Tile floors are a favorite in bathrooms, kitchens, and laundry rooms, and for a good reason. They look great and clean up nicely, and they are very durable. Cleaning your tile correctly will help it look better for longer and bring out your apartment’s best features. Check out these tips on how to properly clean your tile floors to keep them looking beautiful.
How Often Should I Clean My Tile Floors?
How much foot traffic your tile floor receives will determine how often you have to clean it. You should put it on your weekly cleaning routine for every room that has a tile floor. Of course, you should be cleaning up spills and stains right away from your tile floor. You should be sweeping or vacuuming the floor daily to prevent dirt from building up and causing scratches on the floor.
What Do I Need to Clean Vinyl Tile Floors?
Because almost all new vinyl tile floors are no-wax flooring, if you apply wax or use a mop and shine cleaner, it will dull the finish. To properly clean your vinyl tile floor, you will need a vinyl floor cleaner or homemade cleaner; rubbing alcohol, WD40, and baking soda are all optional. You will also need a broom, dust mop or vacuum, a sponge, an old cloth or wet mop, and two buckets.
How to Clean Your Vinyl Tile Flooring
First, you need to sweep or vacuum any loose dirt on the flooring before you mop. The next step is to get rid of any stains before you begin mopping the whole floor. If you have lipstick, crayon, paint, or ink, use a sponge to apply some rubbing alcohol to the stain and let it sit for five minutes, and then wipe it away with a clean sponge. If there are scuff marks on your floor, you can try to spray some WD40 on a cloth and rub out the spots. If you have dried on food spills, make a paste of baking soda and water and then apply it to the dried-on food before rubbing it with a damp towel. The next step is to prepare your cleaning solution. If you’re using a commercial cleaner, be sure to follow all instructions given. If you want to make your solution, you can mix 1 cup of vinegar per gallon of hot water in a bucket. The acidity of the vinegar removes the dirt without leaving a film. If you want extra cleaning power, you can add a few drops of dish soap to the solution. When you mop, do not soak the floor too much as it will get under the vinyl tile and cause problems.
How to Clean Ceramic and Stone Tiles
Ceramic and natural stone tile floors are even more durable and look better than their vinyl counterparts. Most ceramic and natural stone tile floors are scratch-resistant, and spills will wipe away easily. They are a popular choice as they come in many design options that will fit any theme. The one challenging part of cleaning your natural stone or ceramic tile floor is the grout.
What do I Need to Clean My Ceramic or Stone Tile Floor?
For cleaning ceramic tile floors, you will need an all-purpose commercial cleaner or dishwashing soap. If you have natural stone tile floors, you should look for a non-acidic alkaline-based cleaning solution. You will also likely need baking soda, hydrogen peroxide, or oxygen-based bleach powder. You should also have a broom, dry dust mop or a vacuum, a wet mop, a stiff-bristled brush like a toothbrush, and two buckets.
How to Clean Your Ceramic or Stone Tile Floor
The first step is to eliminate any loose dirt; you should do this by sweeping or vacuuming your floor. Next, you need to clean the grout. If your grout hasn’t been sealed, it will attract dirt that will not come out with regular mopping. There are several products out there that can help you clean your grout. Use one of these cleaners at a time and scrub the grout with your stiff-bristled brush; a toothbrush works great for this. You can also use a paste of baking soda and water or hydrogen peroxide. After you clean the grout, now is the time to mop. Find an appropriate commercial cleaner for your floor and follow all instructions given. When you’re done mopping, rinse the floor well to avoid any soapy residue leftover.
