How To Clean Tomato and Wine Stains from Vinyl Floors

Tomato and red wine stains won't dry and chemically bond with vinyl like some other spills, but they are heavily pigmented and may result in permanent stains if allowed to sit and harden, particularly on floors where the sealant has scuffed from wear and tear. Try to clean up tomato sauce and red wine stains promptly. For large spills like when a container tips or spills, pour flour on the spill to help contain it. You can also use salt or baking soda, but these are mildly abrasive so use caution when cleaning up the salt or baking soda/stain mixture to help prevent scratching or otherwise damaging your floor.

Following the removal of as much of the excess stain as possible, use a clean non-abrasive sponge dampened with water to apply a mild liquid dish soap to the remaining stain. Rub gently with the soapy sponge, rinse thoroughly with water and wipe dry with a clean dry cloth such as a soft dishtowel. If you use a paper towel, pat dry rather than rub to prevent scratching your floor.

For stubborn stains, apply hydrogen peroxide with a cotton ball. Blot gently to help remove the remaining stain. Hydrogen peroxide has a mild bleaching effect, and may bleach even light colored cloth (ex: dish towels, pot holders, aprons, clothing, etc). It may also affect darker tile. Use a clean sponge dampened with water to apply a mild dish soap such as ivory to remove the hydrogen peroxide. Rinse thoroughly with water and pat dry.

Caution: Do not use ammonia on vinyl floors as it is corrosive to vinyl. Never mix cleaning agents or chemicals, the result can be dangerous or deadly. Before cleaning, always test the agent on an inconspicuous location to determine its suitability and to make certain it does not damage the material. Wear appropriate clothing such as gloves and protective eyewear, and work in a well-ventilated area. Accidental inhalation or ingestion of cleaning agents can be hazardous and even fatal, particularly to pets and children.