Residential Care

IMMEDIATELY AFTER INSTALLATION

• Protect and do not disturb the sealed seams on your resilient sheet flooring for at least 16 hours after seam sealer application to ensure a proper seam bond.
• For ungrouted DuraCeramic, DuraCeramic Options, DuraStone, resilient sheet and resilient tile floors, keep traffic to a minimum during the first 48 hours to allow the adhesive to harden. For grouted DuraCeramic and DuraCeramic Options, keep all traffic off the floor for 24 hours, then open to light foot traffic only for the next 24 hours. Resume normal traffic after 48 hours.
• Furniture should not be placed on the floor until the adhesive and grout, if applicable, has had adequate time to dry (48 hours for grouted DuraCeramic and DuraCeramic Options and at least 24 hours for all other products).
• Always move heavy furniture and appliances with care to avoid gouging or tearing the floor. First, lay strips of plywood or hardboard panels on the floor. Then roll, "walk" or slide these items on the strips. Do not push or pull appliances and heavy furniture without taking these precautions.
• Wash your floor using Congoleum Bright 'N Easy No-Rinse Cleaner or other suitable resilient floor cleaner 48 hours after installation.

Caution: Resilient flooring, like other types of smooth floors, can become slippery when wet. Allow time for the floor to dry after washing. Immediately wipe up wet areas from spills or wet feet. Place mats at outside entrances to prevent water, snow or ice from being tracked onto your floor. Improper polishes or finishes can also cause slipperiness.

PREVENTATIVE CARE

• Make sure furniture legs have large surface, nonstaining floor protectors. Replace small, narrow metal or dome-shaped glides with smooth, flat glides that are in flat contact with the floor. Glides should be equipped with self-adhesive felt pads to avoid scratching the surface of the floor. The pads should be checked periodically for grit and wear and replaced when necessary.
• Heavy furniture or appliances that are not moved often should be equipped with flat, nonstaining composition furniture casters or cups of appropriate size - available square from 1 ½” to 2 5/8” and round from 1 3/8” to 1 5/8”.
• Mobile appliances and furniture should be equipped with easily swiveling casters. They should be at least 2” in diameter with nonstaining hard rubber treads at least 3/4” wide. Do not use ball-shaped casters.
• Place mats at outside entrances to prevent dirt, grit and soil from being tracked onto your floor. Use 100% latex- backed mats, because some rubber-backed mats or carpets may permanently stain your floor.
• To help prevent staining from asphalt tracking, we recommend the use of a latex-based driveway sealer.
• Draw drapes and blinds during peak periods of strong sunlight. Resilient floors, like other home furnishing products, may discolor or fade when overexposed to the sun.
• Heat-producing appliances such as a refrigerator or range, or hot air registers emitting a direct flow of heat in excess of 120° F, even intermittently, can scorch, burn, discolor or fade your floor. Cigarettes, matches and other very hot objects can also damage your floor.
• Avoid wearing stiletto or spiked heels on your floor. These types of heels can indent or damage many types of floors.

REGULAR CARE (All Products)

• Sweep or vacuum regularly to remove dirt and grit that can abrade, dull or scratch your new floor. Do not use a vacuum with a beater brush, because it may damage the floor's surface.
• Wipe up spills promptly with a damp cloth or mop.
• Wash your floor with Congoleum Bright 'N Easy No-Rinse Cleaner or other suitable resilient floor cleaner.

Caution: Avoid one-step "mop and polish" products, dishwashing liquids and oil-based cleaners. These may leave a residue which can attract dirt and dull your floor's finish. Avoid cleaners that contain abrasives or solvents which may permanently damage your floor.

• A copolymer or acrylic grout sealer compatible with acrylic grouts may be used on DuraCeramic grout. Do not use a penetrating silicone sealer on the grout.
• The gloss level may change over time depending on the amount of traffic, care, and maintenance the floor receives. To restore the appearance, first use Congoleum Bright 'N Easy Polish Remover to remove any ground-in dirt and excess polish buildup. Rinse thoroughly. Then apply Congoleum Bright 'N Easy Floor Polish (03002) to obtain a high-gloss finish or Congoleum Bright 'N Easy Satin-Gloss Floor Polish (03007) to obtain a satin-gloss or natural-gloss finish. Do not apply polish to Xclusive.

