks. Sprinkle some baking soda onto the stained portion of your vinyl floor. Let it rest for some time; fifteen to twenty minutes is a good mark. Then take a damp cloth to wipe off the baking soda along with the stains.
2. Lemon and Baking Soda
If the previous method failed, this slightly stronger cleaning option might do the trick. Still sticking to a homemade and eco-friendly solution, this method involves mixing four tablespoons of lemon juice with two tablespoons of baking soda. The result will be a paste that you can pat on to the stained area and leave for the same time as above. Same as before, wipe this away with a wet cloth.
3. Rubbing Alcohol or Nail Polish Remover
Moving away from homemade solutions but still keeping it on the mild side of the spectrum, this tip uses rubbing alcohol or nail polish removers containing acetone. Using the same methods mentioned earlier, you can pour the solution onto the stain and leave it for a good period. Then wipe it away with a cloth.
4. Bleach
Is the stain still being stubborn? Bleach is known for its strength when it comes to removing persistent smudges. Mix bleach and water in a 1:3 ratio; keep in mind the size of the floor you need to clean. Wear protective gloves and dip a cloth into your bleach solution. Now scrub away the vinyl floor with the yellow stain.
5. Paint Thinner or Mineral Spirit
Commonly known as paint thinner, the mineral spirit is used generally by painters to eliminate the dried and built-up paint from paintbrushes. The robust solution is also aimed to remove stains and varnished coatings. Pour the spirit into a spray bottle to spray the solution directly onto the stained area, then rub the stain off with a cloth. A good trick is to shift to a new fabric when you notice no more stain is coming off. In the case of kids or pets in the house, you can use odorless mineral spirits.
Regular Cleaning Routine to Minimize the Risk of Stains
After doing a deep clean to remove the stain, it can be helpful to have a regular cleaning regime. Apart from the rubber and adhesive tips mentioned before, having a timely cleaning schedule will save you from going through the same disaster again.
Most of us only vacuum when it comes to cleaning our homes. An extra step of mopping the floor with a few drops of dishwashing liquid can help a lot when it comes to avoiding stains. Remember to stay away from cleaning solutions that are coarse and contain varnish, oil, or wax. You can additionally move your rugs and furniture periodically to spot a stain in its early stage when it is easier to remove.
Another good trick is to try and block areas from where dirt is coming in. You can do so by creating a low step at the doorway or putting a slightly tall mat. The guests can keep their shoes outside to keep your house clean. Dirt seeping in can create a build-up and cause friction to harm your vinyl tiles. You can also use a polish to seal off your vinyl to protect it from all these issues.
Final Words
So there we have it, some tips and tricks to get yellow stains off your vinyl floors. We know how much the floor matters when making your house look new and welcoming. A stain can give the room a nasty look and ruin the aesthetic. We hope this written piece gave you the information needed to get that stubborn stain off.