How To Clean Tile Floors?

Tile floors are a popular choice among homeowners due to their durability and stylish look. They give a classy finish to interior spaces and truly make the room stand out. However, maintaining clean tile floors can be a struggle. While tile and grout look stylish, they can also get dirty very quickly. Without proper cleaning, they start to lose their shine and quality, deteriorating over time. If you wash them too frequently, that can also ruin their finish. But don’t worry – it’s not as complicated as it sounds. Tiles are still relatively low maintenance compared to other kinds of flooring options. With the proper guidance and cleaning materials, you’ll be able to give your tiles a squeaky-clean makeover in no time. 

There are different kinds of tile floors, and each requires a slightly different cleaning regimen. In this article, we’ll cover why tile floors are so popular, how often you need to clean tile floors, the various varieties of tiles, and specific cleaning materials and equipment required.

Why Tile Floors?

Tiles are a trendy choice for home flooring, beating age-old competitors like carpet and wood. They’re cheap and easy to install, giving your house a beautiful look without compromising on quality. Tiles are highly resistant to stains and durable, adding to their appeal. They do stain eventually but are relatively easy to clean up and don’t require constant maintenance. Their glazed protective layer makes them water-resistant – this explains why bathroom tiles are so commonplace! This layer also makes them withstand moisture and humidity. Lastly, they can increase your home’s resale value. Tile floors attract prospective buyers as they give a beautiful look to the house. Nothing better to keep your tiles always clean than a recurring cleaning services.

How Frequently Do I Need to Clean Tile Floors?

You don’t need to give a thorough cleaning to your tiles every week; a sweep or vacuum twice a week will suffice. Dry cleaning helps get rid of the debris that settles in overtime and maintains their fresh look. Go for a wet mop every two weeks on kitchen tiles and every week on bathroom tiles. These are the two of the most frequented areas of the house. So they go through a lot of wear-and-tear hence it’s important to prioritize their cleaning if you want to keep those tiles looking spotless. Grout should be cleaned every two months through spot-cleaning. Homeowners often overlook grout cleaning as it may be too painstaking and time-consuming to complete. You can call a professional cleaning service like My Cleaning Angel to take care of the dirty business for you.

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Things to Know Before You Start

Cleaning tile floors will take around an hour to complete. Following is the list of materials and equipment you’ll need:

• Vacuum
• Broom
• Mop
• Bucket
• Dry cloth
• Warm water
• All-purpose cleaner

Tips Before You Get Started

Before you get into your cleaning, here are a few important points to remember for better and smarter cleaning:

• Use a chamois mop in place of a sponge mop – the latter just pushes dirt into the grout, damaging them long-term
• Don’t use acid-based cleaners like vinegar or peroxide on grout – acid loosens it
• Avoid acid cleaners on stone floors

Ceramic Tile Floors

Ceramic and porcelain are the most common kinds of tile floors. You can use any cleaner as they don’t scratch or lose their sparkle that easily. Examples of suitable cleaners include all-purpose, simple vinegar, or dish soap. 

Follow these simple steps to restore that original shine in your floors:

1. Vacuum the tile properly from all corners using a microfiber duster for easy dust and hair removal
2. Dip your mop (preferably rag or chamois) into the cleaning solution, making sure to remove excess water so that the mop is not soaking
3. Mop the floor in even strokes, covering every inch in a neat pattern
4. Keep changing the water as it gets dirtier with each rinse; dirty water can leave a hazy film on the floor which will require an extra mop with white vinegar and hot water
5. Use diluted bleach to clean the grout and let it sit for a few minutes
6. Dry the tile with a clean cloth immediately after mopping to prevent the formation of water spots

Natural Stone Tile Floors

Natural stone tile floors include marble, granite, or slate. They are cleaned in almost the same way as ceramic or porcelain tile floors but with a few minor changes. 

1. Marble and slate tiles are susceptible to acidic cleaners so make sure you’re avoiding those at all costs 
2. Use a pH-neutral detergent for granite floors as they discolor easily
3. Natural stone tile floors scratch easily compared to ceramic or porcelain floors, so you must use a soft-bristled broom to clean them
   
   

   Vinyl and Linoleum Tile Floors

   Vinyl and linoleum floors fill in as cheaper alternatives to natural stone or ceramic floors. But keeping them in good shape and condition is also just as important. Many people use steam mops for these floors. But they don’t realize that vinyl and linoleum can’t tolerate such extreme heat and moisture.
   

   For vinyl, go for a dry sweep first. Then, use a custom vinyl cleaning solution or homemade cleaning mixture using water and vinegar. Stay wary of abrasive cleaners – they can scratch the flooring.
   

   For linoleum, use a mixture of borax and water after a sweep or linoleum floor commercial cleaners. To add an extra layer of shine, apply a coat of wax every 3 – 6 months.

   Cleaning Grout

   While we’ve talked in detail about tiles, it’s also essential to clean the glue that holds them together. Grout can be a bit challenging to clean, especially if it’s light-colored as it stains easily. If regular cleaning doesn’t do the trick for you, try a mixture of baking soda and water to make a thick paste. Apply the paste and leave it overnight. Scrub using an old toothbrush or nylon brush the next day to clean away the stains. While many people also use steam cleaners, they can damage the grout in the long run. To avoid permanently damaging your grout, keep using the baking soda paste and a silicone-based sealer to protect the grout when clean.

Looking for a Professional Cleaning Service?

While this article gives you all the tips you need to know to clean tile floors thoroughly, certain limitations may prevent you from doing so. Hiring a house cleaning company can be a good decision for you.

You might not have the time or energy to do such an in-depth cleaning every week, or you prefer to spend that free time with your family rather than scrubbing the bathroom floors! If that’s the case, you can always call My Cleaning Angel to provide you with the best home and floor cleaning solutions!

My Cleaning Angel has been in Florida since 2013, all thanks to their fantastic team and excellent reviews left by the customers. If you’ve decided that house cleaning services are the right option for you, then get in touch with My Cleaning Angel today! If you have any queries or would like to contact the team, a customer service assistant will be glad to answer your questions and get you on your way to a spotless home!