CARE FOR FOUNDATIONS®, SPECIFICATIONS™, ALTERNATIVES®,SPECIAL EFFECTS®, SELECTIONS®, CHOICES® AND CX SERIES™ FLOORS

These products require a polish to seal and protect the color and design. A minimum of two coats of polish for residential use and three to five coats for commercial use is required.

Initial Residential Maintenance

After the floor has been installed and the adhesive has dried (48 hours), initial maintenance MUST BE performed on your Foundations, Specifications, Alternatives, Special Effects, Selections, Choices or CX Series floor. If these instructions are not followed, permanent staining may occur.

• Sweep or vacuum the floor regularly to remove loose dirt.
• If needed, after installation use lighter fluid applied with a clean cloth to remove scuff marks and adhesive residue. Keep traffic off treated area for 30 minutes.

Caution: Lighter fluid is a flammable solvent. Carefully read and follow cautionary information on label.

• Wash your floor with Congoleum Bright 'N Easy No-Rinse Cleaner or other suitable resilient floor cleaner. Be sure it is thoroughly dry before applying polish.
• Apply a minimum of two coats of Congoleum Bright 'N Easy Floor Polish to seal and protect your floor.

Regular Maintenance

• Follow the general maintenance tips.
• Apply additional coats of polish as needed.

Periodic Maintenance

• Periodically, it will be necessary to remove polish buildup. Use Congoleum Bright 'N Easy Polish Remover, following label instructions. Rinse well and allow to dry before re-applying polish.
• Each time the polish is stripped, apply a minimum of two coats of Congoleum Bright 'N Easy Floor Polish to reseal and protect the floor.

FLOOR CARE PRODUCTS

Bright 'N Easy No Rinse Cleaner

Order Code: 03001
Sizes: 32oz. (1qt.), 12 bottles/ctn.; 4oz.
Trial Packet 24/ctn.

Bright 'N Easy Floor Polish

Order Code: 03002
Sizes: 32oz. (1qt.), 12 bottles/ctn.

Bright 'N Easy Satin Gloss Floor Polish

Order Code: 03007
Sizes: 32oz. (1qt.), 12 bottles/ctn.; 4oz.

Bright 'N Easy Polish Remover

Order Code: 03003
Sizes: 32oz. (1qt.), 12 bottles/ctn.; 4oz.

HOW TO TREAT STAINS, SPILLS AND SCUFFS

Follow the remedies in order. Unless instructed otherwise, use a clean, white cloth or towel with the recommended liquids. Always rinse the affected area with clean water after treatment.

Stains and Spills

• Acids, Alkalis
• Blood
• Catsup, Mustard
• Cleaners, Strong Soaps
• Dye, Dye Markings
• Food, Candy
• Fruit and Fruit Juices
• Grass
• Iodine, Mercurochrome
• Rust
• Urine, Excrement
• Vomit

Remedy

• Scrub area with Congoleum Bright ’N Easy No-Rinse Cleaner full strength.
• Rub the area with a 10 to 1 dilution of water to liquid bleach.
• Rub the area with isopropyl alcohol*. If rust stain does not respond, use lemon juice or a cream of tartar solution

Paint and Solvent Spills

• Dry Cleaning Fluids
• Lacquer
• Latex Paints
• Nail Polish
• Solvents
• Oil-Based Paints
• Wood Stains
• Varnish

Remedy

• If substance is dry, gently peel it from the floor. (Avoid sharp instruments that could scratch the floor.)
• Scrub area with Congoleum Bright 'N Easy No-Rinse Cleaner.
• Rub lightly with mineral spirits or paint thinner*.

Substances That Won’t Wipe Up

• Adhesives
• Asphalt
• Chewing Gum
• Oil
• Grease
• Candle Wax
• Tar

Remedy

• Carefully remove excess with a dull kitchen knife.
• Scrub area with Congoleum Bright ’N Easy No-Rinse Cleaner.
• Rub lightly with mineral spirits, isopropyl alcohol* or lighter fluid*.

