One of the main advantages of floor tiles is that they are easy to clean. You can clean high-traffic areas by just sweeping and mopping. However, you’ll need to occasionally deep clean the tiles to get rid of caked-on dirt, especially around the grout lines.
In this article, you’ll learn how to deep clean tile floors effectively.
Step 1: Remove Loose Dirt and Dust
Swirling loose dirt and dust during the cleaning process can scrape and scratch the surface of your floor tiles. Therefore, the first step to deep cleaning is to use a dust mop or soft-bristled brush to sweep up all dust and dirt on the floor.
Avoid using brushes or brooms with bristles strong enough to leave scratch marks. Sweep from one end of the room to the center, and sweep up the collected dust into a plastic dustpan.
Your vacuum cleaner may also come in handy when you’re figuring out how to clean floor tiles most effectively. Some of them can suck up dust from tile floors.
Step 2: Identify the Type of Tile
Some types of tiles may react to the chemical content in certain cleaners, which will lead to discoloration and permanent damage to the top layer. When looking for how to deep clean tile floors, it’s best to use solutions made for your specific tiles whenever possible.
Ceramic
Add some mild detergent to warm water if you’re looking to clean ceramic floors. Mix in a teaspoon of vinegar for unglazed ceramic tile floors to keep soapy residue from settling in.
Porcelain
Glazed porcelain tiles are less prone to acidic damage from harsh detergents, but you’re better off using a mix of mild detergent and vinegar in warm water.
Limestone, Granite, and Marble
You need a solution of pH-neutral detergent to clean tile floors made of these materials. They react strongly with cleaning agents with acidic components, including vinegar.
Slate
Slate tiles are also best cleaned with mild detergent and warm water.
Glass
You can clean glass tiles with an all-purpose cleaner or vinegar solution.
Step 3: Clean the Grout Lines
Unsealed grout lines get dirty over time. You need to make time to thoroughly clean the lines, especially when dealing with old tile floors.
Get a stiff-bristled brush or toothbrush, bend down, and apply a moderate amount of pressure to get the job done.
To avoid acid damage, treat your grout lines like your tiles by using only mild detergent mixed with water. You can also use hydrogen peroxide and oxygen bleach instead of water and detergent.
If you’re wondering how to clean floor tiles naturally, you may use baking soda and vinegar as cleaning agents—as long as you don’t have stone tiles.
Step 4: Remove the Stains
Remove stains as soon as they happen to keep tile floors clean. If you fail to do so, you may have to work a bit harder to get them out. Stain removal is an incredibly crucial part of the process when cleaning old tile floors. Fortunately, there are a few options available to you:
| Cleaning Agent | Type of Stains |
|---|---|
| Hydrogen peroxide | Food-related stains Crayons |
| Club soda Bleach Ammonia Acetone |
Oil-based stains Paints |
| Poultice | Rust |
| Lacquer thinner | Ink Water-based paint stains |
Avoid mixing chemicals to reduce the risk of triggering dangerous reactions. You should also wear protective clothing and a nose mask when handling chemicals.
Step 5: Mop the Floor Tiles
With your grout lines clean and stains removed, it’s time to mop the floor. Avoid using sponge mops as they are likely to absorb and spread dirt. It’s best to use a microfiber mop or lint-free cloth for the task.
Change the cleaning water frequently to ensure you’re not spreading dirt around. Start from one end of the room and work to the other. Mop a second time if you notice a dirty haze or streaks across the surface.
Step 6: Dry the Floor
Dry and buff the floor immediately after mopping. Air-drying your floor tile increases the chances of streak formation. Excess moisture seeping into the grout may cause unwanted expansion as well. Use a clean, lint-free cloth to dry the floor. Move quickly and methodically before some parts start to air-dry.
Conclusion
If you want your tile flooring to continue to look its best, you need to deep clean it periodically. The steps above on how to deep clean tile floors will have your floor looking like new in no time.
Is your tile floor damaged in some parts? Call us today at (253) 843-7909 to repair the affected areas.
