Tile floors serve as an attractive and versatile type of flooring for restrooms, breakrooms, and other areas within businesses. For tile floors to look their best, they should be kept free of dirt and cleaned regularly. Matching the type of tile with the correct cleaning technique is key in keeping your floors looking clean. Below is a list of tips that will help make cleaning tile floors a breeze.
Ceramic Tile Floors
- Clean bathroom tiles once a week and kitchen tiles biweekly. Use a cleaning cloth or flat mop, instead of sponge mops since they might push dirty water into grout lines.
- Use warm water or a mixture of warm water and mild dish soap to clean ceramic tile floors. Be sure to add fresh water frequently to avoid using dirty water while cleaning.
- Completely wash and dry one section of the floor at a time.
Bonus Tip: This method is also suitable for wood tile floors, which are made of ceramic or porcelain tile designed to look like wood.
Porcelain Tile Floors
- For unpolished or unglazed porcelain tile floors, use a soft bristle brush and scrub with a mixture of vinegar and warm water. Allow the floor to stay damp for 5 to 10 minutes, then rinse with hot water and wipe dry with a clean microfiber cloth.
- For polished or glazed porcelain tiles, wipe with hot water, and scrub stains with a bristle brush. Wash with a vinegar solution or commercial tile cleaner (diluted to half strength). Wash one more time with hot water to rinse off cleaner, then dry with a towel.
Bonus Tip: Avoid using bleach or ammonia-based products on porcelain tile floors.
Other Types Of Tile Flooring
- Before cleaning the tile, sweep floors with a soft broom (rougher brooms tend to leave scratches).
- Slate tile floors can be cleaned with warm water and a mild detergent mixture. Avoid cleaning products that contain acidic substances like lemon or vinegar.
- Do not use vinegar or chemicals on granite or marble tile floors. Instead, use a mild pH-neutral cleaner, that will help avoid streaks or discoloration of the tile.
Regular Tile Maintenance
Maintaining your tile floors on a weekly basis, regardless of what material you have, is one of the most important steps to having clean floors. Perform the following once or twice a week:
- Sweep tile and grout with a soft bristle broom to remove any dirt or debris
- Vacuum with a brush attachment to remove any dust or remaining particles
- Thoroughly sweep and vacuum immediately before mopping tile floor
Tip: Clean spills and wet spots as soon as possible with a clean cloth, as wet, grimy dirt becomes harder to remove the longer it remains on the tile.
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