Scuffs and Smudges

• Rubber Heel Marks
• Shoe Polish
• Scuffs
• Smudges

Remedy

• Scrub area with Congoleum Bright ’N Easy No-Rinse Cleaner.
• Rub lightly with isopropyl alcohol* or lighter fluid*.

* Caution:

Isopropyl alcohol, Lighter fluid, mineral spirits and paint thinner are flammable solvents. Carefully read and follow cautionary information on label. Keep traffic off treated area for 30 minutes.

Commercial Care

PREVENTATIVE MAINTENANCE

• Use extreme care to protect the newly installed floor from rolling loads for the first 48 hours while adhesive is drying.
• Always use strips of hardwood or plywood when moving heavy objects such as appliances and furniture over the floor even when using carts or dollies with wheels.
• Furniture legs should be equipped with large, flat surface protectors or glides.
• Protect the floor with heavy kraft paper on construction sites where other trades are active and the initial application of floor polish is prohibited. Do not use asphalt-saturated felt paper.
• Remove spills quickly to prevent staining.
• Some solutions contain chemicals that may permanently stain or damage flooring if not cleaned up immediately. Asphalt driveways, particularly those recently installed or resealed with coal tar sealer, can cause permanent staining in prominent traffic areas. Regular maintenance and floor mats placed at entryways will reduce or eliminate coal tar stains. Congoleum recommends the use of latex-emulsion sealers where possible.
• Avoid damage from tracked-in dirt and grit by placing floor mats at outside entrance doorways.

Caution: Rubber-backed mats may cause permanent staining.

SAFETY INFORMATION

Caution: Wet floors are slippery. Water, other liquids and foreign matter on the surface of the floor can cause it to be slippery and should be removed immediately. Improper waxes and finishes can also cause slipperiness.

Whenever washing, polishing or stripping floors, traffic should be excluded from the area due to the possibility of slipping.

The use of walk-off mats at entrances will reduce tracked-in water.

MAINTENANCE PROCEDURES

Caution: DO NOT DRY BUFF, SPRAY BUFF, OR BURNISH COMPOSITION (WITH OR WITHOUT ASBESTOS) OR ASPHALT FLOOR TILE WITHOUT PRIOR APPLICATION OF A METAL CROSS-LINKED ACRYLIC FINISH WHICH IS RESISTANT TO NEUTRAL CLEANERS. DO NOT DRY STRIP UNDER ANY CONDITIONS.

Products: Specifications, Foundations, Choices, Alternatives, Selections, Special Effects, and CX Series

The listed products must be maintained with floor polish to seal and protect the surface. Apply three to five coats of polish, 48 hours after installation and prior to normal use.

Initial Maintenance

• Allow adhesive to dry a minimum of 48 hours before washing or polishing the floor.
• Remove scuffs and adhesive smears with a clean cloth dampened with lighter fluid.
  Caution: Lighter fluid is extremely flammable. Read and follow cautions on container label.
• Damp-mop with a dilute solution of No-Rinse Cleaner and rinse with clean water. Avoid flooding the floor.

Note: Do not attempt to strip the factory finish on Specifications or Foundations. Stripping is optional on tile products.

• Allow floor to dry and apply three to five thin coats of floor polish following all label instructions. Five coats are recommended in medium to heavy commercial applications

Regular Maintenance

• Vacuum, sweep, or dust with an untreated mop, daily, to remove loose dirt and grit. Do not use sweeping compounds or oil treated mops.
• Damp-mop floor regularly with a dilute solution of No-Rinse Cleaner. Follow all label instructions. To remove heavy soil use a slow speed floor machine equipped with a medium-grade, natural fiber scrubbing brush and a concentrated cleaner. Rinse floor after scrubbing.
• To refurbish and restore the gloss, clean the floor and spray buff with a high speed floor machine (1000 to 1500 RPM) equipped with a white, tan, or red-colored buffing pad. A dilute solution (1 part polish/2 parts water) can be used for spray buffing.
• After repeated spray buffing operations, additional coats of polish must be applied.

