What is the best way to clean tiles?

The most effective tile cleaning depends on the type of tiles you are trying to clean. Generally, your tile cleaning needs to be regular to be effective. While different tiles require different types of cleaning, the mechanism is always the same:

1. Vacuum and sweep the tiles
2. Clean with an appropriate tile-cleaning product
3. Rinse
4. Dry the tiles
5. Apply wax or sealer if necessary

While this is all the same, there are also some differences in the way different tile cleaning is done, so let’s look into that. The most commonly used kitchen, floor and bathroom tiles are:

• Ceramic tiles
• Porcelain tiles
• Stone tiles
• Vinyl tiles

There are many more, but you will find these in most households. Their composition gives them different properties, so they react to different cleaning solutions in different ways. However, when tile cleaning, don’t forget your grout. It needs thorough cleaning from time to time, as well.

Grout can be a big issue when it comes to cleaning because it is an entirely different material than your tiles. If it is not applied properly and sealed as it should be, it can cause issues like persistent mildew and mould.

That is why you need a professional tiler to do your tiling in the first place. Get quotes for your tiling so you can get a professional to do your tile work without overpaying it.

What Is the Best Cleaning Solution for the Ceramic Tile Floors?

The best tile cleaning solution that works on ceramic tile floors is a combination of water, vinegar, and dish soap. The next in line is the recommended tile cleaning product that your tiler or the tile manufacturer informed you about. Whatever you choose to use, here are the steps to ceramic tile cleaning:

1. Sweep the tiles or use a vacuum to make sure all the small debris is out of the way.
2. Make a bucket full of water with a solution of your choice. If you are opting for a homemade tile solution, drop just a quarter of a cup of white vinegar and a drop of dish detergent. If your tiles get cloudy after using this solution, it means that you put too much of the stuff in the water.
3. Use a microfiber towel to wash the tiles with this solution.
4. Rinse with clean water.
5. Dry them with a rug, or let them air dry.

There are no complications when it comes to ceramic tile cleaning. In most cases, even plain warm water will do the trick if you maintain your tiles regularly. The step with dirt and debris is important because it can get stuck in the grout.

You don’t want that as it can help the mould grow in it, and you can never make it look clean. The tile solution with vinegar and dish soap will also make your ceramic tiles shine and refresh their gloss.

How Do You Clean Porcelain Tiles Without Streak?

The secret of porcelain tile cleaning without streaks is in the perfectly clean mop, thorough vacuuming and the right amount of cleaning agent in the water. Here are the steps to follow:

1. Sweep and vacuum your tiles. While sweeping will get rid of the larger pieces and debris, the vacuum will take care of the finer dust. Dust and dirt don’t look like much when they are dry, but in contact with water, they tend to leave ugly mud-like streaks that dry on your tiles.
2. Mix the water with the tile cleaning solution of your choice and mop the floors. Your mop needs to be entirely clean. Wire it will every two movements, and if you notice that your bucket with water is gray, pour it out and make a new solution.
3. Rinse the floors with warm, clean water.
4. Dry the floors with towels so that you avoid streaks.
5. Polish the dry tiles with the dry rug.

When cleaning porcelain tiles, you need to make sure whether your tiles are glazed or unglazed. If they are unglazed, you should always clean them with alkaline solutions and stay away from bleach and possible acid-based solutions. Acid-based products can be used on unglazed tiles sparsely and only if they are horribly stained.

What Cleans Stone Tile Floors?

Stone tiles are a bit more challenging for maintenance. You need to be careful not to use highly abrasive tile cleaning agents, as they can cloud and damage your tiles over time. The same goes for the strong and hard brushes and cleaning tools.

This is how you do tile cleaning when you have stone tile floors:

1. Dust the tiles and vacuum them to remove particles that can get stuck in your grout.
2. Wipe the tiles with a microfiber cloth and a mild solution of special stone soap and water.
3. Brush the grout with soft bristle brushes and a specialised grout cleaning agent.
4. Give the stone tiles another wipe with the stone soap.
5. Inspect the stone tiles to find any stubborn stains.
6. Clean the soap scum and stains with the tile cleaning solution of ammonia and water.
7. Rinse thoroughly
8. Dry with gentle clothes

What Do You Use to Clean Luxury Vinyl Tile?

Your luxury vinyl tiles can look absolutely amazing, but if you have them on your kitchen floors, stain removal can be a bit challenging. Here is how you should do your tile cleaning if you have vinyl tiles:

1. Get rid of all the dry dust and particles that you can before using the water and detergent tile cleaning solution.
2. Make a water and detergent solution using special tile cleaning products suitable for vinyl tiles.
3. Wipe the tiles with a damp cloth. Don’t soak or wet the floor, as that can cause some serious damage.
4. Wipe the tiles again using only water to remove the detergent and tile cleaning agents.
5. Dry the vinyl tiles completely.

Sometimes, you will have to remove stubborn stains from your vinyl tiles. If that happens, you should use a soft bristle brush. Other brushes will damage the surface and fade your tile.

As you can see, tile cleaning for different types of tiles is not the same. Some require more care, while others are more resilient. Before installing your tiles, you should ask your tiler about the maintenance of your future tiles. That is as important as the cost of tiling. If you don’t plan on doing a lot of tile cleaning, choose more durable tiles. If you don’t mind wiping them regularly, you’ll have a wider range of options.

Either way, when you are looking for a professional to do your tiling work, the type of tiles you are using is one of the factors that are forming their tile installation cost. Ask for quotes from several tilers before you choose your pro.