The Best Way To Clean Ceramic Floor Tile
Although it is a very popular floor tile, the best way to clean ceramic floor tile is not well known. Ceramic floor tile can be found in many colors, shapes, and sizes. It is always installed using grout (which may require special attention while cleaning). Ceramic tile floors may or may not be glazed. A glazed floor has a protective coating on it to prevent the floor from wearing and dulling, as well as to protect the grout that holds the tile down. If your floor is not sealed, you may want to consider sealing it to add an extra layer of protection and prolong the life of the floor tiles. Regardless of whether or not your ceramic tile is glazed, the best and most effective process for cleaning ceramic floor tiles is the same.
Clean Ceramic Floor Tile
1: Choosing the right cleaner
There are many tile cleaning products available. You should focus on products made specifically for cleaning ceramic floor tiles. These products are non-abrasive and will not cause damage to the tile surface or grout. Some common household cleaners may scratch, dull or leave a film on the surface of your tile. It is best to purchase a cleaner made specifically for ceramic tiles to avoid unnecessary damage to your floor tiles.
If you have dirty grout lines (stains, large amounts of dirt, etc.), you should purchase an oxygen-bleach based grout cleaning product. These products are inexpensive and, by far, the best and most effective way to clean ceramic floor tiles.
2: Prepare the floor
It is best to start by boiling as much water as you can. This boiling water will expedite loosening all dirt, grease, and other surface stains that have found their way into the tile grout or the porous surface of the floor tile itself. While the water is being brought to a boil, begin vacuuming or sweeping the tile floor. Your goal is to remove any loose dirt, hairs, dust, etc. from the tile surface and the grout lines before actually cleaning the floor tile surfaces. Sweeping takes a little more effort, but is recommended because it allows you to pay special attention to the tiles that are on the perimeter of the floor surface (against a wall, under an appliance, in corners, etc). These "special tiles" are where loose dirt and dust usually build up.
3: Pre-clean rinse and loosen
Now pour the boiling water into the bucket and fill the rest of the bucket with hot water using the faucet. The hotter the water, the better. Do not fill the entire bucket with boiling water - for best results, the water should be hot, not boiling, when you put it on the floor.
Next, using your mop, rinse the floor with the hot water. The hot water will immediately begin to loosen the dirt from the floor tiles and make cleaning your floor tiles much easier. There is no need to apply force when performing this step. Simply wet the mop and be sure to visit the entire floor with hot water. Be generous with the amount of water you use so that the dirt will loosen from the grout lines and tile surface faster. You want all tiles on the floor to be soaked after this step.
4: Washing tiles
Following instructions on your professional cleanser, add the proper amount of cleaner to the bucket of water. The amount of cleaner to use will vary depending on the product you choose. It is best to not mix the tile and grout cleaner - depending on the ingredients of each product, you may create harmful fumes.
Now you can wash the floor. Pay special attention to tiles that have caked-on dirt. Clean the floor by washing in a circular motion, covering each tile multiple times. If the mop does not remove the dirt, you may considering using a sponge to remove it. Sometimes having a small soft-bristle scrub brush available is helpful, depending on the stain you encounter. Again, be generous with the water. Large amounts of hot water will loosen the dirt from the tile surface much better than any other method. It is best to let the floor tiles soak for a while, giving the cleaner time to work. You should have applied plenty of water so that it will not dry by evaporation.
5: Cleaning the grout
The key is using a product that contains oxygen bleach. This is by far the best way to clean ceramic floor tile and the best substance you can use to clean tile grout. The oxygen bleach in the product will minimize the amount of physical work you have to do - because it will "work" for you. Following the instructions on your grout cleaner, clean the grout lines that need special attention. The grout cleaner will usually have instructions for preparing a "high concentration" mix of grout cleaner. This cleaner can sometimes be sprayed on the grout and let sit, or in cases where the dirt is very visible, it is best to have a toothbrush or other small brush that can be used to scrub the grout clean.
6: Rinse
Finally, you must rinse the floor. Do this by emptying, rinsing and filling the bucket with clean hot water. Rinse the mop, sponge and toothbrush as well. Depending on the size of your tile floor, you might be able to use one bucket of rinse water (although a second rinsing is never a bad idea). The goal is to remove all of the water and cleaner from the floor, to avoid leaving a film on the floor tiles.