{"id":2017,"date":"2019-09-27T17:38:54","date_gmt":"2019-09-27T17:38:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/tilebar.com\/learn\/?p=2017"},"modified":"2024-01-18T08:44:58","modified_gmt":"2024-01-18T08:44:58","slug":"how-to-clean-tile","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.tilebar.com\/learn\/how-to-clean-tile\/","title":{"rendered":"Tile Cleaning and Maintenance Guide"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

So you bought some floor tiles<\/a> for your home. Up until now, it\u2019s been great. It\u2019s done its job at making sure that spills didn\u2019t get too unruly, that pet hair didn\u2019t spend too long lingering about, and that any dust bunnies that came to be, quickly perished at your hand. All has been well, and you\u2019re happy that you welcomed a lower maintenance flooring option into your home. 
<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But recently, you\u2019ve started to notice something happen…Your tiles don\u2019t sparkle the way they used to. The grout which was once a certain pigment, is eh, not really that pigment anymore. And what\u2019s that?! A light film coating your tile? Gasp!
<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hold your small freak-out. These occurrences are normal. Just like any other area of your home, tiles require upkeep. For instance, you wouldn\u2019t leave your fridge unattended to for a year, would you? Or your deck not power-washed each season? Tile needs the same love.
<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The signs that you started to notice are of tile that is need of a good scrubbing. Though, not just a wipe-of-the-Swiffer and call-it-a-day scrubbing. A legitimate cleaning session to make it sparkle again, and have grout lines do what they were born to do–define your design. 
<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Scratching your head on how to do that? A little stressed even thinking about the task at hand? Heartbeat steadily increasing as you read about needing to dedicate more than 2 minutes of cleaning towards your tile? 
<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Don\u2019t fret. We have your back. We have the secret sauce, so-to-speak, to make that tile like new again, while keeping your stress levels minimal. This way, you don\u2019t have to freak out and can get down to cleaning like a pro.
<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here\u2019s how to do just that. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

How-To Clean Tile Floors <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"man's<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Step 1<\/strong>: Vacuum Dirt and Debris <\/h4>\n\n\n\n

The most basic step will be the one you\u2019re most familiar with. It\u2019s just a general cleaning of the tile to prep it for the larger task-at-hand ahead. Take a vacuum and clear off any hair, dust, or dirt that is on the surface level of it. This will help you get rid of any initial nasties that will make the scrubbing less pleasant for you. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Step 2<\/strong>: Mop the Floors <\/h4>\n\n\n\n

After the tile has been swiped clean of the usual day-to-day bandits, it\u2019s now time to grab your mop. Fill a bucket with water and a squeeze of soap. Then, go ahead and get your mop on. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Step 3<\/strong>: Spot Clean <\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Tough stains? For this you\u2019ll want to spot clean. In order to do that, make a cleaning paste. That means mixing together one part baking soda and one part water. Grab a soft brush, and scrub it away. Then, using warm water and a washcloth, remove the paste from the floor. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

It should be noted that you should never leave spills on the floor, this is how your floor will stain. So  to prevent this additional cleaning step in the future, be on top of your spills!<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Step 4<\/strong>: Hand Dry <\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Get a cloth and hand dry the floor tiles. This ensures that there won\u2019t be a soapy residue or film on the tiles post-cleaning. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Step 5<\/strong>: Enjoy Clean Floors<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Enjoy your gorgeous, like-new tiles! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

How-To Clean Other Tile Types <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While we just went over general cleaning tips for tile, namely those of ceramic or porcelain body, there\u2018s some specific know-how\u2019s for other types of tile. Below we outline what those are for the other two very popular tiles, glass and natural stone. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

How-to Clean Natural Stone Tile <\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Marble Floors <\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

To keep your large marble floors<\/a> beautiful and timeless, it\u2019s important to maintain them just like any other tile. For this one, you\u2019ll want to dust-mop your floors weekly as a preventive measure. When it comes time to perform a deeper clean, use a biodegradable liquid dish-washing soap that\u2019s phosphate-free. These soap-less solutions will alleviate streaks from occurring. Make sure to dry thoroughly.\u00a0
<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It should be noted that when cleaning marble tile, you should never use anything acidic-based since it will eat away at the natural stone and leave it with etch marks. Yikes!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Learn even more ways to preserve the beauty of natural stone tiles here.<\/a> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Glass and Glass Mosaic Tile <\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

When it comes to cleaning glass, you want to make sure that you don\u2019t end up scratching the surface. To avoid doing that, work with cleaners that aren\u2019t abrasive and don\u2019t have a paste-texture like baking soda. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The best bet is using a solution of half water and half vinegar combined in a spray bottle. You\u2019ll want to spray the solution onto your tile, let it sit for 10 minutes, and then wipe it clean. If there\u2019s a lot of yuck, use a soft brush to scrub and combat it!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What About Those Other Tiled Areas In Your Home? <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Transitional<\/a>
Design By \/\/ Eneia White Interiors <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

We\u2019re talking backsplashes, and shower tiles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cleaning Backsplash<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Your backsplash is the centerpiece of your kitchen or bathroom; yet, it also happens to be victim of well, splashes from cooking or getting ready. To help maintain a shiny, like-new appearance, you\u2019ll want to keep it clean with regular cleaning sessions. If you don\u2019t, then your backsplash will start to look dirty and age the rest of your design.
<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So, to make sure that the latter doesn\u2019t happen, here\u2019s what you should do to maintain the sparkle. Just like all other tile, you should create a cleaning solvent with soap and water. For this, you can place in a spray bottle, apply, and wipe clean. For grease-oriented spots, you will want to use a paste solution that consists of one part baking soda and one part water. Apply to the stain, move in circular motion and then wipe away. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Modern<\/a>
Design By \/\/ Rappaport Homes <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Cleaning Shower Tiles<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Having a clean shower is not only hygienic but important to keep up appearances. That\u2019s why its super important to be on top of your cleaning game in a place that you\u2019re in daily, cleaning yourself. 
<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Luckily, it doesn\u2019t take much to make sure that things remain beautiful and sparkly. Just like most other tile cleaning tactics mentioned, you just need one part vinegar and one part water mixed in a spray bottle. After you spray, apply, scrub with a sponge and wipe off. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Tile Cleaning Products 101 <\/h2>\n\n\n\n