Beverly asked: How do I remove the yellow stain that is under the throw rugs in my bathroom? The flooring is linoleum.
Table of Contents:
Linoleum flooring is made from raw materials, including linseed oil. When this oil is blocked from the sunlight it begins to oxidize and can change colors. The continual covering of floor mats and rugs can hasten this process. In many cases, it is possible to remove these stains with a few simple steps. Here are two different methods to use.
Sunlight Method
You Will Need:
- Sunlight
Steps to Remove the Yellow Stains:
- Since the lack of light is what causes the problem, the easiest way to remove them is to introduce light to the area.
- Remove the rugs and allow the yellowed areas some time in the sunlight/daylight.
- The length of exposure time will depend largely on how long the areas have been covered and how yellowed the areas have become.
- Once the yellowed areas have reached the same coloring as the rest of the floor, continue to remove the rugs periodically to allow light to the covered areas.
Baking Soda Method
You Will Need:
- Baking soda
- Water
- Soft cloth
Steps to Remove the Yellow Stains:
- Begin by removing the rugs and sweeping away any dirt from the area.
- Next, wet the entire area with plain water.
- Sprinkle baking soda over the yellowed area and allow it to set for at least 10-15 minutes.
- Use a soft cloth to wipe the baking soda away.
- It may take several applications to remove the yellow areas if they are deeply discolored.
- Once the stain is gone, continue to clean the area with baking soda during weekly cleanings to keep the yellow stains from returning.
Additional Tips and Ideas
- Though many still call it linoleum, modern “linoleum” is actually vinyl flooring. The preservative materials that keep the rubber backing on the floor mats from becoming dry and brittle can also cause a chemical reaction with the vinyl, leaving yellowed or discolored areas on the floor. Depending on the severity, the methods above may help, but often the stains caused from this reaction are impossible to reverse.
- To prevent stains from occurring, check the labels on the any floor rugs to ensure that they are non-staining to vinyl floors.
Thank you so much for the tips. I’m sure there are many of us out there that have this problem. Now the stains can be removed. My other solution is to just keep the floors bare until company arrives, and then put them back down. It also saves on the wear and tear of my “special” rugs! Thanks for having such a great website. I tell everyone about it!!!
Let me know how these methods work for you.
Where would you find this type of mat and what is the backing of the mats?
Yes, I did this too! Looking for relief. Thank you for all the ideas and I will try to remedy my problem, and get back with the results. Since I found this issue when I lifted my rug, I have purchased the “spa rugs” thick and soft to the feet. No backing. and I only put them on the floor when I need them. I won’t be replacing my flooring anytime soon, so this will have to do.
I saw rug labels that said “non-staining, fade resistant”. Does that mean the floor discolors or the rug won’t fade or stain? It didn’t elaborate. What type of backing do I look for?
I have a old dog, and I just found a place on my white, linoleum floor where I previously had a rug with a rubber back, that he had peed on when the rug was there, and now it has turned my floor yellow. I can’t get it off, can you help?