Due to its durability, linoleum is a popular flooring material used in office buildings, healthcare, and education, because it is made with natural ingredients such as linseed oil, rosin binders, wood flour, etc., making it a “green” flooring solution. It is also homogeneous, which means it is the same color all the way through, so when it scratches, it is less noticeable and can be repaired more easily. As with any surface, the floors need regular upkeep to prevent premature wear. To take better care of linoleum floors, here are a few do’s and don’ts to follow.

Do:

Use furniture caps.

Heavy desks, chairs, and additional office furniture can leave scratches, nicks, and other impressions in the linoleum. To protect the surfaces from damage, place caps on the bottom of furniture legs. You can also put down carpeting or rugs to prevent heavy equipment from making contact with the hard surface underneath. 

Place mats near building entrances OR invest in entrance carpet tile for vestibules.

From water to mud and leaves, people can track all sorts of grime on linoleum flooring on the soles of their shoes. In addition to cleaning the surfaces, you should also place mats at entrances to the building. The fibers will catch and trap gunk on the bottom of shoes, minimizing the amount of grime that has to be mopped up later. 

Don’t:

Use ammonia-based cleaners. 

For daily cleaning, use a dry, microfiber mop to wipe up dirt and additional residue. When you need to remove stuck-on grime, avoid ammonia-based cleaners. The harsh chemical could strip away the finish. Instead, use a neutral pH cleaning solution or solutions specifically formulated for cleaning linoleum. 

Use too much water.

When you wash floors, avoid soaking the surfaces with too much water. Ring out the mop before using it on the floor. Otherwise, excessive moisture could deteriorate the adhesive securing the tiles to the subfloor underneath. Corners could curl as a result, creating safety hazards.

If your linoleum floors have fallen into disrepair, the technicians at CFS Interiors and Flooring in Eagan, MN, will outfit your space with new surfaces. The team has over 20 years of experience installing linoleum flooring, as well as LVT, carpet, and ceramic tile, to boost the functionality, safety, and value of commercial buildings in the Twin Cities area. To schedule a flooring installation, call (651) 681-8100, or visit them online to learn more about their products.