How to Clean Tile Floors

Tile flooring is very practical.

It stands up to high traffic better than some other flooring types. The key to keeping a tile floor looking good is regular cleaning.

First, you need to determine the type of tile flooring that you have. There is porcelain (polished and unpolished), ceramic (glazed and unglazed), textured tile, and rubber tile to name a few. Most can be cleaned the same, but there are a few differences.

Porcelain tile flooring is not hard to clean. Before you use any type of cleaner, sweep and/or vacuum up any loose debris and dirt from the floor. Unpolished tile can assume the color of the cleanser that you use so be careful which you choose. Try to find a cleaner that is safe for tile flooring.

Cover a small area of the floor with cleaning solution and hot water. Mix the two on the floor and let the solution stand for ten minutes. A scrub brush can be used to work on tough stains while the cleaner sits on the floor. Remove all traces of cleanser with clean fresh water. Dry the floor with a clean cloth.

Polished porcelain tile requires less elbow grease than the unpolished version. Sweep and/or vacuum any dirt from the floor before cleaning. Mild floor cleaner in warm water can be used to clean the tiles. If the cleaner is too strong or abrasive it could ruin the polished shine of the tile floor. Do not let the cleaner dry on the floor. Rinse it off with clean, fresh water. Dry the floor with a clean cloth.

Textured tile can be a bit tricky to clean. Because the tile is not flat, dirt can settle within the grooves. Vacuum any loose dirt from the floor. Take the broom and sweep back and forth in two directions to bring dirt that could be trapped in the texture to the surface.

Add your cleaning solution to water in a two to one or a three to one ratio that favors the water component. Pour the water with cleaner over the surface. If deeper cleaning is needed in areas, use a scrub brush. Scrub in two directions to clean within the textured areas. Let the solution stand for ten minutes and then rinse with clean, fresh water.

Rubber tile flooring can be cleaned with a general floor cleaner and water. Do not saturate the floor with water because it could loosen the adhesive in the flooring. Use a damp mop to remove the cleaner from the floor.

Ceramic tile can be cleaned similar to porcelain tile. Add cleaner and work it in with a damp mop. Remove the cleaner with fresh water and a damp mop. Dry the floor with a cloth.

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