Getting mug rings out of lino?

September 9, 2015 6:44 AM

Put a mug of hot tea next to my bed without a coaster (because who uses a coaster on the floor?*) and now I have rings next to my bed. Any suggestions for how to remove or cover up the rings? Moving out in three weeks and have to pass two inspections.

The lino is grey with dispersed white and dark grey specks. The rings are white and very obvious. I've tried rearranging furniture to cover it up, but I feel like that will just draw attention to it when I am asked to rearrange it back. Help!

*and yeah, I guess I am a garbage person who eats and drinks in bed and leaves cups of tea on the floor.

posted by kinddieserzeit to Home & Garden (8 answers total)

Is it real natural linoleum, or vinyl? Supposedly the pattern on natural linoleum goes all the way through, so if it's the former you could try (on a small spot first!) buffing off the marks with a fine-grit sandpaper.
posted by Bardolph at 6:52 AM on September 9, 2015

Best answer: They make Sharpies in every color known to man. Go get a matching grey one and fill in the rings. Remember to add complementary flecks so that you don't have a grey ring problem instead of a white one.
posted by PorcineWithMe at 6:53 AM on September 9, 2015 [2 favorites]

Yep. Sharpies. What a fun art project!
posted by jbenben at 7:06 AM on September 9, 2015

Response by poster: Sharpies! Of course! My first thought was "Could I cover it up with nail polish?" But that would be too... shiny and not flush with the flooring.

I think it will take a bit of hunting to find Sharpies here, but hopefully I'll be able to find something suitable.
posted by kinddieserzeit at 7:12 AM on September 9, 2015

This crazy house we're renting has those old linoleum counter-tops with the boomerang pattern (and post-WWII STEEL kitchen cabinets, but that's another post). The previous occupant left some significant staining/fading next to the sink (dish rack, one assumes). If your mug rings are just fading rather than coffee or tea stains, try rubbing some mineral oil in. It'll darken the faded out bits to match the rest of the floor. It works great here on our counter tops, although it only lasts a couple three weeks before it needs another rub-down.

The process is the same as with a butcher block or cutting board: Rub some on, let it sit 10-15 minutes, then buff out.

Good luck!
posted by notyou at 7:17 AM on September 9, 2015

Are these hard water stains Ike there are mineral deposits), or just water stains?

There are any number of solutions on the internet that use simple ingredients like cream of tartar, vinegar, baking soda, bleach (not all at once!) One technique on ehow includes soaking the stain and covering it with taped-down plastic wrap for awhile. Whatever technique you use, it's going to involve treating it and leaving it for awhile.

Sorry - I'm on my phone and link.
posted by vitabellosi at 7:21 AM on September 9, 2015

An arts & crafts store will have sharpies or paint pens.
posted by PorcineWithMe at 10:09 AM on September 9, 2015

I'll one up the Sharpies recommendation: get a prismacolor marker that is a very light tone of the color you're looking for. This is important because you'll want to put down a few layers of color to blend out the boundary between stain and lino. A single layer will stand out, easily. Prismacolor (and similar products) come in a tremendous range of tones (check out the color palettes tab) and are specifically made for layering to build up to a desired tone.

This also works on carpet, clothing, etc.
posted by late afternoon dreaming hotel at 10:11 AM on September 9, 2015 [1 favorite]