Tile is a wonderful flooring option because it’s a beautiful, low-maintenance material. Tile floors are easy to keep clean because all you need to do is regularly sweep or vacuum them, plus wipe up any spills immediately.
When it’s time for a more thorough job, here’s how to clean tile floors.
The Best Way to Clean Tile Floors Step-by-Step
- Sweep or vacuum the surface to remove dirt and debris. Make sure to get in all of the corners, where dirt and crumbs collect. Here’s how often you should really be vacuuming.
- Wipe the floor clean. You can effectively clean a tile floor simply using warm water. You can also mix in a commercial cleaner, following all manufacturer instructions, or make a natural solution by mixing one cup of white vinegar with one gallon of warm water.
- Clean your tile floors using a sponge, soft cloth or mop. Whatever device you use, make sure to rinse or wring it out well between dips into the bucket. There are some possible dangers in using a steam mop to clean tile floors.
- If you’re using water with a commercial cleaner or vinegar, rinse the floor with clean water afterward.
- Make sure to let your floor dry completely before walking on it.
How Do You Remove Stains from Grout?
Grout is what holds your tiles together. You need to keep your grout clean, too, or else your flooring won’t look as nice and if the grout deteriorates, you’ll end up with unsightly loose tiles. The best way to keep your grout clean is to seal it after the tile is installed. Sealants provide a barrier that helps keep out stains, dirt and water. Grout needs to be re-sealed every six months or per the tile manufacturer’s instructions.
These cleaning mistakes may be making your home dirtier.
Whether or not you’ve sealed or re-sealed your grout, it can become dirty. To clean it, create a solution of equal parts water and hydrogen peroxide. Then scrub the grout with this mixture, using a toothbrush. You can also clean grout with this magical grout pen.
Now that you know how to clean tile floors, it’s time to wipe up your own!
Believe it or not, you might need to avoid cleaning these surfaces with a Swiffer.
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The post How To Clean Tile Floors the Right Way appeared first on Taste of Home.
Melanie Radzicki McManus