How to Clean Tile Floors
Cleaning tile floors is not rocket science, but yes, there are a few things you should know. I have seen that most people are very confused about cleaning tiles. So let me tell you step by step how you can keep your tiles shiny and clean.
"Most people use the wrong products and that is why their tiles become dull quickly."
I would suggest that you first understand what type of tiles are installed in your house – ceramic, porcelain, or natural stone. This is important because the cleaning method of each tile is slightly different.
In this article, we will see all the tips and tricks that I have learned from experts and tried myself. Whether you have tiles in your kitchen, bathroom, or living room – this guide will help you. So let's get started and see how you can get your tile floors professionally cleaned, that too without spending a lot of money!
First know your tile
It is very important that you understand the type of tile installed in your home. Be it ceramic tiles, porcelain, or natural stone like marble or granite – each is cleaned in a different way. Let me tell you that ceramic and porcelain tiles are the most common in homes, and they are also the easiest to clean. But if you have natural stone, you will have to take a little more care.
Things you need
I always say that without the right tools the job is half done. So listen, what do you need:
A good broom or vacuum cleaner that is made for hard floors. I would recommend not using the same vacuum you use on carpet on tiles if it has a beater bar - it can scratch the tiles.
Need a good mop. I recommend microfiber mops as they pick up dirt well and don't leave streaks on the floor. Sponge mops are also fine, but I've found that they tend to release a lot of water, which isn't good for grout.
Then you need two buckets – yes, two! One for clean water and one for dirty water. I learned this trick from my mom and trust me, it will get your floors much cleaner.
Use a good cleaning solution. I am telling you that you do not need to buy any fancy expensive product. Mix a little dish soap or vinegar in hot water and you are done.
Keep an old toothbrush or small scrub brush handy for cleaning grout. This is very useful in those small places where the mop cannot reach.
Now comes the real work
Step 1: Dry clean
I am telling you, many people skip this step and then get worried as to why the floor is not getting cleaned. The first thing I do is always sweep or vacuum. This removes all the dust, soil, hair and small debris. If you mop directly, all this dirt will spread and become a muddy mess.
I clean the kitchen and bathroom floors with a broom every morning. The rest of the house two-three times a week. Make this habit, your work will become much easier.
Step 2: Prepare cleaning solution
Now I fill the bucket with hot water – not too hot, just lukewarm. If you are making soapy water, just add a quarter cup of dish soap to one gallon of water. Don't use too much soap or else there will be a sticky residue on the floor and you will have to clean it again.
If you're making a vinegar solution (which I love because it's natural and kills bacteria), mix half a cup of white vinegar with a gallon of warm water. Just remember not to use vinegar on natural stone tiles as it is acidic and can damage the stone.
Step 3: Start Mopping
Now I dip the mop in the solution and wring it out well. This is very important - the mop should be wet, not dripping. Too much water is not good for tiles, especially grout which absorbs water and can lead to mold problems.
I always start in one corner of the room and work my way to the back so I don't have to walk across the clean floor. Move the mop in S-shape, not in straight lines. This provides better coverage. Every so often, rinse the mop in a bucket of clean water and dip it back into the cleaning solution. If the water gets too dirty I change it. There is no use mopping with dirty water, you are just spreading the dirt all over.
Step 4: Pay attention to the grout
Look, the lines between the tiles, called grout, are where most of the dirt accumulates. I do a special grout cleaning once a month. For this, I make a paste of baking soda and water (about 3:1 ratio), and then apply it to the grout lines and scrub with an old toothbrush.
If the grout is very dirty then you can also buy grout cleaner from the store. But be careful when using bleach - it can discolor the grout and is also not good for health. Always wear gloves and open windows.
Step 5: Let it dry
After cleaning I always open the windows or run a fan so that the floor dries faster. If you mop properly, the floor will dry in 15-20 minutes. If it is taking more time then it means you have used too much water.
Some special tips that I follow
Let me tell you to clean up spills immediately. Whether it's spilled coffee, spilled sauce or something else – the sooner you clean up, the better. I always keep a paper towel roll in the kitchen just for this reason.
Install doormats both outside and inside the house. This prevents outside dirt from coming into the house. Since I installed nice doormats, my floor cleaning work has been cut in half.
Mistakes not to make
I am telling you from my experience - do not use too many chemicals. Once I thought that more cleaner would lead to better cleaning, but the opposite happened. There was a sticky layer on the floor which I had to mop three times to remove.
Use the steam mop with caution. These are fine for ceramic and porcelain tiles, but not for natural stone. And also not very good for grout as excess heat and moisture can weaken the grout.
Never use abrasive cleaners or steel wool. These will damage the surface of the tile and then the grout lines will start getting dirty very quickly.
See, keeping tile floors clean is not a big deal if you do it regularly. I do a little cleaning every day, a deep mop once a week, and a deep cleaning once a month. That is all.
