Did you know that U.S. floor coverings sales brought in $25.5 billion in 2017`?
Using tiles or wooden flooring has become a popular trend in the last few years. Some reasons for this could be because they are easier to clean and are low maintenance.
If you’ve recently installed new tile flooring, we have the lowdown on everything you need to know about maintaining your floors, including how to clean tile floors.
How to Clean Tile Flooring: The Basics
Cleaning tile floors is relatively easy to do but it does need to be done regularly. You should dry clean your tile floor at least twice a week. In this instance, dry cleaning refers to sweeping or vacuuming. You need to then wet clean or mop your tile flooring every two weeks (for kitchens) and every week (for bathrooms).
Why do you need to regularly clean your floor? Regularly cleaning your floors can help to maintain the materials and prevent them from getting damaged. Cleaning your tiled floors can also help you to ensure your house is clean and safe.
Different types of tile flooring will need different cleaning techniques. What works for a certain tile material might not work for another, so be sure to clue yourself up on how to clean your floor.
What to Clean Tile Floors with
There are several tools and pieces of equipment that you will need before you can start cleaning. Some of these you might already have around the house, others you might need to purpose from a store before you start cleaning.
- You’ll need a dustpan and brush, and/or a vacuum. It might be easier to clean larger spaces with a vacuum, but if you prefer a dustpan and brush then these can work just as effectively.
- You’ll need a mop and a bucket for when you do your wet cleaning.
- You might choose to use regular soap to clean your floor. Alternatively, you might prefer to get an all-purpose cleaner.
When cleaning tiles, you will also need access to warm water. Be sure not to use too much soap or too much all-purpose cleaner, otherwise, you might be left with streaking on the tiles.
Cleaning Ceramic or Porcelain Tiles: A Step by Step Guide
Most people will have ceramic or porcelain tiles in their homes. They are very easy to maintain but like all flooring, they do need to be cleaned regularly. All types of soaps and all-purpose cleaners work well for cleaning ceramic and porcelain tiles.
- Dry Clean the Floor
The first thing you need to do is dry clean the floor. Don’t be afraid to get into the corners, that’s where you’ll find lots of dirt. It might be beneficial to use a microfiber cloth to quickly pick up dust and hair.
- Mix the Cleaner with Warm Water
Once you’re satisfied with the dry clean of your floor, mix together the cleaner and water. Then dip your mop into the bucket and squeeze out any excess water. Cleaning your floors works best when you have a damp mop, instead of a soaking one.
Then run the mop over the floor in gentle strokes. Be sure to start from one side of the room and work your way across, that way you won’t miss any spots.
- Change Water When Necessary
If you’re doing a particularly large room or you’re cleaning the whole house, then you will need to change the water. As you clean the floor, the water will get dirtier and dirtier, so to avoid cleaning with dirty water, make sure you change it when you need to.
- Dry the Floor with a Clean Cloth
Some floors need to be dried once you’ve cleaned them. This is because there are water spots left behind when you’ve mopped. To avoid getting these on your floor, make sure you use a clean cloth to dry the floor after you’ve mopped it.
Tips for Cleaning Marble or Natural Stone Tile Floors
Natural stone flooring such as slate, granite, and marble floors can be cleaned using the above steps. But you should ensure you use a soft-bristled brush or broom when you’re dry cleaning the floor. This is because these tile floors are more likely to scratch, so don’t brush or scrub these floors too hard.
Another thing you need to be mindful of when cleaning slate or marble floors is to use the right cleaner, avoid using anything acidic. You also need to be sure that you use the right cleaner for granite floors as they need pH-neutral cleaning products otherwise they might start to lose their color.
Tips for Cleaning Vinyl or Linoleum Tile Floors
Vinyl and linoleum tile floors are a cheaper alternative to stone or ceramic tiles, but they also need to be maintained and correctly cleaned. It goes without saying that you need to avoid extreme heat and moisture on these floor tile types.
For vinyl floors, you can dry clean the floor and then mop it with a cleaning product that is recommended by the manufacturer. Ensure you don’t use abrasive cleaners, as these can scratch and damage vinyl.
For linoleum floors, you can dry clean the floor and then mop it with a solution that works with linoleum. Alternatively, you can use a mixture of borax and water. To ensure the floor remains shiny, apply a coat of wax and buff the floor every 3-6 months.
Are you thinking about upgrading your flooring? Have a look at this article that explains what is VCT flooring and goes into detail about whether VCT flooring is right for you.
Follow Our Guide on How to Clean Tile Floors
If you want a sparkling house then you need to clean everything. And yes, this includes your floors too. But don’t worry, with our guide on how to clean tile floors you should have it done in no time, allowing you to get on with the things that are important to you.
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