How to Clean Tile Floors, No Matter What Type (and Grout, ...

Your kitchen or bathroom isn't spotless until you've scrubbed the floors. You don't have to tackle this chore every time you wipe down the countertops, and if you know how to clean tile floors the right way and watch for signs of dirt or grime, you can keep them from getting very dirty.

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A hazy film or dirty grout are indicators that your floors need more than cursory sweeping. When cleaning your tile floors, use the proper technique for your type of tile, as the recommended cleaners and mops vary between materials. This guide explains how to clean tile floors no matter what the material.

Jason Donnelly

How to Clean Tile Floors of All Types

You wouldn't clean a stainless-steel refrigerator with a product meant for an enamel surface. The same concept applies to your tile. While tile floors are incredibly durable, specific tile needs special care. For example, ceramic and porcelain floor tiles are relatively low maintenance, while coarse tiles such as limestone, slate, marble, or granite require individualized care and often specific cleaners.

Laura Moss

How to Clean Tile Floors Made of Ceramic and Porcelain

Ceramic and porcelain are incredibly durable, and a few easy cleaning tips for how to clean tile floors made of these substances can keep them sparkling. Follow this simple process to clean tile floors made of ceramic and porcelain:

1. Clean up loose debris: Sweep or vacuum your tile floors regularly to keep them from getting dull. Ceramic tiles may be resistant to dirt, but sand and grit can dull the glazed surfaces.
2. Choose the right floor mop: Clean tile with mild detergent and clean water using a rag or chamois-type mop ($40, Home Depot) rather than a sponge mop. These mops are best for cleaning tile because sponge mops push dirty water into the grout lines, making them harder to clean.
3. Be on the look for tile stains: If you find discoloration, first try to determine what caused it. Then, use the appropriate cleaner for the stain for the most effective cleaning.
4. Watch for soap residue: If your tiles look hazy after cleaning, you might be dealing with soapy residue. Remove the film with a nonabrasive all-purpose cleaner ($6, Walmart). You could also try a homemade cleaner with a mild acid (such as fresh lemon juice) on ceramic or porcelain tiles (but never on stone tiles).
5. Dry the tiles: Don't let your glazed tile floors air-dry, as the sitting water will form water spots. Instead, take care of that by drying the floor with a clean, lint-free cloth immediately after washing.

Editor's Tip

Be kind to your knees and dry tiles the easy way: Use your foot to slide the cloth over the floor.

How to Clean Tile Floors Made of Stone

Be careful when working with natural stone tiles like slate, granite, or marble. Harsh substances in traditional cleaners can damage the surface of these materials. Instead, this is how to clean tile floors made with natural stone using cleaners specifically for these surfaces.

• Slate Tile: You may also use a mild detergent on slate tiles, as long as it doesn't contain acidic properties, like lemon or vinegar. If your slate tile is coated, avoid water spots by drying the tile right away with a soft towel.
• Marble Tile: Marble makes stunning tile but is also high maintenance. Avoid cleaning marble tile with anything that has an acidic PH level. Cleaners with lemon or vinegar shouldn't be used, as they can etch the tile's surface. Also, avoid anything that may scratch the marble, such as brushes with tough bristles or scouring powders.
• Granite Tile: Like slate and marble, granite tile should be cleaned with a mild pH-neutral detergent. A harsh cleaner risks leaving streaks or discoloration on the tile. You also may want to buff a polished granite floor to keep it looking shiny and clean.

Adam Albright Photography Inc

How to Clean Resilient Tile Floors

Resilient tile, made from linoleum, vinyl, cork, and rubber, is a great option if you want a surface that's easy on the feet and needs minimal maintenance. Keep these tips in mind for how to clean tile floors made of resilient materials:

• Vinyl Tile: This super resilient flooring type is also easy to maintain. Sweep or vacuum up debris and mop with a vinyl cleaning solution or water and vinegar. Never use an abrasive cleaner or scrubbing tool on vinyl, as it may scratch the surface.
• Linoleum Tile: Though it's often mistaken for vinyl flooring, linoleum is a very different material with specific cleaning requirements. After sweeping or vacuuming, wash the linoleum tile with linoleum flooring cleaning solution or borax detergent ($6, Walmart) and water. Rinse clean and let the floor dry. To protect your linoleum floors, apply a coat of wax or liquid wax and buff to a shine every 3 to 6 months.
• Cork Tile: How to clean tile floors made of cork will vary based on the finish on your tiles. If the cork surface is sealed with polyurethane (most cork floors are), clean with water and mild detergent or white vinegar, then rinse well. If the cork is unfinished or waxed, follow the cleaning instructions for polyurethane but apply solid or liquid wax once the tile is dry.

Editor's Tip

Never use a steam mop on these tile types. They aren't designed to stand up to extreme heat or excess moisture.

How to Clean Tile Grout

The real secret to a great-looking tile floor is clean grout. Because grout is porous and absorbs grease and other stains, it can be tricky to keep clean. Here's how to get your grout to look like new:

1. Make a DIY grout cleaner: Skip commercial cleaners and instead make a paste of baking soda and water.
2. Scrub grout: Rub it on the stain, let it sit overnight, then scrub it in the morning with a stiff nylon brush ($9, Walmart) (a metal brush will damage the grout). Repeat as necessary.
3. Seal grout: Apply a silicone-based sealer ($28, Home Depot) to the grout to repel future stains. This technique works best 10-14 days after the grout is installed or renewed.

