How To Clean Different Types Of Floor Tiles

Keeping tiles clean requires more than simply vacuuming and mopping. This is why cleaning tile floors can feel challenging, especially if you’ve never had tiles before. Although the tile floor cleaning process isn’t too complicated, there are different ways to deep clean tiles, and these methods will depend on the type of tile floors you have in your home.

So, how do you deep clean tile floors, and are there different ways to deep clean tile based on the tile surface and materials? In this blog, our expert team at Baker Bros has shared how to keep your tiles clean by detailing the deep cleaning process for different types of tile floors.

We’ve also included tips on how to clean grout lines, which can make your tiles look dirty even when they are not. Armed with this knowledge, you can keep your tile floors squeaky clean and polished.

How Often Should You Clean Tile Floors? 

How often you clean your home’s tile floors will primarily depend on how frequently you use a space. Certain areas in your home will require more cleaning than others if they experience more foot traffic.

For example, you might find that you need to clean the tile flooring in your bathroom and kitchen far more often than in your home office or guest bedroom.

On average, it's recommended that you clean high-traffic tile areas at least once a week. The tiled areas that see less traffic can be cleaned once every other week, and rooms that are barely used can have their tiles cleaned once a month.

However, when it comes to deep cleaning tile floors, it's essential to undertake this process less frequently, depending on the area in your home. Like with regular tile cleaning, high-traffic areas need deep cleaning more often.

How To Deep Clean Tile Floors: The Guide To Cleaning Different Floor Types

So, how do you deep clean different types of tile flooring? This will depend on the type of floor you have. There are many kinds of tile floors on the market, so we can’t provide details on every cleaning process.

However, we can tell you how to clean the most common types. So, have a look below to learn more about how to clean ceramic tile floors, natural stone tile floors, and porcelain tile floors.

How To Deep Clean Ceramic Tiles

If you need to deep clean ceramic floor tiles, keep things simple. By following the steps listed below, you can keep your ceramic tile flooring looking and lasting its best for years:

1. To eliminate debris, sweep or vacuum floors routinely to avoid unwanted buildup on tile surfaces. Although highly dirt-resistant, ceramic tiles are susceptible to sand and grit, which can dull the tile surface if left alone for too long.
2. Clean your ceramic tiles with a gentle rag, clean cloth, or mop and a mild detergent, such as dish soap.
3. While cleaning the tiles, tackle grout or tile stains immediately once noticed. Commercial ceramic tile cleaners are excellent for cleaning grout.
4. If your tiles appear dull or hazy after mopping, it could be leftover soap residue. To avoid this, use a natural cleaner of white vinegar and lemon juice to eliminate residue buildup. Unwanted soap stains can also be removed using a non-abrasive all-purpose cleanser.
5. Always dry wet ceramic tiles after cleaning. Air-dried tiles can be unsightly due to water stains. Instead, use a gentle lint-free microfiber cloth to remove excess water and keep tiles streak-free.

How To Deep Clean Porcelain Tiles 

Durable and hard-wearing, porcelain tile flooring is simple to maintain and clean. If you need to deep clean porcelain tiles, following these steps can keep them looking beautiful while ensuring you reap the long-term benefit of tiles that stand the test of time:

1. Sweep or vacuum your porcelain tiles to remove any gritty dirt that could scratch them while you wash them.
2. Wash the tiles with a rag or mop using a non-abrasive, homemade cleaning solution and warm water.
3. Never use ammonia-based bleach products on grouting issues. Instead, wash the grout with a product that won’t degrade your porcelain tiles while mopping.
4. When mopping, avoid steel wool pads and rough-textured scrub brushes to remove stubborn stains. This will safeguard against unwanted damage to your porcelain tiles.
5. Use a dryer to dry your porcelain tiles, or leave them to dry naturally.

How To Deep Clean Natural Stone Tiles 

Even if a natural stone tile has been sealed, regular cleaning is the key to maintaining it. Follow these steps to deep clean natural stone tiles:

1. Sweep and mop dirt using a damp cloth or mop. You don't need chemical cleaners during this process, as regular water will do the trick. 
2. After the floors have been lightly mopped, use a pH-neutral cleaner with warm water. Do not use abrasive cleaners, as they can damage stone tiles during a deep clean.
3. When mopping, gently wash the stone tiles and avoid soaking them. 
4. If you notice any stubborn stains, use a soft-bristled brush and gentle motions to scrub them away.
5. After you have mopped each section, rinse the mop to prevent dirt from tracking onto newly washed tiles.
6. Dry the stone tiles with a soft towel or clean mop. Alternatively, you can let them air dry.

You should also avoid using a pressure washer on natural stone tiles, as it can open the stones' pores, weaken the coating or grouting, and affect the quality of the seal. This eventually leads to the stone saturating, which is bad news.

How Do You Actually Clean Grout On Tile Floors? 

Your tile flooring is held together by grout, and although this grouting is clean and beautiful when first installed, it quickly becomes filthy.

Unfortunately, even if your tiles are sparkling clean, they can look dirty if the grout is dirty. That’s why we’ve shared how to routinely keep your grout clean and perform a deep cleaning of your tile grout when needed.

Routine Cleaning

1. Use gloves to protect your hands while cleaning tiles and grout.
2. Use a commercial cleaner to tackle dirty grout and tiles, following the manufacturer's instructions.
3. You can also make and apply the following recipe using a toothbrush to clean grout: a third of a cup of baking soda, a quarter cup of hydrogen peroxide, and one tablespoon of mild dish soap.
4. Using a cleaning cloth or rag, rinse and wipe each grout line once it has been cleaned. However, ensure no residue remains from the grout cleaner. If you are cleaning tiles and grout on a floor, mop the whole floor once you have finished.

Deep Cleaning

1. Mix a quarter gallon of clean, warm water with one scoop of oxidized cleaner.
2. Pour the solution on the floor in an S-shape.
3. Use a soft-bristled scrub brush to spread it evenly across the floor, giving it a light scrub to work the product into the tile and facilitate easier cleaning.
4. Use a cup with a lip or a pitcher to help control the amount of mixture applied to the floor tile.
5. Once the oxidized cleaning mixture is applied to the floor, leave it undisturbed for 30 to 60 minutes, depending on the level of grout grime.
6. After allowing the oxidized cleaning mixture to sit, mop it up. 
7. Using clean water and a mop, wipe away any remaining residue. As the grout dries, the floor will brighten to its original color.

Buy Easy To Clean Tiles From Baker Bros Today!

Now you know how to deep clean tiles and grout. It's likely much more straightforward than you imagined. As long as you follow the steps and tips we provided, you should encounter no problems maintaining the cleanliness of your tiling.

However, because some tiles are easier than others to clean and maintain, you might want to call Baker Bros. We can help you find new tiles for your home that will require minimal upkeep and easy cleaning. Visit us today and let us help!