PERIODIC MAINTENANCE

• Periodically, once or twice a year or as needed, strip the floor polish to avoid build-up.
• Use a floor machine (170 to 330 RPM) equipped with a blue or green pad or a natural fiber, medium grade scrubbing brush and a liquid stripping solution following all label instructions.
• Use a wet/dry vacuum to remove the residual polish and stripping solution.
  Warning: An electric shock hazard exists. Use a ground fault circuit interrupter for any electrical connection in a wet environment.
• Rinse the floor thoroughly with a clean mop, changing water frequently. Allow to dry.
• Re-apply three to five thin coats of floor polish.

Product: Flor-Ever Plus

Flor-Ever Plus has a no-wax surface that requires minimum maintenance. Spray buffing is recommended to maintain and restore the gloss and remove scuffs that may occur with use. Floor polish is generally not required; however, it will provide added protection in areas of heavy traffic.

Initial and Regular Maintenance

• Allow adhesive and seam sealer to dry a minimum of 48 hours before washing the floor.
• Vacuum, sweep, or dust daily with an untreated mop to remove loose dirt and grit.
• Damp-mop regularly with a dilute solution of No-Rinse Cleaner and water. Use a more concentrated solution of No-Rinse Cleaner following all label instructions for heavily soiled floors. Rinsing may be necessary to remove heavy soil.

Spray Buffing

To refurbish and restore the gloss, clean the floor thoroughly and spray buff with a low speed machine (170 to 600 RPM) equipped with a white buffing pad. A dilute solution (1 part polish/2 parts water) can be used for spray buffing.

Polishing

Floor polish will provide additional protection in areas of high traffic.

• Thoroughly clean and rinse the floor.
• Allow to dry and apply two to five coats of floor polish.
• Spray buff occasionally to restore the gloss.
• After repeated spray buffing operations, additional coats of polish should be applied.
• Periodically (once or twice a year) strip the floor polish to avoid build- up.
• Use a floor machine (170 to 330 RPM) equipped with a tan or red pad and a liquid stripping solution.
• Use a wet/dry vacuum to remove the residual polish and stripping solution.
• Rinse the floor thoroughly with a clean mop, changing water frequently. Allow to dry.
• Re-apply two to five coats of floor polish.

Caution: Severe or extensive damage to the floor will occur if a floor machine is used improperly or carelessly.

FLOOR CARE PRODUCTS

Use Congoleum Commercial floor care products as part of an easy, economical maintenance system that will help preserve the original appearance of the floor.

Congoleum Commercial No-Rinse Cleaner

• Order Code: C3085
• Timesaving, one-step, no-rinse formula
• Removes tough dirt on contact
• Leaves no dulling film residue
• Economical - One gallon makes up to 64 gallons of solution
• Recommended for all resilient floors
• Sizes: 128 oz. (1 gallon), 4 bottles/carton; 55 gallon
  Caution: EYE IRRITANT

Congoleum Commercial Floor Polish

• Order Code: C3090
• Guards against scuffs, scratches, and deterioration from cleaning detergents
• Ultra-durable, high-gloss shine
• Reduces need for frequent buffing and re-coating
• Spread rate: 2,000 sq. ft. per gallon
• Recommended for Congoleum commercial sheet flooring and tile.
• Sizes: 128 oz. (1 gallon), 4 bottles/carton; 55 gallon
  Caution: EYE IRRITANT

Congoleum Commercial Satin-Gloss Floor Polish

• Order Code: C3100
• Guards against scuffs, scratches, and deterioration from cleaning detergents.
• Ultra-durable, satin-gloss shine
• Reduces need for frequent buffing and re-coating
• Spread rate: 2,000 sq. ft. per gallon
• Recommended for Congoleum commercial sheet flooring and tile.
• Sizes: 128 oz. (1 gallon), 4 bottles/carton; 55 gallon
  Caution: EYE IRRITANT

Congoleum Commercial Stripper/Polish Remover

• Order Code: C3095
• Maximum strength, deep cleaning stripping detergent
• Quickly dissolves old polish build-up
• Economical - One gallon makes up to 9 gallons of solution
• Recommended for all resilient floors
• Sizes: 128 oz. (1 gallon), 4 bottles/carton; 55 gallon
  Warning: EYE AND SKIN IRRITANT