Dry Surface Tile Floor Cleaning
Sweep your floors frequently to remove loose dirt and dust. If possible, keep a pair of shoes for house use only. Small stones and debris brought indoors on the bottoms of shoes can scratch tile floors.
Spot Cleaning Floors
- Clean spills immediately. Although most tiles are glazed and stain-resistant, the grouts are porous.
- Dry small drops and splashes since even clean water can leave dull marks.
- To spot clean water marks and smears, wipe with a damp cloth and dry.
- Keep a scraper handy to gently remove crayon marks, grease smudges and food droppings that adhere to the tile. Always be careful to avoid scratching the tile.
Mopping Tile Floors
Many floor cleaners and bleach can leave a film on your tile floor’s surface. This may be apparent when you view the floor from certain angles or under certain lighting conditions.
To avoid this dull residue, use only warm water when mopping and dry the floor afterwards. If you do insist on using a cleaner, select a product which doesn’t require rinsing, and add only a tiny amount to your bucket of water.
Tougher Stains
Sometimes stains or marks are resistant to mopping. A residue is especially common after a new tile floor has been installed. Spot cleaning with a mild acid solution, followed by a prompt and thorough rinsing, helps remove such residue and other stains.
Acid solutions can eat away grout, so rinse well. Remember to keep the room ventilated.
For floor grout stains, use a toothbrush to target the problem area. Use a mild acid solution and rinse immediately. Resistant stains might require replacement of a small section of grout.
Soap Scum on Bathroom Tile Walls
The easiest way to remove soap buildup from ceramic tile is to use a dry, slightly abrasive cloth on a dry tile surface. Try a plastic kitchen scrubber, plastic bristled brush, or even extra fine steel wool pad. Test an inconspicuous area first to be sure the tile won’t scratch, and then work in a circular motion The dry soap scum should fall to the floor as a powder which can be rinsed away.
If you are worried about scratching, vinegar also works well, but it requires more elbow grease and you'll need to ventilate the bathroom.
Cleaning Tile Grout in the Bathroom
Before buying commercial products or using bleach, try these solutions.
Vinegar is a safe, eco-friendly cleaner. Use a sponge to apply vinegar to the grout, and a toothbrush to scrub stubborn areas. You can also try using a paste made from baking soda and water or cleaning the grout with hydrogen peroxide.
Kitchen Tile Backsplashes
Wipe tile walls near the stove, sink and work areas frequently. When frying, clean the tile before grease splatters have dried.
A scraper is helpful for gently removing dried-on grease and food splatters. Follow up with a cleaning product safe for ceramic tile.
For general cleaning of large wall surfaces, dust the tiles with a dry or damp cloth. If tiles are dirty or smudged, try a mild cleaning product. Buff dry.
Other Tile Care Tips
- Ceramic and porcelain tile can chip. Be careful when moving furniture and handling heavy objects.
- A sealer applied to tile grout will help protect from stains and preserve color.
- Keep a small squeegee in the bathroom to wipe excess water from tile walls after showers. This helps prevent water marks and soap scum buildup.
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