The Daily Fix: Remove Scuff Marks from Linoleum Floors

Wipe away shoe marks and keep your kitchen floors looking flawless.

Linoleum is a classic flooring material made of a mixture of natural, raw ingredients, such as linseed oil (the primary ingredient), cork, resin, and limestone. Linoleum is not vinyl; that's a common misconception.

Like wallpaper, linoleum is one of those home materials that's making a comeback. It's durable, affordable, and attractive. (In my dream kitchen, I'd love to have a floor with eco-friendly Marmoleum tiles, likely in a shade of blue).

But one of the most complaints with linoleum is how easily the material can be marred by foot traffic. Here are a few simple tricks for removing scuff marks:

-- Wash away scuff marks by rubbing them with a sponge or soft brush (nothing abrasive) and a solution of dishwashing detergent and water.

-- Rub a pencil eraser over scuff marks and watch them disappear.

-- Use an old toothbrush and white gel toothpaste (the least abrasive kind) to remove scuffs.


Now that your floor is scuff-free, here's how keep your linoleum clean:

-- If you have an unwaxed linoleum floor, use a pH-neutral all-purpose cleaner mixed with warm water. Use a microfiber mop, like Method's OMop, with your solution to clean away grime.

-- If you have a waxed linoleum floor, be sure to wipe up spills right away with a damp cloth. Use a soft cloth to buff the area. To clean, use a mop that's only slightly damp and wash gently to remove grime. The wax surface is not watertight, so too much liquid can damage the surface. Linoleum floors use an acrylic wax that should be reapplied when they start looking dull, about every six months.