How can I whiten yellowing vinyl flooring?
by
1cs1267
+6
I have vinyl flooring in my guest bath and utility room. It is about 15 years old. It is white with a small black diamond centered in each square. Over the years, the white has aged and turned a somewhat yellowish/old color. Is there a way to whiten it up, even just a bit? Thanks.
Related Discussions
Suggested Project Book
Have you waxed your floor over the years to keep it shiny looking? If so, that may be why it looks yellow--apart from the age of the floor. You can try cleaning it with ammonia and warm water. STINKY< STINKY< STINKY but an effective cleaner. You may have to get down on your hands and knees with a scrub brush if there is texture on your flooring. I would also add a drop or two of dishsoap.
No, this was a "waxless" vinyl flooring, simply mop it with soap and water. I have used windex on it before (!) and saw just barely an improvement. Perhaps I shall try real full strength ammonia mixed with warm water and a touch of Dawn liquid dish soap. Thanks.
I grew up with vinyl flooring and we would always use a large scrubbing machine to really clean them which helped whiten them up. Since then I have picked one up and I use on tile as well. I have a very old one but it works so well... I love it! Something like this....
https://www.amazon.com/Gloss-Floor-Scrubber-Polisher-B200752/dp/B00063KZBA/ref=sr_1_5?crid=P5CV392AFOH2&keywords=floor+scrubber&qid=1554815451&s=gateway&sprefix=floor+scrub%2Caps%2C154&sr=8-5
You will get a great scrub and you don't have to scrub on your hands and knees! It works great on old linoleum floors. Use with something like soft scrub(that contains bleach) to see if you can whiten them up.
I am wondering if Oxi Clean might make a miracle here too!
https://www.hunker.com/13421853/how-to-clean-floors-with-oxiclean
check that pin https://www.pinterest.com/pin/571183165224987917/
If you can’t get it clean, you could try painting your floor: https://www.viewalongtheway.com/2013/01/how-to-paint-vinyl-or-laminate-flooring/
you can buy a product called once and done (home depot carries it) you want the floor cleaner and stripper and then once it is stipped and rinsed, let it dry and apply the floor finish. This works great and I have used it for years in my cleaning business
It most likely will have to be replaced. Over time the wear and tear breaks the surface down and it yellows naturally. You got 15 good years out of it...much longer than normal.
A cup of hydrogen peroxide to a gallon of hot water. Stronger if that doesn’t do it. Peroxide is a whitener.