How to clean tiles floors.
Tile flooring is the ideal choice for high-traffic areas in homes like kitchens, foyers, and bathrooms because it can withstand a significant amount of usage. If you take excellent care of your tile flooring, they can last a long time and give you a good return on investment. Fortunately, tile is low maintenance compared to other types of flooring.
When it comes to cleaning your tile floors, you need to use the right products and techniques depending on the type of tile you have. If you want to learn more about developing a regular cleaning and maintenance plan, here are effective techniques to clean tile floors.
How Often Should Tile Floors Be Cleaned?
Generally, it would help if you vacuum or sweep your tiles at least twice a week to remove the gritty particles that may degrade the finish of your flooring. Mop the tile floor in your bathroom once a week and do this every two week for the kitchen. Once every two to three months, spot clean the grout to ensure the dirt does not build up in the crevices.
Selecting Cleaning Products and Tools
Ceramic and porcelain tiles are the most common types of tile flooring, and the good news is that they are easy to keep clean. You can clean your tile floors with almost any cleaning product designed for such tiles, whether all-purpose, plain white vinegar, or dish soap.
While ceramic and porcelain tile floors are low-maintenance, coarse tiles like marble, slate, limestone, or granite need special care and, in some cases, a special floor cleaner. Thus, it would be best to visit to work with a professional to clean these types of tile.
Instead of using a sponge mop to clean tile floors, clean your tiles with a mild detergent and warm water using a chamois-type mop or a rag. Since sponge mops tend to force filthy water into the grout lines, they are much harder to clean, so chamois-type mops are ideal.
How to Keep Tiles Clean
Ceramic and Porcelain Tiles
Ceramic and porcelain tile floors are durable, and with a few simple cleaning methods, you can keep your floors looking brand new. To clean them, you can follow these simple steps:
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Vacuum or Sweep the Tile
To keep your tiles looking new, make sure you sweep or vacuum them. Although ceramic tiles are dirt-resistant, grit and sand can degrade the glazed surfaces. Thus, you should get into the corners, where dirt tends to accumulate. You can then use a microfiber duster to pick up hair and dust.
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Combine Cleaner and Warm Water
Dip a chamois mop, instead of a sponge mop, into a mixture of warm water and your tile cleaner. Squeeze out any extra water, then make gentle, even strokes with the mop across the floor. Cover all corners and areas to ensure every section is cleaned as you proceed across the room.
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Replace the Water
The water will become cloudy as you rinse away your cloth or mop. To prevent leaving a foggy coating of filth on the tile, dump the dirty water and replenish it. If you finish and notice any haze, mix white vinegar and hot water and apply it to the film with a moist towel to remove it.
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Keep an Eye Out for Soap Residue
If your tiles still look foggy after washing, you may be dealing with soapy residue. To get rid of this, use a nonabrasive all-purpose cleaner. You may also use a DIY cleaner with a little acid, such as lemon juice, to clean tile floors on ceramic or porcelain tiles.
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Clean the Grout
Spray the grout with a grout cleaner or bleach solution. Make sure to wear gloves when handling bleach. Allow the solution to sit for a few minutes before rinsing it off.
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Dry the Floor
Allow your glazed tile floors to air dry instead of allowing standing water to produce water stains. If your tile is prone to wet stains, make sure to dry it with a clean, lint-free cloth or a clean towel after you have washed the floor.
Vinyl and Linoleum Tiles
Although vinyl and linoleum tile floors are less expensive than stone or ceramic tiles, they need just as much maintenance. Using a steam mop may appear to be a quick fix, but vinyl and linoleum are not designed to resist dampness and excessive heat.
Here are some quick tips on how you can clean these types of tiles:
- After sweeping, mop the vinyl with a manufacturer-recommended cleaning solution or a water-vinegar solution. For linoleum tiles, clean with a linoleum-specific solution or a solution of water and borax.
- Use nonabrasive cleansers to avoid scratching the surface of your tiles.
- To keep the brilliance of the flooring, add a layer of wax and buff it every three to six months.
Marble and Natural Stone Tiles
Marble and natural stone tiles can be cleaned in many ways. Generally, the processes are like that of ceramic and porcelain tiles, but with a few exceptions:
- Make sure to use the proper cleaner for the job–acidic cleaners like vinegar will not work on marble tiles or slate. Granite tiles need a pH neutral, mild detergent to prevent discoloration.
- To clean tile floors made of natural stone, sweep using a soft-bristled brush since they scratch more than ceramic and porcelain.
Install Quality Tile Floors Today
Tile flooring can add visual appeal to your home, so if you clean them regularly, they can las a long time. Native Tile Design is dedicated to assisting you in finding the highest-quality tile design in Palm Harbor. With over 30 years of experience and a wide range of brands carried, you can rely on us for your custom tile design needs. Call us today at (727) 754-4514 for a free consultation!