There’s nothing like a newly installed tile floor to make your home feel like a palace. Their shiny yet durable surfaces add beauty, style, and class to any room. But if you don’t maintain your tile floors properly, they’ll eventually accumulate scratches, grime and dirt, and look dull and unappealing.
To keep your tile floor looking in tip-top condition, taking a proactive approach is absolutely necessary. Below are our best maintenance tips to keep your tile floor in top condition:
Deep Clean your tiles when necessary
Deep cleaning goes beyond surface cleaning and really gets into the nooks and crannies of your tile floor. The frequency of deep cleaning will depend on traffic, but try to at least deep clean your floor once a year, or whenever it looks like it needs it.
When cleaning, you won’t have to invest in any specialized cleaners too. Simply mix 1/2 cup of white vinegar with a gallon of warm water, and if you lack vinegar, use rubbing alcohol. With your mixture, mop the floor and then wipe it with a dry cloth.
If cleaning, in general, isn’t in your schedule, consider hiring a professional cleaner. They’ll have all the tools and expertise to get your tile floor sparkling again.
Vacuum or sweep regularly
You’ve probably noticed by now that dust is the first to settle on any surface. It could be your curtains, furniture, or even your tile floor. To keep dust particles from scratching and dulling the surface of your tile floors, it’s essential to regularly dust and sweep the area. Dust accumulation isn’t just unsightly, it’s also abrasive and can lead to scratches if left alone.
If you cannot sweep your tile floors every day, consider investing in a powerful vacuum cleaner. This should allow you to be more time-efficient and provide a deeper clean. It’s certainly better than bending over, and trying to remove every spec of dust from your tile floor with a broom!
Clean spills immediately
We know it can be tempting to let liquid spills dry on the surface of your tile floor and then clean it up later. Unfortunately, later tends to come far too late and the spills can cause staining. These stains build up over time, causing your tile floors to look aged and dull.
To keep your tile floor looking as good as new, keep absorbent clothes such as a microfibre cloth nearby. If your spill is particularly dirty, use a disinfectant such as white vinegar with warm water or a mild detergent solution to clean it up. Urine spills or raw meat, for example, require a more aggressive clean to prevent bacteria build-up.
Use protective mats
Tile floors are gorgeous, but to ensure longevity, it helps to cover them with rugs or protective mats. These act as protective shields against spills, scratches, and dirt. Place rugs or mats near areas that are prone to getting wet, such as your kitchen sink, bathroom shower, and laundry.
Furthermore, investing in a doormat is also a good idea. This will help trap dragged-on dirt and mud from becoming settled on your tile floors. If you don’t want to purchase one, simply ask all residents and guests to leave their shoes at the door.
Keep them sealed
Grout is porous and easily absorbs liquid, grease, and dirt. This also means it’s likely to deteriorate over time and create a breeding ground for bacteria. To prevent this, seal your tile floor with a ceramic sealer once every year. This will also reduce the need for frequent cleaning.
And if cleaning, in general, isn’t in your schedule, consider hiring a professional cleaner. Deep cleaning of your tile floors for grout every 4-6 months ensures they continue to look like new.
Understand What Type of Tiles You Have
When cleaning, you’ll want to know what type of tiles you have. Below are our recommendations for a variety of tile types:
Marble flooring – These require special care and do not handle chemical cleaners, lemon or vinegar due to their abrasive nature. Instead, use phosphate-free soap to clean these floors.
Porcelain tiles – Warm water and vinegar work like a charm for these floors. Aim to clean at least one time per month and ensure to remove all dust is before cleaning.
Ceramic tiles – A standard mop with water should be sufficient. However, for tougher stains you can incorporate vinegar – just ensure to dry your wet floor after you’re done.
Don’t Forget About Your Tiles Grout!
We’ve already mentioned grout once above, but it’s important to mention it again because it really matters. Like with tiles, you won’t need any specialized cleaners to clean grout. Simply mix baking soda with water until you have a paste and use a toothbrush to scrub the grout. Once applied, wait overnight and rinse your paste with warm water.
Remove Mold with Ammonia
Ammonia is a great option for killing mold and mildew. Mix a few drops of ammonia with warm water and use your mop to clean your floor. For tougher stains, soak a sponge into your solution and scrub the area. Just be sure you do a test patch first as ammonia is highly concentrated and can cause fading or discoloration on certain types.
Once you’ve done your mopping, do so a second time if need be. You can then dry your tile floors with a cloth. Just avoid letting your floor air-dry as this grout is susceptible to water damage.
Conclusion
Tile floors offer a great aesthetic and are highly durable, but it’s important to properly maintain them. Above we’ve outlined our top tips for keeping your tile floors in top condition. From cleaning to sealing, our recommendations will help keep your floor looking great for years to come.
Just remember to always identify what type of tiles you have and use the right cleaning techniques and materials. You don’t want to use abrasive cleaners or materials that can damage your floor. And if all else fails, don’t forget to enlist professional help!
Happy cleaning!
