Marmoleum does not recommend vinegar. Repeated use of either acids or alkalines can break down the product. They recommend a neutral pH cleaner and buffing. You may need to start over, and purchase a buffer. Look at a local commercial cleaning supplier for products to help you do the maintenance. Good luck with restoring it!

https://forbo.blob.core.windows.net/forbodocuments/21697/Forbo_Floorcare_instructions_Marmoleum_EN-ISv2.pdf 

When I had Marmoleum, I didn't have any kind of topcoat. Maybe you can strip it and go natural. I found it to be very easy. Do talk to the manufacturer. Something isn't right.

I have contacted the manufacturer and this is the reply I got (and it sounds like way more work than a mom of young kids or anyone for that matter has time for)

"Unfortunately the vinegar solution you are using is not diluted correctly, it is too weak, if you are going to use a vinegar solution we recommend it be a 50/50 white vinegar and water solution. When using a neutral pH cleaning solution, our floor care guidelines (found in both the attached residential floor care guidelines, as well as in the attached Click Brochure) call for a clean water rinse. Residue can be left on the surface from the cleaner which can cause a film over the floor, can trap dirt easier, and if a spill has not fully been cleaned up, the residue can stick to it capturing more dirt and making the spill more visibly prominent – therefore a clean water rinse after cleaning the floor is necessary.

For engrained dirt / spills, some abrasion will be needed in conjunction with the neutral pH cleaner. We would recommend a dwell time with the neutral pH cleaner of about 3-5 minutes, then go in with a non-abrasive kitchen scrub or a nylon pad and go in to scrub the area, pick up that solution, and then rinse well with clean water and allow to dry fully.

As for the scratches and scuffs, the Topshield2 is scratch / scuff / stain resistant but it is not proof. If something heavy or sharp enough is drug across the surface, a scuff or white scratch mark will appear where the surface has been marred. As for the scuffs, using a clean tennis ball should be able to remove scuff marks. There are multiple repairs that can be attempted for the scratches that I have included below – as well as our Topshield2 Brochure attached.

• For deep or isolated scratches, you can attempt to mask off the floor around the scratch, and use a Q-Tip or small foam paint brush to apply Forbo Residential Floor Finish to only the scratch. We recommend taping off the floor around it so floor finish does not get on the floor surrounding the scratch, or a shiny ring could appear.

• Minor burns and small scratches may be repaired using a fine grade steel wool (00 or 000 grade). Rub the damaged area, making sure to rub with the grain until damage is removed. Apply Forbo Residential Floor Finish only to the repaired area.

• Lastly, Forbo Residential Floor Finish could be applied to the entire floor to attempt to mask the scratch, if the Q-Tip/paint brush approach is too much to do following the scrub.

I would invest in a scrubbing floor mate if rinsing is always recommended.

To see if you can resolve the “dull/smearing” problem, I would follow the manufacturer’s directions and scub that floor with a brush as directed ... then let the floormate do the rest of the work.

https://www.amazon.com/Hoover-FloorMate-Deluxe-Cleaner-Moondust/dp/B00CM220CK/ref=asc_df_B00CM220CK/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=167140851087&hvpos=1o2&hvnetw=g&hvrand=10761974776639817532&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=t&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9019284&hvtargid=pla-220086260932&psc=1

Some of the grammar in that email is disturbing.

Do you have any leftover flooring bits to experiment on?

I do have extra I can experiment on, but so far I haven't had much luck. I am sure some of the issue is the flat, no texture, matte finish that makes everything show but I've never had flooring this difficult to keep at least looking decent. And it's been this way since day one. Since Forbo puts their topshield2 on the product you aren't supposed to have to restore or add floor finish to it for quite a while, or so I understood. We are seriously considering taking the loss and removing most of it out (in the living room area and going back to carpet.) But it was installed in a way we can keep it in the kitchen. I just really want to figure out how to keep it clean.

I wonder whether a steam cleaner would work. You would not have the residue that the manufacturer mentions, since there is no residue with steam.

I don't know about the floor mate cleaner, but steam mops unfortunately are not recommended, at least on the floating click marmoleum with the seams.

Hi Jess, I’m glad I finally found someone who has the exact same issues as me. I’m not certain you’ll get this post, but did you ever come up with a solution? I have matt medium grey click marmoleum in my kitchen, and it shows every footprint, every drip of water on it, every wipe with a broom. I’m likely covering it sometime soon, but I’m wondering if it’s partly the colour (too dark?) and the matt and of you’d recommend something light and shiny. Thanks. Jodie

Marmoleum requires maintenance (aka real linoleum). The polish is required to keep the floors happy and healthy.

A dark, matte finished product (regardless of material) is KNOWN to show 'oil marks' from skin, paws, shoes, etc. It is the way of the world.

I would try the refresh polish (perhaps move up on the gloss level to satin if they have it) and try again.