5 Tips for Cleaning Floor Tile

Tile flooring is a popular choice among homeowners, mainly for its durability, resilience and long lifespan. In fact, it’s so popular that people are now installing tile floors in their homes that resemble hardwood, allowing them to have the appearance of a hardwood floor with the durability of tile. Regardless of your preference, chances are you have some sort of tile flooring in your home. Below are some tips for cleaning floor tile that you can use to prevent a dull appearance.

Sweep or Vacuum Daily

If you can, try to sweep or vacuum your tiles floors daily to loosen and remove dust and dirt that may collect. Although tile is resilient, dirt and sand that works its way into the pores of the tile and grout can be damaging and difficult to remove when it’s set-in. Don’t forget you should always sweep or vacuum prior to mopping.

Mop with Hot Water

If you’re cleaning floor tile that does not have heavy stains, simply mop the floor with hot water to clean and boost its appearance. Break the floor up into sections, and after you mop one sections, rinse the mop with clean water to remove any dirt. Repeat this process until the entire floor is mopped. If there are set-in stains, you can add a small amount of mild detergent or vinegar to the water and proceed to mop as usual. Avoid using an intense cleaner as it can actually make your floor appear dirtier from chemical residue that is left behind and sticks to the tile.

Dry the Floor

Not many people think to dry the floors after mopping and instead, they just let them air dry. However, when it comes to cleaning floor tile, you’ll want to run a dry mop or towel along the floor after you are done mopping. Wet tile and grout can attract dirt and dust that may be lingering in the air, even after you’ve swept and mopped. Drying the floor will help prevent new dirt from accumulating and will keep your tile looking clean and shiny.

Promptly Spot-Clean Spills

To keep your mopping and cleaning efforts worth it, be sure to quickly clean up any spills that may occur. Even if it’s just water, you’ll want to wipe it up right away so it doesn’t attract dust and dirt that may carry to other areas of the floor if it’s stepped in. The longer the liquid sits, the more likely it is to soak into the grout and cause stains or stickiness.

Know When it’s Time for a Professional Cleaning

If you follow the above tips and your tile floor is still dingy, dirty and just not looking like it used to, it may be time to have your tile floors professionally cleaned. Fortunately, Stanley Steemer of South Florida offers tile and grout cleaning to get your floors looking like new. Our experts use cleaners and tools that are gentle yet effective in getting deep into the pores of the tile and grout, lifting out stains and microbial contaminants that your mop wasn’t able to reach. To get a quote, visit our website or call (888)982-3553 today!