Details for Marmoleum Care

Initial Care Following Installation:

Your attitude... Caring for Marmoleum flooring is important if you want it to keep its natural beauty and durability. Marmoleum flooring can last from decades with proper care. Here are some cleaning tips to keep your Marmoleum flooring as good as new.
Remove loose soil and grit by sweeping, dust mopping or, preferably, vacuuming the floor. Micro-fiber dusters are also recommended.
Dilute 1 ounce (3 capfuls) of Marmoleum Concentrated Floor Cleaner in 1 gallon of clean water. Note: Marmoleum is made from natural raw materials. The use of harsh alkalis or high pH cleaners (such as Ammonia or similar products) may damage Marmoleum and should be avoided.
Apply the cleaning solution with a mop or sponge. Do not flood the floor or use too much water.
Pick up any soil and excess cleaner with a clean mop or cloth. When mopping, rinse the mop frequently and change the solution as needed.
A non-abrasive nylon scrubbing pad can be used for cleaning small stubborn spots. For larger areas of stubborn soil, a long handled, soft bristled nylon scrub brush is ideal.
Rinse the floor with a clean, damp mop.
Allow the floor to thoroughly dry before allowing traffic.

Regular Care

Sweep, dust mop, damp mop and/or vacuum as needed. For ingrained dirt, a scrubbing sponge (non-abrasive) or nylon brush is ideal. When damp mopping, always follow with a clean water rinse and allow the floor to thoroughly dry before allowing traffic. When light cleaning no longer produces the desired results, repeat the recommendations for Initial Care

Spots & Spills

Act quickly.
Blot as much as possible or carefully scrape dried spills with a plastic scraper.
Mop with diluted Marmoleum Cleaner.
Damp mop with clean water.
Repeat steps 3 & 4 if necessary.
If the stain persists, as it may with glue, varnish, paint, ink, tar, cosmetics, shoe polish, some wines, coffee and some other substances, the solution is to remove the surface finish and the stain with it. Apply undiluted Marmoleum cleaner to the stained area and leave in contact with the floor for 2–3 minutes. Rub with a nylon kitchen pad and then rinse with clean water. Repeat if necessary. Once the floor is dry, apply a small amount of finish in the affected area to restore the gloss.

Restorative Care

In case of accidental damage to the Topshield top layer, excessive wear or a desire for additional gloss, the following steps can be taken:

Remove loose soil and grit by sweeping, dust mopping or, preferably, vacuuming the floor. Micro-fiber dusters are also recommended.
Apply a neutral pH stripper to the floor per manufacturer's guidelines. Note: Marmoleum is made from natural raw materials. The use of harsh alkalis or high pH cleaners (such as Ammonia or similar products) may damage Marmoleum and should be avoided.
Pick up any soil and excess stripper with a clean mop or cloth. Rinse the mop or cloth frequently and change the water as needed.
A non-abrasive nylon scrubbing pad can be used for cleaning small stubborn spots. For larger areas of stubborn soil, a long handled, soft bristled nylon scrub brush is ideal.
Repeat steps 2 through 4 if necessary.
Rinse the floor with a clean damp mop.
Allow the floor to dry thoroughly.
Evenly apply two thin coats of Marmoleum Floor Finish using a clean, lint-free cloth, or a micro-fiber mop applicator. If using the same mop that was used for cleaning, it must be thoroughly rinsed and clean. The finish should be applied liberally enough to avoid creating “dry spots” or streaks, but no more. Evenly applied thin coats will produce better results than one thick coat.
Allow a minimum of 45 minutes drying time between coats.
Additional coats may be applied if a higher gloss level is desired. Do not apply more than 4 coats in one day. Please note that following regular cleaning recommendations on an as needed basis will significantly reduce, and in most cases eliminate, the need for more aggressive floor care procedures.

Regular Maintenance

Regular care for Marmoleum flooring includes the following: sweeping and vacuuming on a regular basis, mopping with a slightly damp mop and air drying spots or spills on your Marmoleum flooring. You have to remember that too much water on your Marmoleum flooring is not advisable. You can also use specific Marmoleum cleaners, just make sure that you will follow all the manufacturer’s instructions.

Cleaning discolored and older Marmoleum Flooring

If your Marmoleum flooring becomes discolored sue to age, there are some remedies that you can employ to restore the natural beauty and quality of the Marmoleum flooring.
The first thing to do is remove all the dirt and dust by vacuuming or sweeping the Marmoleum flooring. Using a wax stripper is also a good idea, followed by brushing with a good scrub brush.

Cleaning between the Grooves

Another area in Marmoleum flooring that needs proper cleaning are the grooves between Marmoleum tiles. Some of the grooves are deep making it an ideal place for bacteria and dirt to accumulate so you have to make sure that you don’t forget cleaning this part too. Take a small Nylon brush, dip it in warm water, add a little detergent which is not too strong and then proceed in brushing the groves. After this, you can remove the remaining residue with a clean, dry towel.

Other Quick Fixes

If your Marmoleum flooring has black marks from heels, you can spray a little WD40 on a clean towel and rub it directly in the spot. After this, you can rinse the area with water.
If you spill something on your Marmoleum flooring, make sure that you wipe it immediately, leaving no traces of liquid behind.
If you want to apply polish to the Marmoleum flooring, you need to clean it first.  Mats and rugs are a good idea especially if you want to eliminate the dirt and dust coming in from the outside.
If you have heavy furniture or equipment, you can use furniture caps so that it won’t scratch your Marmoleum flooring, carpets will also provide the same benefit.