What can I use to clean white vinyl flooring?

One cup of White Vinegar to half bucket of warm water will whiten and brighten your vinyl flooring

Or half cup of Baking soda to a half bucket of warm water; mop then rinse in cool water for extra shine and cleaning

Murphy’s Oil Soap works great on vinyl flooring just follow directions on bottle for cleaning floors

Ammonia Works
When I used to clean my dad’s floors at his office, I used straight ammonia with a little water. Let it sit a few minutes. The dirt will come out. Be sure and use plenty of ventilation.

A Cleaning System
Your cleaning dilemma is one that faces many individuals, and you do not have to have an old floor to have a problem. Many people find that keeping the newer floors clean is also difficult.

It seems as though you have used a battery of cleaners with little success. Sometimes the cleaning method in itself will be the downfall of a cleaner looking floor. If ample rinsing is not done, even in some of the cleaners that suggest no rinsing is necessary, it will attract dirt to the flooring.

You are correct, the dirt particles appear to be lodge in the fabric of the linoleum. Dirt and dust will etch the floor. Therefore, allowing the dirt to accumulate in the etched areas or designs.

Use a broom, dust mop or vacuum on the floor prior to washing. Working on a dirt free floor is essential. Unless you want clean dirt

I have found that using Clorox Cleanup with Bleach does a terrific job in lifting the dirt and brightening the floor.

Place old newspaper or drop cloth around the carpeted or furniture areas. Remember you are using a bleach product, and it can/will fade or discolor any fabric (including the clothes that you are wearing to clean the floor).

Since you will be using a new method of cleaning, please test any new cleaner in a hidden area, use your judgment and then proceed at your own risk after reading/following the directions.

You will notice a marked difference in the cleanliness of the flooring, after using a sponge floor squeegy. Wash squeegy thoroughly when finished. I suggest doing this method only when you have a build up. If you sweep the floor daily and wash it with a mild nonsudsy ammonia & water or distilled white vinegar and water mixtures, your floor should remain clean and dirt free.

S.C. Johnson Wax has excellent products for shining the floor. If you find the regular products that are available to the general public via the grocery store are not doing the job, then I would suggest contacting a janitorial supply house. Many of these supply houses are available to non professional cleaners. Contact one prior to visiting their store.

Windex
Try Windex. I use it without diluting. It works great, especially on those tough spots!

Clean First, Then Seal Floor
I clean homes for a living. I have had clients that wanted me to clean their floors with the items you mentioned. I did for them, but for my own place, I don’t allow that junk in my home. I think what you are calling ground in dirt is really Mop n Glo that is built up.

I recommend using plain old sudsy ammonia. Pour on liberally and lightly move mop over the floor as ammonia breaks up the old wax. Moving the mop helps the wax to be removed move evenly. After your mop gets a dirty look to it start rinsing in sink with running water.

After all the old wax is off, it is good to close the pores of the floor with a sealer. Put a coat or two of the sealer on and then a couple coats of wax. Be sure to let dry thoroughly between coats. After your floor is waxed never use Spic n Span, Mr Clean, or any of that other junk on your floor again. Don’t use anything with ammonia in it. I recommend plain old vinegar and water.

I get my sealer and wax from a company called Hesco but you might try Home Depot, Merlands, Home Base, etc.

Or just adding half cup of Tide detergent and one cup of Ammonia will strip the old wax and make your floor look cleaner and make your floor look like it was brand new then just reseal with a fresh coat of wax, not the ones that have cleaner and wax in them they are not good quality try something like Future polish which is acrylic polish this last a long time and stands up to heavy foot traffic I have used this polish for many years and am very happy with it, inbetween washing your floor wash with one cup of White Vinegar and warm water, do not rinse allow to dry your floor polish will be renewed and it will have a fresh new shine and will also be disinfected and clean Good Luck !