Lino, a floor covering that's both natural and lasting, is increasingly becoming the choice for many homeowners. This unique flooring material is composed of ingredients such as linseed oil, pine resin, wood flour, and cork powder.
Maintaining the Lino Floor
While lino is a durable material, proper care is needed to maintain its lustrous shine. Traditional cleaning solutions, often referred to as grandmother's tricks, are usually recommended for lino. It should be noted that due to lino's natural composition, it should not be cleaned with water. Instead, a slightly moist mop is the best tool for the job.
Natural Cleaning Solutions
There are a number of natural cleaning solutions that can be used safely on lino.
- Baking Soda: To use, dissolve 50g of baking soda in 2 liters of hot water. This solution can be used for general cleaning, or the baking soda can be sprinkled directly on stains prior to cleaning.
- Black Soap: Perfect for degreasing lino. Use by diluting in hot water, then mopping thoroughly. It's advisable to rinse with clean water and if possible, dry with a microfiber cloth.
- Soda Crystals: These are ideal for eliminating wax buildup. Mix a cup of soda crystals in 1 litre of hot water and clean using a mop.
- White Vinegar and Lemon: An excellent combination for disinfecting and degreasing. Mix a cup of white vinegar in a bucket of hot water. For stubborn stains, a few drops of lemon juice can be added. A touch of essential oil will provide a pleasant scent.
Restoring Shine to your Lino Floor
When it comes to bringing back the shine to worn areas, Linseed Oil is an ideal solution. It should be applied directly and buffed with a cloth in circular motions. Another unexpected but effective way to add shine to lino is egg yolk. Simply mix one egg yolk into 1 litre of warm water and clean with a soft cloth. Allow this mix to dry for maximum effect.
Precautions
For the preservation of your lino, it's best to avoid using bleach, acetone, and ammonia. Also, if you have skin sensitivity to any of the products mentioned, using gloves is highly recommended.
Lastly, the acetic acid present in vinegar carries strong antimicrobial properties, making it a great choice for keeping your lino germ-free.