When it comes to flooring options, tiles have been a favourite for many generations. Tiles can be beautiful, durable, and competitively priced if you shop around. But one of the main selling points is how easy it is to clean floor tiles! But you still need to know how to clean them properly if you want them to look great without putting in much effort.

You don’t need to scrub your tiles as often as you you wipe down your counters. You should, however, check your tiles for signs of dirt or grime every now and again. Visible dirt can just be swept up, but if your tiles start to look hazy or you see a buildup of dirt in your grout, it’s time to get cleaning.

So keep reading to find out how to properly clean floor tiles. 

Ceramic and Porcelain Tile Floors

These tiles are most people’s first choice when it comes to tiling high-traffic areas like kitchens, bathrooms, and entryways. Ceramic tiles are highly durable, even if they are a bit softer than porcelain. But this means they can get scratched if you aren’t careful. This is why it’s important to clean your floor tiles properly.

The best way to prevent scratches is to regularly sweep or vacuum your tiles; this prevents the buildup of abrasive dirt and debris. Over time these materials can scratch your tiles and also make them appear dull.

You also need to be careful when choosing what type of mop to use on tile floors. You don’t want metal bits to scratch your tiles while mopping, which some sponge mops are prone to do. Sponge mops also tend to push the dirty mop water into the grout lines. This makes them even harder to clean later on.

A microfiber or chamois-type mop will be your best friend when it comes to properly caring for your tiles. If you don’t have these types of mops, a rag will also do just fine. 

When mopping you want to use clean water with a mild detergent. You can use cleaners designed for tile floors, but any mild detergent will work. Be sure to clean the water you use periodically to reduce soap residue.

If your tiles do look hazy after cleaning, or you can spot soap residue, remove the film left by the soap with a nonabrasive all-purpose cleaner. You can also use fresh lemon juice to remove the film if you don’t have the right type of cleaner.

It’s important that you don’t air-dry your tiles. The water will form water spots on your tiles that you need to clean later. So save yourself the effort and dry your tiles with a cloth after you wash them.

Clean That Grout

You can scrub your tiles until they shimmer in the light, but it won’t matter if you don’t clean your grout. 

When your tiles were installed your grout would have been sealed, but that protective barrier can erode over time. It’s a good rule of thumb to reseal your grout every year to ensure it looks as clean and sharp as possible. You can hire a professional tiler to apply this protective layer for you.

But before your grout is resealed, you need to properly clean it first. Unsealed grout is porous, so dirt and germs can easily penetrate it. A good way to see if you need to do some serious scrubbing is to check if your grout has changed colour over the years.

To really clean out your grout you’ll need to use hydrogen peroxide. Hydrogen peroxide is a natural stain remover and works great on discoloured grout.  Pair the hydrogen peroxide with a stiff nylon brush. 

Knowing How to Properly Clean Floor Tiles

Tiles are a great flooring option because they don’t require much upkeep! Especially if you know how to properly clean your floor tiles. They can last a lifetime if you care for them properly, so remember to keep them clean and get the grout resealed once a year.

If you’re looking for a tiler to reseal your grout, or are on the hunt for a home pro to help you with some DIY projects, contact us today.