How to Clean Ceramic Tiles

A new ceramic tile floor.

Tile is a durable and beautiful addition to any home, and you should know the proper way to clean it.

To keep your ceramic tile floor looking great for years to come, a little maintenance is required.

Sweeping:

Thoroughly sweeping the floor or vacuuming (use a vacuum without a beater bar) the floor to pick up all dirt, food and grit on a regular basis is recommended.

Sand and other gritty dirt can scratch the floor if stepped on or dragged across the room. Once the floor has been swept or vacuumed, fill a bucket with warm water and get ready to mop the floor.

Mopping:

Mopping is always more fun if you pretend you’re on Dancing with the Stars. Grab your partner; the mop, and begin by working your way from one side of the room to the other and on down the room.

Unless your floor is extremely dirty, you do not need to add anything to the water. However, if you haven’t cleaned the floor in quite some time or if it’s especially dirty, add two to three drops of liquid dish soap to the warm water and mix well.

Don’t add any more than two or three drops, as you’ll create too many suds, making it difficult to rinse it off the floor which can cause the floor to become dull.

Fill a second bucket with warm water to use as your rinse bucket and rinse the mop frequently to remove dirt.

If food particles or other items are stuck to the ceramic floor tiles, put a little water over it and let it sit for a minute or two then gently scrape them up. Don’t use a knife or metal utensil that could scratch the tile.

Change the water as often as needed to keep the water clean and avoid spreading dirty water back over the floor.

Drying the Floor:

Once the floor has been cleaned, dry it with a clean soft cloth, chamois, or a clean towel.

A soft cloth or chamois can be affixed to the end of a floor duster to avoid bending or crawling across the room on your hands and knees. Just be sure the cloths are not pre-treated with a dust spray or chemicals that will end up on your floor and attract dust.

Cleaning Precautions:

Don’t use straight bleach or any other harsh cleaner on ceramic floor tile. Straight bleach can strip the floor’s protective finish.

Once the finish is removed, the tile will look dull and cloudy. It will also become vulnerable to stains, water damage and breakage.

Keeping Your New Tile Floor Clean:

Using floor mats can help extend the life of your tile floors. These help to lessen the amount of dirt and grime tracked on the floor. Another good habit to get into is taking shoes off when entering the home. Keep a decorative basket by the door where shoes can be placed so they are not thrown around to be tripped on.

Try to sweep and vacuum regularly; at least weekly and always prior to mopping the floors.