LINOLEUM FLOORING – GENERAL UPKEEP

Genuine linoleum Flooring is a unique material with maintenance characteristics similar to wood. It is tough and durable but susceptible to moisture and alkalinity. In order to produce its best appearance and to protect it from dirt and excess moisture, linoleum should be cleaned and polished with products intended for use on genuine linoleum flooring. Armstrong offers three products specifically designed to maintain residential linoleum, Armstrong Genuine Linoleum Floor Cleaner, Armstrong Genuine Linoleum Floor Polish, and Armstrong Genuine Linoleum Floor Stripper.

A new linoleum floor will require a minimum of three coats of Armstrong Genuine Linoleum Floor Polish for adequate protection.  Apply the Linoleum Floor Polish in accordance with the instructions below.

FLOOR CLEANING INSTRUCTIONS
Genuine Linoleum Floor Cleaner
Specially Developed for Armstrong Genuine Linoleum Floors

Note: Do not use strong alkaline cleaners, such as Armstrong New Beginning Vinyl Floor Cleaner and Stripper, on a linoleum floor.  It will remove the polish and can damage the linoleum floor.

Regular Cleaning
Sweep or vacuum floor thoroughly
Mix 1/4 cup of Armstrong Genuine Linoleum cleaner per gallon of COOL water
Wash with lightly dampened mop
Change cleaning solution frequently
Allow floor to dry

Heavier Cleaning
Sweep or vacuum floor thoroughly
Mix 1/4 cup of Armstrong Genuine Linoleum cleaner per gallon of COOL water
Scrub with wet mop, then damp mop scrubbed area
Allow floor to dry

Cleaning Before Polishing
Follow instructions above
Rinse entire floor with clean water
Apply polish according to instructions

WARNING!
EYE AND SKIN IRRITANT
contains Glycol Ether

FLOOR STRIPPING INSTRUCTIONS

Genuine Linoleum Floor Stripper
Specially Developed for Armstrong Genuine Linoleum Floors

Floor Prep

Sweep or vacuum floor thoroughly
Mix 1 cup of Armstrong genuine linoleum stripper per each gallon of COOL water
Do NOT use at full strength

Stripping the Floor

Liberally apply the Armstrong genuine linoleum stripper solution to area 3-4 feet square, let soak 3 minutes
Scrub vigorously with scrub brush or nylon pad
Mop up solution from floor
Apply clean rinse water with clean mop
Mop up rinse water
Repeat process until entire floor is stripped and rinsed
Change stripping solution and rinse water often
Allow floor to dry thoroughly
Floor should appear uniformly dull

Repolishing the Floor

Apply 2-3 coats floor polish with a clean damp mop
Apply polish in areas 3-4 square feet (do not pour on floor)
Let dry at least 30 minutes between coats
Allow final coat at least 60 minutes to dry
Do not use stripper on a new floor

WARNING!
EYE AND SKIN IRRITANT
HARMFUL IF SWALLOWED
contains Glycol Ether

FLOOR POLISHING INSTRUCTIONS

Genuine Linoleum Floor Polish
Specially Developed for Armstrong Genuine Linoleum Floors

Floor Prep

Sweep or vacuum floor thoroughly
Follow instructions to clean or strip floor
Rinse thoroughly with clean water
Allow floor to dry
Do not strip a new floor

Polishing a New or Stripped Floor

Wait 2 to 3 days after installation before polishing
Apply 2-3 coats polish with a clean damp mop (do not pour on floor)
Apply polish in areas 3-4 feet square
Let dry at least 30 minutes between coats
Allow final coat at least 60 minutes to dry

Repolishing a Floor

Apply 1-2 coats floor polish as appearance dictates
Apply polish in areas 3-4 square feet (do not pour on floor)
Let dry at least 30 minutes between coats
Allow final coat at least 60 minutes to dry

Polishing Genuine Linoleum

Without polish, a genuine linoleum floor appears faded and dull and is more susceptible to soiling, staining, and permanent damage.  The Armstrong Genuine Linoleum Polish will be easy to apply and provide full protection from traffic and spills.

Instructions for Polishing a Linoleum floor

·          Pour the Armstrong Genuine Linoleum Floor Polish into a clean bucket.  Never pour polish directly onto the floor.  It produces negative side effects, such as, uneven gloss appearance caused by a higher gloss where the polish was poured, and streaking caused by softening of the previous coats of polish.

