How to Get Stains Out of Linoleum Countertops

Are you confused about how to get stains out of linoleum countertops without destroying them? Laminate countertops are experiencing a comeback thanks to a flurry of new products. Many merchants offer exquisite choices that appear just as stunning as actual stone but are far less costly. Laminate countertops are available in various styles and colors, making them ideal for any kitchen.

Perhaps most importantly, laminate is one of the simplest countertop surfaces to keep clean, especially if you know how to remove stains from laminate countertops. While generally more durable than countertop materials like wood or marble, the laminate coating is not indestructible but is made to withstand daily use.

One of the crucial things to keep in mind while getting stains out of linoleum countertops is to avoid abrasive brushes, hard scouring pads, and steel wool. The transparent top layer of the laminate gets scuffed over time by rough sponges and brushes. Discover how to clean laminate with DIY remedies to ensure your countertops last.

How to Remove Stains From Laminate Countertops

Don’t worry if you’re unsure how to get stains out of linoleum countertops. Linoleum or laminate countertops are straightforward to clean with a bit of knowledge and the appropriate tools.

Follow these handy cleaning tricks for getting stains out of linoleum countertops using dish soap, baking soda, white vinegar, apple cider vinegar, and Murphy Oil Soap.

What Is a Laminate Surface?

Laminate hit the market in the 1970s but only became widely popular among homeowners in the early 2000s. Its ability to mimic more expensive products without the added cost was a big hit among DIYers eager to install granite countertops without a granite countertop budget.

Besides being cheaper, laminate countertops are easier to acquire and install. No wonder laminate became a household staple – but what exactly is it? Laminate is essentially a composite product made of three parts.

The first part is usually durable particle board. The second layer is the image layer, crafted to imitate other hardwood, granite, or quartz materials. The top wear-resistant layer helps protect your countertop from liquids, scratches, and everyday traffic.

Put it together, and you have a lighter, more cost-efficient countertop without missing the glamor that comes with expensive materials.

Cleaning your kitchen countertop, whether linoleum, granite, or quartz, is essential.

How to Get Stains Out of Linoleum Countertops

Life happens, and stains do, too. If you were scratching your head over how to clean grease stains off laminate countertops, it might not have occurred to you the answer was close at hand. For most of us, dish soap is a permanent fixture on the kitchen sink.

Besides being handy for dishwashing, it makes an excellent degreaser and cleanser for a tough stain on your laminate counter. Dish soap is perfect for countertops since it’s mild soap that won’t damage the top wear-resistant layer of laminate.

The two active ingredients in dish soaps are surfactants and detergent, making dish soap effective against grimy buildup and stains.

To remove a spot, create a solution of warm, clean water and dish soap in a small bucket. Dip a microfiber cloth into the dish soap cleaner, and scrub the stain liberally until it lifts. Wipe with a dry cloth between each pass.

Getting Stains Out of Linoleum Countertops

If you don’t have dish soap to spare, baking soda will remove dark spots when red food coloring stains the countertop. Since baking soda is a moderate alkali, it causes grease and grime to dissolve in water for efficient cleanup.

When not dissolved in water, its granular particles are gently abrasive for lifting dirt without degrading the surface below, such as when sprinkled on a moist sponge or clean cloth. Baking soda is a gentle cleaner that works well on glass, steel, enamel, linoleum, laminate, and plastic, and it’s non-toxic compared to commercial cleaners.

It is a pure, natural product safe to eat, so it’s perfect for cleaning surfaces used in food preparation and is safe to use around children and pets. Use baking soda to clean your home’s laminate counters, cupboards, and even a stubborn tea stain without ruining appliances or kitchen surfaces.

Removing Stains From Laminate Countertops

Hard water stains are a prevalent problem in most kitchens and bathrooms, especially around the sink and drainage areas. Water out of high-pressure spouts can splash further than the proximity of the sink, putting your counters at risk if these spills go unnoticed.

Grab a bottle of distilled white vinegar and a soft cloth if you discover a rust stain on your linoleum countertop or floor. This is the easiest linoleum floor cleaner recipe to make. Combined with water, white vinegar is a fantastic cleaner because vinegar is acidic. The acids help break down dried-on and compacted grime, making the stubborn stain next to your sink a thing of the past.

Use white vinegar to clean laminate countertops by combining it with clean, warm water. Mix one part white distilled vinegar with ten parts water. Consider using additional white vinegar if your stain is particularly stubborn.

Apply it to a bristle brush or a sponge, and scrub the discolored patch until the filth wipes away. Rinse the counter with pure water to clear the potent odor white vinegar leaves behind.

Apple Cider Vinegar Counter Cleaner

When white vinegar is in short supply, the next best alternative is apple cider vinegar. Mimicking the effects of white vinegar because of its acidity, apple cider vinegar combines with a few other household ingredients to make an effective countertop cleaner without sending you to the grocery store for a white vinegar restock.

Select an essential oil based on your preferences to make a quick solution to keep quartz countertops clean. Popular scents include lavender or citrus because they are fresh and vibrant. Some oils, such as tea tree, have antibacterial qualities to clean and disinfect your counters and leave a lovely scent behind.

Siphon all ingredients into the spray bottle and shake vigorously. Spray the mixture directly onto the counter or apply it with a soft cloth. Your surface looks polished and smells good after the first application.

Murphy Oil Soap Can Clean Countertops

If you’re hesitant to commit to a harsh chemical cleaner, scrubbing stains off vinyl countertops is a breeze with Murphy Oil Soap. This soap is manufactured to gently and effectively clean and lubricate wood surfaces without damaging the sealant, so it also works as a solution for laminate countertops.

This product contains no bleach or ammonia, perfect for your next counter-cleaning project. Use the Murphy Oil Soap following the manufacturer’s directions to clean your counter.

Commercial Products Clean Laminate Countertops

Selecting a commercial cleaning product for your linoleum or laminate countertops based on the ingredients listed on the label. They should be thoroughly examined before purchase, as bleach is hazardous to manufactured finishes. However, in small amounts or significantly diluted, commercial products help out in a pinch.

To fix stains on white laminate countertops without damaging the surface, mix the commercial cleaner you choose with clean water and apply as the label directs.

What to Avoid on a Laminate Countertop

Laminate countertops are finished with a water-resistant protective layer to hold up to everyday traffic. However, harsh chemical cleaners and hard-bristle brushes pose a risk to even the best quality laminate finish. Once you know what works on your laminate countertops, you must learn what products to avoid.

Oven cleaners are marketed as ‘heavy-duty’ cleaners as they usually contain a combination of corrosive chemicals, like caustic soda and ethers. While caustic soda works wonders on your oven, this highly corrosive chemical strips the finish on your laminate countertop, sometimes beyond repair.

Steel wool must also be avoided for its risk to your countertop’s finish. The tightly coiled metal tendrils are too rough to use on a surface like kitchen countertops, so consider a slightly softer bristled brush instead.

Commercial cleaners with added bleach should be the vigilant DIYer’s last resort. These store-bought cleaners might come in handy for projects like an oven, where the metal is at no risk of suffering the effects of bleach, yet laminate isn’t as resistant to harsh chemicals. There’s no appeal in a bleach stain on your linoleum kitchen countertops.

Did you learn how to remove stains from laminate countertops? Keeping your kitchen tidy and sanitary is crucial for good food hygiene and a visually appealing cooking area.

Linoleum countertops are an excellent addition to the kitchen if you’re on a budget or want the look of natural wood without the upkeep. Find out how to clean your laminate countertops using products you already have around the house to save money and time and keep your laminate in optimum condition.

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