Floor cleaner?

[SRL]

Any suggestions for an older linoleum floor that needs a really deep cleaning? I've got some Armstrong no rinse cleaner on hand but it's not cutting it.

[mom_in_training]

I used to wash my linoleum floors with diluted bleach and water. I have also found that the industrial strenght 409 cleaner works well with a greasy stove and other cleaning jobs but not to sure if it will damage the finish on your floor but have found it to be really good for cleaning. Might want to do a lil test spot with the 409 though if you try it.

[I'm Hangin' on by a Thread]

TSP (Tri Sodium Phosphate) if you can get it. It's banned in some states because it's not too good for the environment. It's what used to be in [censored] and Span and it will cut any kind of dirt without hurting the linoleum. It's a powder detergent that you mix with water and it is sold in hardware stores. It's wonderful stuff - if you can find it. (Use gloves if you have sensitive skin.)

I used it when my exH bought us a filthy, roach infested house in Tennessee. The kitchen floor was BLACK with acummulated yuck and nothing I used would make a dent. My Dad reccommended the TSP and it worked like a charm.

Good luck,

Amy

[totoro]

I have hand scrubbed my old linoleum floors with those Mr. Clean Magic Erasers... they were the only thing that would do the job!!! Pain in the @#$ but it got the job done!!!
Or else oxyclean??? Or Simple Green??? Maybe
Good Luck

[crazymama30]

I second the tsp, look for it at home improvement stores. Sometimes near the paint, as some people use it to clean the walls before painting.

[Ltlredhen]

They make a "fake" TSP also.

Donna

[donna723]

My vinyl kitchen floor is only a few years old but it's light-colored and has a texture to it. NOTHING would get the dirt off the high traffic areas and the places like around the dog bowls and in front of the stove. So I was another one that ended up on my hands and knees, crawling around the kitchen floor with the Magic Eraser! It worked but it's a HUGE amount of work!
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I never heard of this TSP stuff, but I'll be looking for it if it works!

[SRL]

Thanks everyone. Those Magic Erasers are wonderful but they sure don't hold up through the job. Donna, this is also a light floor with texture so it's a pain.

Years ago I used Bon Ami and a lot of elbow grease and it cleaned it up but I was hoping for something easier on my carpel tunel hands and creaky knees.

[SRL]

Update-I tried a number of products including the fake TSP and nothing really cut the dirt until I grabbed something from under my cupboard called Zep Commercial Citrus Cleaner and Degreaser. I'd found it at Home Depot and hadn't really got around to using it on anything but this stuff cut through the grimy stuff with a fraction of the effort. I sprayed it on the really tough spots and let sit for a minute before rinsing well with hot water then I did the whole floor with a diluted solution which I changed often. Afterwards rinsed well and swabbed with towels. Don't get me wrong--it's still work and after washing and waxing the kitchen floor today my carpel tunnel is wild--but it beat using a scrubber and/or scouring powder and going square by square.

[timer lady]

I've been watching this thread closely - SRL, I've got the same flooring issues you do. Very old floor with some ground in spots.

Thanks for the info.