How to Clean Tile Floors?

Tiles are a popular flooring option due to their elegant look and versatility. In addition to these, they are durable and don’t demand too much effort for maintenance. However, this is the part in the house that needs much attention as it easily becomes victim to muddy trainers, wine stains and food spillages, as well as all kinds of bacteria from pets, etc.

If you are here, it means you have faced some difficulties and are wondering how to clean tile floors. No worries, here we discuss several options for tile and grout cleaning and get your tiles look spick and span again.

The flooring in your home is one of the key features that your guests will notice when they first walk into your home. If you have a clean tile floor, it will likely set off the rest in your home, that’s why it’s so important to keep it beautiful and well maintained.

Luckily, you will find it takes half the time to get clean tiles compared to doing a deep clean of a carpet or a rug.  Also, it is worth to mention that while there are slight differences between ceramic and porcelain tiles the cleaning tips described below can be used for both types.

With that being said, let’s get into it.

Floor Tiles Cleaning

First of all, we need to get rid of loose dirt, sand or other debris by vacuuming or sweeping the floors. Next you can start cleaning the tile surface of any dirt, stains, or bacteria. All you need for this is to get yourself a mop and warm water. You can also use a floor cleaning solution or add some neutral soap to the water. But be careful with the soap as it may leave a slight film on the tile surface.

One scrub with some warm water is enough to lift off most of the stains. If you are still having trouble, then try adding a little vinegar to the water and give that a try. After rinse it thoroughly with plain hot water.

Leave it air dry or better dry it yourself with a clean cloth or towel to prevent water spots.

Tiles Cleaning In The Kitchen and Bathroom

Unsurprisingly, the kitchen and bathroom will need a little more work for tile and grout cleaning. If you want a clean tile floor in these areas, then you will need to put in some real effort.

These are areas of the house that will get the most food stains, moisture causing mold, and soapy suds trodden into the tiles.

First of all, try to clean the tiles with hot water and soap to get off most of the residue. For the tougher stains that remain, you can use a special stain remover for kitchen and bathroom tiles. If you don’t have that at hand, then a steamer can be useful.

Apply the hot steam to the area and then wipe clean with your soap and water solution.

How To Clean Tile Grout?

These are the lines between the tiles that hold the tiles together, and they just so happen to be the hardest parts to clean. They are usually quite porous and will hold onto a lot of the moisture and dirt.

Grout is typically made from latex, different types of plastics, and sometimes sand and cement. The more modern your tiles are, the more likely they are to be made from stain-resistant materials, but if not, don’t worry. Here is how to clean grout.

Grab yourself some hot water and your grout brush if you have one. If not, you can use any firm brush that has stiff bristles to lift up the dirt.

Apply the hot water and get stuck into the grout with some elbow grease. Most of the dirt should come away, given enough time and effort.

Use Steam for the Toughest Stains

Don’t use any other types of cleaner for grout or bleach for the tiles. You will usually do more harm than good. This will damage the materials and can fade the designs/color of the tiles. Water is the best bet as it is has a neutral pH.

If you are having a lot of trouble getting the stains up, then revert to the steam tactic and use soapy water.

How Should I Remove the Mold?

No home should have mold present in it at any time. If you notice your grout has mold in its grooves, then you need to get rid of it. The best way to do this is to buy special mold remover.

You can get rid of the mold using the methods we have listed above, but as mold can be potentially hazardous to health, it is better to treat it seriously.

Use gloves while cleaning the mold. Try to keep the room less humid in the future, as this is most likely the cause of the mold.

Keep On Top of It

If you are considering to get tile flooring then go for it. As you see it is easy to maintain. The best way to keep on top of it is cleaning the floor more often. If we leave our tiles for too long, it can seem like a huge job to take on, and it can seem overwhelming.

Take a few minutes out once a week to clean the most used areas of your house and keep the tiles clean before they get too dirty. This is especially important for kitchens and bathrooms. Otherwise, you will need home remodeling contractors to fix it all.

Hopefully, by now, you know how to clean tile flooring. Thanks for reading!