Cleaning Ceramic Tile Floors
Secrets for Cleaning Ceramic Tile Floors
Cleaning ceramic tile floors can be especially frustrating because this material simply loves to hold on to dirt, dust, and sticky liquids if it has a textured or un-glazed finish. Many people find that they fork out quite a lot of money on expensive store-bought cleaners designed specifically for ceramic tile, only to find that the chemicals are harsh on one’s skin and can be very dangerous when used in enclosed or poorly ventilated areas. We are going to talk about a few secret tips for cleaning ceramic tile floors with everyday products that most of us have in the kitchen already or can purchase for a minimal price. We will also talk about a few methods you can use to keep your ceramic tile looking like new.
Although ceramic tile is very pretty and extremely durable, it can be very finicky when it comes to cleaning. In most cases, store-bought cleaners will only break down the pretty glaze or cause unnecessary wear on the grout that holds the tiles in place. The best way to ensure that your ceramic tile stays attractive and clean is to take preventative measures that will eliminate any need for a “harsh” cleansing.
Unfortunately, preventative maintenance for cleaning ceramic tile floors means very routine cleaning. This means endeavoring to sweep the tiles with a broom or dust mop every day. If you have a vacuum with soft-bristled attachments for cleaning hard floors, you can use this as well. Try not to use your vacuum without these attachments as that can result in scratching the surface of the tiles. If something spills on the floor, it should be cleaned up immediately using a sponge or rag soaked with warm water.
Ceramic tile certainly isn’t known for getting by between a “good cleaning”. By this, I mean that you really can’t mop it once a week with a harsh cleaning agent and then get by with sweeping the floor three times during the week. Remember, you should never use a harsh cleaner on your ceramic tile! Instead, ceramic tile requires very gentle cleaning methods performed on a regular basis. We mentioned that you should sweep or dust mop every day. In addition to this, you should consider mopping every other day of the week. I know, it’s a real pain and extremely time consuming, but such is the price we pay for having a nice floor! When you mop, aim for the simplest concoction, which is ordinary warm water. This will minimize the excess dirt that tends to build up in the textures of the tile as well as the rough surface of the grout.
Sometimes, though, we need something with a bit more bacteria-fighting power than a well-used mop and warm water. Some examples include something really sticky splattering on the floor or something that can pose a health hazard such as raw meat or blood. In times like these, it’s still best to stick to the simplest concoctions, but ones that won’t pose a threat to your tile or to your health. Let’s take a look at two quick DIY mixtures that you can put together for just such an emergency.
The first concoction involves mixing one cup of plain old vinegar with one gallon of warm water. Mix the solution well, and then hit the deck…or the floor! Unfortunately, for this type of cleaning you’re going to want to nix the mop and pull out your rubber gloves, sponge, and knee pads. Don’t groan—remember that this type of cleaning is only for those once-in-a-while instances when you really need an antibacterial cleanup. Wipe the tiles gently but firmly and be sure to go over the grout several times, as these areas are more likely to harbor bacteria. After you have finished with your scrubbing, go over the area with your usual mop and warm water. This will wipe away any lingering traces of vinegar and will prevent the grout from lightening in color.
The other DIY cleaning mixture involves adding a small amount of very low pH dish detergent to a gallon of warm water. Again, you’ll want to scrub the area by hand using a sponge so that you can really get into the creases. This will ensure that all traces of bacteria are duly scrubbed away. You will also want to follow this method up by mopping with your usual mop and warm water. As detergent has a tendency to streak tiled surfaces, the warm water should minimize this occurrence.
Cleaning ceramic tile floors really does involve a lot of work, but most of it is quick and preventative. Just remember to stick to the simpler methods first and only work up to the heavy duty stuff when it is truly needed. This will prolong the life of your tile by many times, plus the DIY cleansers we mentioned do not pose a health threat to your family or pets which makes them a great deal safer to use than most store-bought cleaners.