Note: There's a lot of debate about using a steam cleaner to "deep clean" your tile grout. Some say it's a great way to revive dingy tile, while other pros say it can damage your grout in the long run. A steam mop typically won't harm grout that's in good shape and sealed, but if your floor is older or the grout is damaged, the steam could accelerate the damage and may cause pitting and discoloration over time. Frequent use could also increase your risk of damage.

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How Often to Clean Tile Floors

We recommend a regular dry and wet cleaning schedule to keep your tile looking clean and residue-free.

• Dry clean: Vacuum or sweep at least once a week or whenever you can visibly see (or feel) debris. You can use a soft-bristle vacuum attachment on any type of tile floor, but fitting it into corners or tight spaces may be difficult. Use a hand broom and dustpan to finish the job.
• Wet clean: Plan to mop the tile floor in your kitchen once every two weeks and your bathroom tile floor once a week (germs tend to build up in bathrooms). Take the time to spot-clean your grout once every few months or whenever it's looking dingy.

How to Clean Other Flooring and Floor Coverings

Frequently Asked Questions

• What are some pH-neutral cleaning options?

  The best option for a pH-neutral cleaner, at a rating of 7, is dish soap. Baking soda leans neutral on the alkaline side of the scale, with a pH of 8, while most acidic cleaners like vinegar or lemon juice are pH level 3.

• How can I tell what type of tile floor I have?

  Porcelain tiles are smooth with a fine-grained finish. Ceramic tiles are bumpier and more coarse. If the tile is glazed, check the underside of an uninstalled piece. If you can see the sides of a piece of tile and it's a color other than white, red, or tan, it's definitely porcelain, which carries the color of the tile all the way through the piece. If a tile absorbs any water (turning darker in the process) it is likely stone or terra-cotta.

• Why does my tile floor still look dirty after cleaning?

  The likely cause for dirty-looking tiles is not using clean enough water while cleaning the floor. The water in your bucket must be changed frequently to clean the floors. 

Porcelain tiles offer a resilient, hard-wearing finish for your floors. They are made with different materials to standard ceramic tiles. Sand and feldspar are added to create a denser tile, which is stronger and absorbs less moisture. This makes the tile more stain resistant and easier to maintain.

When it comes to flooring materials, porcelain tiles are one of the easiest to maintain. Vitrified porcelain tiles and smooth glazed-surface tiles are the easiest to clean, but with proper care, unglazed and textured porcelain tiles can be maintained without any difficulty.

Pictured: Quartz Twilight Porcelain Tiles

Here are 5 things you should know about cleaning porcelain tiles:

1 - Sweep or vacuum dust and dirt away

Your first cleaning action should be to get rid of any dust and dirt that has gathered. This can be done daily by using a vacuum cleaner, or it can be swept away. A dry mop is recommended for sweeping, rather than a broom, as this will give better day-to-day protection for the tile surface.

2 - Avoid chemical cleaners containing ammonia, bleach or acids for regular cleaning

Porcelain tiles are heated to fuse the mixture together, giving it similar water-resistant qualities to glass. Regular use of corrosive chemicals can erode the surface of the tile, and increase its water absorption rate. Corrosive chemicals will also erode the grout, which will loosen the tiles and allow water to get beneath the tiles creating dampness. For everyday cleaning of indoor and outdoor porcelain tiles, just use warm water and a mop. Every couple of weeks clean with a mild detergent mixed in warm water. Only consider chemicals to remove any stubborn stains.

3 - Completely wash away detergents

When using a detergent, ensure it is of a low concentration. Textured tiles may need a slightly higher concentration than other tiles. Cover an area of the floor with the cleaning solution and let it stand for about 5 minutes. Then use a mop to clean the area. Do not let the cleaning solution dry. Next, mop the area again with clean, warm water. This will get rid of any detergent residue and prevent water spots or powdery marks.

4 - Stain removal 

Not all stains are created equal. We tend to utilise the same cleaning method for all stains, but this is not the correct way to go about things. Stains should be treated in the most effective way to reduce any long-term damage to the tiles or grout. When dealing with stains only clean the affected area; do not use on the whole floor.

5 - Get rid of stubborn stains with gentle chemical use

Following the above guidelines will give your porcelain tiled floor the best protection it can get, and keep it looking its best. Unfortunately, accidents do happen, and major stains to tiles may need to be treated with a more aggressive approach requiring chemicals. Be aware that these chemicals can lead to a change in colour of the grout. First of all, follow the instructions above and find the best method to clean the particular stain. Make sure you are wearing suitable gloves, a mask, and eye protection, and ventilate the area by opening windows and doors that lead outside. Only clean the affected area.

By following these tips you will keep your porcelain floor in tip-top condition, and increase its longevity.

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Bonus Tip: Place a doormat near the entrance to the room to catch most of the dirt being carried in, reduce the amount of cleaning needed and prevent damage to tiles.

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