Let’s face it, no matter what type of flooring you have around your toilet, sooner or later, you will have the need to learn how to remove urine stains.
This most definitely includes all vinyl flooring, including linoleum.
These stains can show up for several different reasons.
When you’re “potty training” a little one, sometimes they simply miss.
Other times adults suffer from urinary incontinence, which is simply the loss of bladder control.
Urine stains on your linoleum are nothing to be ashamed of, and you shouldn’t worry because we have been in the same situation.
That’s why we did a little research and found out how to remove urine stains from linoleum.
What You’ll Need
White Distilled Vinegar
White distilled vinegar is an excellent tool for removing not only urine but many types of different stains.
Baking Soda
Baking soda is another product that you need to keep on hand at all times.
Most natural stain removal solutions will have either baking soda or vinegar and, many times, both.
If you need to order baking soda in bulk for future projects, click here.
Fork/Knife
Any simple fork or knife that you find in your kitchen will be used to mix the solution and apply it to the stain.
Plastic Wrap
You will need to use plastic wrap over the top of the cleaning solution for really tough stains to make it air-tight while it cooks out the stain.
Tape
You will use the tape to keep the plastic wrap sealed throughout the night for really set-in stains.
Scrub Brush
You will need a sturdy scrub brush to scrub the cleaning solution once it has set on the stain for the required amount of time.
If you need to buy one, we recommend the OXO Good Grips All-Purpose Scrub Brush.
It’s an Amazon best-seller and gets excellent reviews.
Water
Once the stain has been completely removed, you will use water mixed with vinegar to mop any remaining solution away.
Bleach
For those who have white linoleum, bleach is a much easier option that doesn’t require elbow grease.
If you decide to use bleach, we recommend using a strong, reputable product such as Clorox Performance Bleach with Cloromax.
Cleaning Cloth
You will need to have a clean cloth on hand if you decide to use the bleaching method.
How To Remove Urine Stains From Linoleum Video
Step By Step Instructions For How To Remove Urine Stains From Linoleum
#1. Add Vinegar
The very first thing you need to do is act as quickly as possible.
The faster you start this process once you have located a urine stain on the linoleum tile, the easier it will be to remove it.
Your first step is to add the appropriate amount of vinegar into any bowl.
There isn’t a set amount of how much vinegar should be added.
That depends on your urine stain size.
Obviously, the bigger the stain, the more vinegar you add.
Pro Tip: You are creating a paste with vinegar and baking soda so keep that in mind as you add the vinegar
Make sure that you use white distilled vinegar because it doesn’t contain any coloring agents.
Therefore it won’t add to your problem by creating another stain.
A great option is Lucy’s Family Owned – Natural Distilled White Vinegar.
It has excellent reviews on its cleaning prowess from customers on Amazon, plus they are a family-owned company.
#2. Add Baking Soda
Next, you’ll want to add the baking soda to the vinegar.
Again, depending on the stain’s size, you will decide how much baking soda to use.
When you add the baking soda, a chemical reaction will occur, making the solution fizz and bubble.
It’s ok; you haven’t done anything wrong.
Use your fork or knife to mix the baking soda and vinegar until you have created a paste.
See the video above for the exact consistency of the paste that you want to create.
#3. Apply The Paste
After you have the proper consistency paste, spread it over the stain, ensuring you cover it completely.
Please don’t be shy with the paste because you can’t use too much of it.
Pro Tip:
If you have a urine stain on your linoleum that has been there for several days or even longer, you can use plastic wrap and tape it over the paste so that it makes an airtight compartment.
Let it sit overnight, allow the vinegar and baking soda to cook out the stain, and proceed to step 4.
#4. Scrub The Stain Out
After the paste has been applied, use your scrub brush to remove the stain completely.
Make sure to scrub in a circular pattern because it’s more effective for removing the stain and not as harsh on the linoleum.
Once the stain is completely removed, mop your linoleum with a 1 part vinegar 2 part water solution to remove any extra stain-removal paste.
#5. Use Bleach (If Necessary)
If you have white linoleum and don’t mind the strong chemical smell of bleach, this is your method.
Soak a white cloth with the bleach and set it on top of the stain for 5-10 minutes or until the urine stain is completely removed.
NEVER pour bleach directly onto your linoleum floor.
Bleach is a high-pH detergent and, therefore, corrosive and can damage the flooring.
Questions About How To Remove Urine Stains From Linoleum
Can I pour bleach directly onto my linoleum floor?
No, NEVER pour bleach directly onto your linoleum floor.
Bleach is a high-pH detergent and, therefore, corrosive and can damage the flooring.
The best cleaners are the ph-neutral ones like we described above.
Can I mix bleach with vinegar to create a stronger cleaning solution?
Please, NEVER mix bleach with vinegar.
Using one or the other is fine, but if you mix them, it will create a toxic chlorine gas that is potentially harmful if you breathe it.
Conclusion
We hope you have enjoyed learning how to remove urine stains from linoleum.
This process is not as hard as you might have originally thought.
Following the video and steps above will ensure that you never have to worry about urine stains on your linoleum again.
