Tile flooring may be long-lasting and easy to clean, but sand and grit can be a drawback. Scratches can be caused to the surface if it is not removed immediately. In the long run, if you don’t keep your tile floors clean, they could end up with irreparable damage. In addition, dirty tile can impair the appearance of a spotless area, as the grout darkens with time and exposure to grime.
Cleaning Ceramic Tile Floors
Begin by removing everything that could get in the way of your work, including shoes, rugs, and furniture. Then, take the following steps:
- Use a vacuum cleaner or a brush to remove any loose dirt or sand.
- Scrape the tiles with an old credit card or a plastic putty knife to get rid of any residue.
- Add hot water, vinegar, and dish soap to a bucket and mix thoroughly. A soapy residue on your floors will diminish their appearance, so be careful not to overdo it.
- Rinse the mop head well under hot running water prior to mopping to eliminate any residue from the previous time the mop was used.
- Use soapy water to mop the tile floor.
- Mop with hot water to get rid of any soap residue.
- You can leave the floor to dry naturally, but a clean cloth or towel can remove more debris and prevent water stains.
Cleaning Ceramic Tile Grout
It’s only the grout that makes your ceramic tile flooring look excellent. A hot steam machine can be rented from a hardware store to deep-clean grout. However, if you prefer to clean grout yourself, the best method is outlined below:
- Use powdered oxygen bleach in a pail of water in accordance with the bottle’s instructions. Non-toxic and color-safe, this form of bleach has a different chemical component than chlorine bleach. Any grocery or hardware store will have it in the cleaning supplies section.
- Use a spray bottle or a scrub brush to apply the solution to the grout lines. We prefer to utilize both techniques of treatment if the grout is particularly filthy.
- Allow at least 30 minutes for the solution to rest on the grout. The more time you have to kill, the better off you’ll be. Bleach solution’s oxygen ions keep working for up to six hours.
- Using a stiff nylon brush or an old toothbrush, clean the grout lines thoroughly after the bleach solution has had time to work its magic. The best way to clean grout is to work on a little section at a time, using a cloth to catch any dirty water as you go.
- Rinse the area with fresh water and dry it with a clean cloth once all the grout lines have been cleaned.
- Use a grout sealant after you’re done and the floor has dried to keep the grout clean.
In place of oxygen bleach, you can use a mixture of white vinegar and either lemon juice or baking soda, both of which you are likely to have on hand. Our experience, however, has shown that using a bleach solution involves the least amount of washing while also being the most successful at eradicating stains.