·          Use a clean applicator that has been dampened with clean water.  A clean sponge mop is a common choice for polish application.  Some people prefer to apply polish with a hand held sponge or cloth.

·          Dip the applicator into the polish in the bucket, then, wring it out approximately half way.

·          With light pressure, wipe the applicator across an area 3-4 feet square using simple straight motions.  Try not to go over the same spot more than once or twice.  Rubbing back and forth over the same spot too often can cause the previous layers of polish to soften and develop marks that look like paint brush strokes.  The marks will not go away and will be plainly visible when the polish dries.  The only way to eliminate such streaks is to strip the polish and start over again.  Proper application of a coat of polish will appear uniformly wet, but not puddled.

·          Adequate drying time is also very important.  Never allow less than 30 minutes of drying time for each coat of polish.  If the floor being polished is located in an area of high humidity or if the current weather conditions exhibit high humidity, the polish will take substantially longer to dry.

·          Wait at least 60 minutes before allowing foot traffic on the newly polished floor and allow 24 hours for the polish to reach maximum toughness.

WARNING!
EYE AND SKIN IRRITANT
HARMFUL IF SWALLOWED
Contains Dipropyl Glycol Methyl Ether

About Linoleum

Genuine linoleum is the original sheet flooring material, first patented by Englishman Frederick Walton in 1863. Although some people still call all sheet floors "linoleum," the real thing is quite different from the vinyl floors that gradually replaced them a century later. Its name derives from the main ingredient, linseed oil. (In Latin, linum is the word for linseed, which comes from the flax plant, and oleum means oil.) The oil is boiled, mixed with melted resins, and combined with powdered cork, wood flour, resins, ground limestone, and other natural materials. Mineral pigments provide the color. This mixture is formed into a durable sheet by applying heat and pressure.

Today, genuine linoleum is manufactured only in Europe and is imported into the United States. Recently it has enjoyed resurgence in popularity among homeowners because of its natural look and physical properties. Genuine linoleum is quiet and comfortable underfoot and contains no synthetic chemicals. The antistatic surface rejects dust and makes it ideal for rooms with electronic equipment.

Sizes
Genuine linoleum is primarily available in roll form, approximately 6'6" wide in lengths up to 98 feet long. Some manufacturers also provide linoleum in the form of large squares to make it easier to create custom floor designs using more than one color. Linoleum squares measure 18.9" x 18.9".

Styles
In the '30s and '40s, linoleum was created in a great variety of designs; many embossed to resemble other types of floorings, such as ceramic, slate, and marble. Today's linoleum visuals offer overall effects that provide a more neutral background for decorating.

Durability
Genuine linoleum is extremely long-wearing, and some have observed that it actually gets stronger with age as the linseed oil oxidizes.

Maintenance & Care
The linoleum surface is more porous than vinyl floors, so it's important to protect it with a high-quality polish, such as Armstrong S-480 Floor Polish. This will prevent spills or dirt from penetrating and staining the surface and will add an attractive low-level gloss. Two thin, even coats should be applied initially. Add an additional layer for a higher gloss. The floor should be cleaned regularly using a neutral detergent solution such as Armstrong S-485 Floor Cleaner or Armstrong Floor Cleaner diluted to ¼ cup per gallon of water. Because linoleum is made of natural materials, the use of harsh alkalis or high pH products such as ammonia should be avoided. From time to time, it's a good idea to re-apply two thin coats of the floor polish; to avoid polish buildup, don't over-apply to areas that are not walked on, such as along the walls.

Linoleum floors are known to "bloom." Bloom is the term given to the minor color adjustments linoleum flooring makes when exposed to light. It turns its true color. Because genuine linoleum is made from natural raw materials, oxidation of the linseed oil in your floor may result in a yellowish cast when not exposed to light (under the range, rug or refrigerator, etc.). This visual discoloration is only temporary. Once exposed to light, the yellowing disappears and your genuine linoleum floor will "bloom" again.

Installation: Do-It-Yourself -- Or Not?
Professional installation in recommended for all linoleum floors, since they are less flexible than vinyl and sheet installations and will probably have seams that should be sealed. Linoleum is not recommended for use in bathrooms.