How to clean linoleum kitchen floors? I'm open to ideas. Willing to try anything reasonable once.?
Moved into a house and the condition of the floor is bad, It is discolored and yellow in the heavy traffic areas. I used degreaser to remove the little black spots of oil on the floor but I cannot remove the dingy color on the linoleum. I wanted to tile it myself, but the land lord wants professionally done tiles, YEAH RIGHT They can't even clean the house before I got it, but they are demanding things they will not do for it go figure.
I have no problem buying 120 tiles and doing it myself but will not pay a contractor. I will be stuck in this house for the next 2 years
Need a solution from the wonderful people on this community. I hate dingy looking floors. Your invaluable help is appreciated. Thanks
2011-10-27T12:08:17Z
The landlord will not pay for any tiles or linoleum and I cannot deduct any moneys from rent. Rental contract stipulation. My husband rented this place. Will try all of your suggestions and see which works best. thanks
2011-10-27T12:10:24Z
I will have to hit the landlord's elbow with a sledge hammer to get him to fork over any improvements.
I am allergic to carpet thanks for that idea
Jaime2011-10-31T08:35:24Z
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Why not just put down peel and stick tiles? I realize your landlord won't pay for it, but they aren't that expensive. Why not just pay for it yourself? Peel and Stick tiles are about a dollar a tile. It would be worth it to have a pretty floor for the next 2 years.
Peel and stick are very easy to apply. Just make sure the first tile is perfectly aligned and the rest fall right into place. Start in the middle of the floor and use an existing line to line up the tile. Make sure you get the edges of the tiles pushed up to each other with no gaps. And make templates out of paper to cut any odd pieces.
You can even lay Peel and Stick tiles right on top of the existing floor.
Home Depot carries peel and stick tiles...and many look like real stone tiles.
The only disadvantage to Peel and Stick is that they are extremely hard to remove, but I doubt that would be an issue for many years.
I also doubt your landlord would charge you for an improvement. Just make sure you get a tile that's neutral enough that your landlord likes it. No flowers...stick with a stone-look, like one of these:
I once spilled 409 cleaner on the tile floor at my grandmothers house as a kid and the clean spot was there like ten years later. So try that first.
Otherwise, maybe clean it first with regular pine-sol and then tile it with the cheap linoleum sticky tiles that have glue on the back. Cheap and easy to do and come in many patterns.
If the floor is in bad shape, I suggest you take pictures first before you do the project so if the landlord tries to give you a hard time, you can prove it was actually an improvement that you paid for yourself (keep the receipt). Good luck!
Instead of tiles, why don't you ask the landlord for a new linoleum. Would be much cheaper and at least it would look good while you are there. Tell him if he wants you to get someone to do it, you will deduct the cost from your rent as it's his property being improved and you are having breathing difficulties due to the deteriorating current floor covering.
I'm assuming you're referring to the kitchen? I purchased some indoor-outdoor rugs and runners to cover the worst areas (the kind people use for patios.) They are so easy to clean and your eye is drawn to the rug and not the rest of the floor. If I get a little spot it cleans right up with a wet washcloth. Every so often I take them outside and hose them off and scrub a little with a brush and some Simple Green (biodegradable soap.) Lay them over something to let them dry for a few hours and they're good to go. Decorator's Supply Company has a great reasonable selection on line.