Materials you'll need:

• Mild detergent
• All purpose spray cleaner
• Fine steel wool
• Liquid polish
• Ice
• Dry cleaning fluid
• Hydrogen peroxide
• White vinegar
• Furniture protectors

Tools you'll need:

• Spatula or knife
• Mop

A resilient floor is one covered with lino, vinyl, asbestos or vinyl tiles, rubber or cork. Knowing which material your floor is made of will be help in treating and preventing stains. Most resilient floors can be kept in good condition by dry-mopping, wiping up spills as they happen, damp-mopping once or twice a week then washing with a mild detergent only about every three weeks to a month. Don't use any more water than necessary. After washing, apply a coat of polish (unless your floor is treated so it needs no polishing)

Furniture legs often leave marks on resilient floors so always use flat-bottomed floor protectors or furniture cups under stool legs and other furniture.

Some common marks and spills can be treated as follows. If using a cleaner for the first time, test it first on an inconspicuous part of the floor.

1. Black heel marks, the most common marks on resilient floors, can be removed with an application of spray-on cleaner. Some polishes are also designed to remove heel marks. If neither of these works, try dipping fine steel wool into liquid polish. Rub the mark. Damp mop and polish afterwards.

2. The steel wool and polish treatment can be used on paint spots, fruit and coffee stains.

3. If mustard dries on the floor and leaves a mark, remove the dried mustard with a spatula and cover with a compress soaked in hydrogen peroxide. Wash, dry and polish after treating.

4. If you spill caustic drain cleaner, neutralize it with white vinegar right away. Wash and dry the surface and polish.

5. Tar, chewing gum and candle wax can be hardened by rubbing an ice cube over the spill. Use a spatula or the dull edge of a knife to scrape away the brittle matter. Residue can be cleaned with dry cleaning fluid and fine steel wool. Wipe with a damp cloth and polish when dry.