Cleaning your tile floors is a lot easier than you think, and it doesn’t have to be a big job. You can clean the grout lines in between tiles with just water and a sponge or cloth.
If you are looking for ways to keep your home cleaner without spending too much money on cleaning supplies, then this post will help you out. We’ve compiled some of the best tips from around the web that will help you save time and money when doing household chores.
How Often To Clean Tile Floors
In well-used spaces, such as bathrooms, hallways and kitchen, tile floors should be ‘dry-cleaned’ (i.e., swept or vacuumed) at least twice a week. If you live in an area where there’s lots of moisture, like Florida or California, you may need to do more frequent deep mopping.
For less used areas, like guest bathrooms, home gyms, or the side of the pool, you can probably get away with weekly to every other week vacuuming and sweeping.
How To Deep Clean Your Tiles
There are two main methods of deep cleaning tiles: steam cleaning and wet cleaning. The first method uses heat and pressure to remove dirt and stains.
It works great if you want to quickly clean up spills or spot clean stubborn stains. Steam cleaners use high temperatures to loosen dirt and grime stuck to the surface. They also work well in hard-to-reach places like behind appliances or under furniture.
The second method involves using a solution of soap and water to wash away dirt and grime. This type of cleaning requires a bit more effort, but it’s usually cheaper than steam cleaning.
Wet cleaning is often recommended for small jobs like spot cleaning or removing light dust. For larger projects, such as cleaning the entire floor, steam cleaning is generally preferred because it removes more dirt and debris while leaving the surface dry.
Steam Cleaning
You can find several types of steam cleaners online. Some models come with attachments that allow you to easily clean behind appliances or under furniture, while others feature self-cleaning features that automatically start heating up once they’re turned on.
You can buy a steam mop at most hardware stores. These mops are designed to fit over a regular broom handle. You simply sweep the mop across the floor and let the hot steam loosen any dirt and grime. Be careful not to burn yourself!
To make sure your steam cleaner is working properly, check its temperature gauge before beginning a cleaning project. A good steam cleaner should maintain a steady 120 °F to 130 °F (50 °C to 55° C) temperature stream of steam.
Steam cleaning is ideal for cleaning large surfaces, especially those made of porcelain or glass. However, it can damage certain kinds of tiled floors, especially old ones which have developed cracks in grout and tile.
So, when you are planning to use a steam cleaner, always account for the kind of tile surface that you have.
The steam can force deeply into the gap, and this moisture can go on to create irreparable damage, through things such as swelling, warping, delamination, and joint line separation, to your flooring. It is also worth bearing in mind that steam cleaning your vinyl tile flooring will also probably void the warranty.
Wet Cleaning
If you don’t want to spend money on buying a steam cleaner, then wet cleaning is another option. Most people prefer this method because it’s easier and faster than steam cleaning.
The best way to clean your tiles by hand is to use a sponge mop. If you don’t own one, you can rent one from your local store. Simply fill the bucket with warm soapy water and add some dishwashing liquid. Use a soft brush or rag to scrub the floor thoroughly. Make sure to rinse off the floor after each pass.
Another alternative is to use a damp cloth. Just be sure to wring out the cloth completely before wiping down the floor.
It is important to note that when cleaning your tiles by hand, you need to avoid getting too much water on them – and don’t leave large pools of water standing on your tile floor. Too much water could cause spots on your flooring, especially if you have patchy tile or grout sealant.
How To Clean Tile Grout
Ceramic tiles require grout to hold them together – and oftentimes, your tile flooring only looks as good as the grout does. So, to keep it looking spick and span, grout needs to be cleaned regularly to prevent stains and discoloration.
Bleach is the most effective cleaner for grout. Apply a solution of bleach and water to the grout with either a spray bottle or a scrubbing brush.
Bleach should have gotten to work after the grout has been soaking in for at least 15 minutes. We have found that the most effective way to apply bleach is with a stiff nylon cleaning brush or old toothbrush.
Grout should be scrubbed thoroughly before rinsing off any excess dirt with clean water. After cleaning your floors, make sure to rinse them off with fresh, warm water.
Dry the area with a clean cloth. Make sure to let it sit overnight before using it again – bleaching grout for too long too frequently can make it become brittle, deteriorate the sealant, or even cause crack.
If using an oxygen bleach isn’t to your taste, you can make a mixture of a natural acidic cleaner, such as lemon juice or white vinegar with baking soda, though you will need to scrub more if you are using this option.
Invest In Grout Sealants
A grout sealant is used to protect the grout between the tiles. It acts like glue, keeping the grout from drying out and cracking over time. In addition to protecting your grout, it makes your tile look new, shiny, and vibrant.
You can use a grout sealant to repair damaged grout lines, or simply to give your tile floor a facelift. Having a good grout sealant on your grout can hugely decrease the amount of finicky scrubbing you have to do to get it all shiny and clean.
Final Thoughts
In conclusion, there are many ways to clean your tile floors. The key is to find what works best for you. You may not have to buy anything extra to clean your tile floors; just use what you already have around the house.
Some things we recommend:
- A sponge mop
- Soap
- Dish soap
- Baking Soda
- White Vinegar
- Lemon Juice
- Bleach
- Grout Sealing Solution
Enjoy your clean tiles!