How to Clean Vinyl Using Mineral Oil

Among household surfaces, vinyl floorings are quite common. Vinyl surfaces offer the comfort of easy maintenance and overall affordability. Many people use abrasive cleaners containing potent chemical solutions for cleaning vinyl. However, such chemicals can permanently discolor the vinyl surface apart from compromising its structural integrity. In this regard, the utility of mineral oil should be understood. Unlike commercial cleaners, it is not toxic, ensuring safety for the residents.

How Mineral Oil Cleans

Mineral oil is one of the many by-products created during the distillation of petroleum. The complex hydrocarbon formulation of mineral oil makes it as potent as commercial cleaners. It is also called paraffin oil and is commonly available at hardware stores. Mineral oil is particularly recommended for cleaning aged vinyl stains or stains caused by oils or greases. Mineral oil has the ability to slowly decompose other oils without harming the underlying surface.

Mineral oil is also used in woodworking since is it is an excellent de-gummer. This means that it is used for removing traces of older adhesives. Thus, mineral oil is perfect for removing stains caused by sticky materials. In the printing niche, mineral oil is regarded as an effective supplement for turpentine oil.

Cleaning Vinyl Using Mineral Oil

For cleaning any kind of plastic or vinyl surface in your house, use the following instructions:

Step 1 - Getting Started with Vinyl Surface Cleaning

It is vital that you clean the vinyl surface before applying mineral oil. Please note that mineral oil is meant for removing the actual stain and not the grime that covers it. Secondly, stains on the vinyl surface should be loosened or weakened to some extent before applying mineral oil. For this purpose, it is best that you start by cleaning the stained vinyl surface with a broom. You can also use a vacuum cleaner for this purpose. This helps to remove the dry dust or debris over the stained surface.

Step 2 - Preparing Vinyl Surface for Mineral Oil Application

Start with a sponge dipped in a solution prepared from water and white vinegar. Repeatedly wash the stain with the sponge. You can also use a bit of rubbing alcohol to treat the vinyl stains. An alternative lies in using hydrogen peroxide. However, you should use the household variety that readily evaporates without leaving any sort of residue. Now, using a soft-bristled brush, scrub the stain. Using a high-pressure hose, wash the stain.

Step 3 - Applying Mineral Oil

Use a small piece of dry cloth for this. Dampen the cloth with some drops of mineral oil. Wipe the treated stained with the cloth. If the stain seems deep, you can pour a few drops of mineral oil, directly on the stain. Now, leave the stain for about 5 minutes. Usually, mineral oil acts quite quickly and small flakes of the stain can be seen. However, if this doesn’t happen, scrub the stain again.

Step 4 - Washing Off Mineral Oil

It is crucial that you wash-off mineral oil. Mineral oil can leave a residue upon reacting with certain stains. The residue can get impacted upon the surrounding surface. Ideally, you should wash the stain with a high-pressure garden hose.