Tips for Keeping Tiles Clean

There are fewer areas of a home more difficult to keep clean than the floors. It seems like the moment after you vacuum, sweep, or mop, someone walks through with dirty shoes (or paws) or spills a drink or food on the floor. While nothing can be done to completely stop your home’s floors from ever getting dirty, if you follow a few easy steps, there are ways to keep your floors clean and prevent dirt from building up as quickly between cleanings. This is especially true for keeping tiles clean.

Are Tiles Easier to Keep Clean Than Other Types of Flooring?

Depending on the type of tile you have, it can be easy to clean. In many cases, easier to clean than other types of flooring, such as carpet or hardwood. Tiles that are considered easy to clean, include glass, vinyl, laminate, porcelain, and natural stone.

How to Clean Tile Floors

Cleaning tiles can vary depending on the type of tiles you’re cleaning:

• Natural Stone – If you’re dealing with floors made from marble, granite or slate, you should avoid using certain cleaning products, because the chemicals in some traditional cleaning products can damage natural stone tiles. Your best bet is to use cleaners that are made for that specific type of stone flooring (usually some sort of mild detergent). For granite, you should use a pH-neutral cleaner. For marble, make sure not to use anything acidic, like something with vinegar or lemon in it for instance. Also, do not use any sort of brush or cleaning instrument that is rough on marble, because it could leave scratches. For slate, also avoid using cleaning products containing lemon or vinegar. In addition, you should dry slate with a towel (soft) immediately after cleaning it to avoid leaving water spots.
• Linoleum and Vinyl – This type of material is easy to clean. For vinyl, just sweep up debris (or vacuum) and mop the floor with water and vinegar or a specialized vinyl cleaning solution. Just make sure to avoid using anything with a rough surface to clean vinyl, because it can scratch easily. For linoleum, you can still sweep and/or vacuum, but when you mop, use borax and water or a specialized linoleum cleaning solution. Also, you will need to wax and buff a linoleum floor every few months.
• Porcelain and Ceramic – This type of tile flooring is very durable, which can make it hard to keep clean. Sweep or vacuum ceramic and porcelain tiles regularly. Debris can wear away the glaze on the surface of the tiles, which can leave them looking dull if they’re not swept or vacuumed regularly. Don’t use a sponge mop to clean these types of floors, because sponge mops will push dirt into the grout lines around the tiles, which makes them harder to clean. It’s best to use a rag or chamois mop to clean porcelain or ceramic tiles. If you notice a soapy residue, try using a non-abrasive cleaner to remove it, such as lemon juice. Always dry your ceramic and porcelain tiles with a clean cloth right after you clean them. If you allow them to air dry, it can lead to water spots.

How to Keep Tile Floors Clean

Once you have gotten your tiles clean as a whistle, the last thing you want is for them to get dirtied up right away. Here are some tips that can help you prevent dirt and other substances from dirtying up your tiles as quickly between cleanings:

• Deep Clean – It’s important to give your tile floors an occasional deep cleaning to restore them to their original luster. While regular cleanings are enough to keep your tiles looking good, deep cleanings can help remove harmful debris that regular cleanings can miss. Most local hardware stores have deep cleaning equipment and supplies you can use that is made specifically for your type of flooring. In addition, you can hire a professional deep cleaning service to come to your home periodically to clean your floors.
• Doormat/Rugs – Make it a habit to keep doormats at every door to your home and lay down a few area rugs around your home if possible. This will help prevent dirt from being tracked onto your tiles, which can leave an immediate mess as well as result in long-term damage due to debris leaving behind scratches.

To Learn More About Tile Care and Maintenance, Call or Visit Austin’s Floor Store Today

Here at Austin’s Floor Store, we have been providing our neighbors in Austin and Cedar Park with excellent service since 2010. We offer flooring options, including carpet, tile, laminate, vinyl, and hardwood. In addition, we provide services such as free estimates, in-home measurements, financing, installation, and warranties. If you need flooring for your home, come by one of our three locations in Austin, Cedar Park, and Pflugerville or take advantage of our shop at home services and let us bring flooring samples to you. For more information about keeping tiles clean or anything else flooring related, give us a call or check out our Facebook page today.