How to Clean Floor Tiles
Regular sweeping helps to remove debris from your floor but sometimes a more intense clean is needed to bring your tiled floor back to life. If you notice a thin layer of dirt or grime building up on your floor tiles then it may be time for a more thorough clean. But where should you start?
Use our simple guide below to learn how to clean floor tiles, whatever the material, with materials found in your cupboard.
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Learn how to clean floor tiles effectively below.
How often should I clean floor tiles?
We recommend sweeping or vacuuming floor tiles at least once a week to remove the top layer of dirt and grime. To remove further dirt it is important to wet clean or mop, a tiled floor in the kitchen once a fortnight and once a week in the bathroom. Grout can be spot-cleaned on a monthly basis or as required.
How to clean floor tiles
Sweep
Dirt, sand and dust ruin the shine on your floor and make it look dull. But before wet-cleaning floor tiles, it is important to remove the top layer of dirt to prevent it from being pushed around. Always start by sweeping your floor with a soft brush, such as a dustpan and brush, and creating a pile of dust to be hoovered up as necessary.
Top tip: use a damp microfibre cloth to pick up smaller dirt
Choose the right mop
When learning how to clean floor tiles, it is crucial to use the correct mop to prevent damage to your tiles.
Floor tiles that are more delicate, such as metals, cement or natural stone should be cleaned with a rag-type mop as they can be easily scratched. Floor tiles that are more durable, such as ceramic and porcelain, can handle a more robust mop or scrubber if needed.
If you’re unsure about the material of your floor tile then spot test a mop and cleaning solution in a hidden area first, allowing it to fully dry before continuing.
Start mopping
Mix one cup of white vinegar into a bucket with two litres of hot water to create a simple and effective cleaning solution. The vinegar will cut through any grease and remove bad odours.
The vinegar smell will dissipate quickly and does not linger once it has dried but you can add a few drops of essential oil to the cleaning mixture if preferred.
Top tip: avoid using vinegar on natural stone floors and marble floors as this can lead to discolouration. Instead, replace it with a little washing-up liquid.
Run the mop over the floor in gentle, even strokes ensuring that no puddles are created.
Replace the bucket water as frequently as needed to prevent dirty water from making the floor look ‘cloudy’ due to grease and dirt.
Tackle grout
If left untreated, grout can leave stains on floor tiles. You can clean these floor tiles by mixing a few tablespoons of water with a tablespoon of baking soda until a paste is created. Place the paste over the grout, or the stain on the floor tile, and leave to work for ten minutes. Remove with a soft, damp cloth.
Dry
Use a clean and lint-free cloth to remove any water spots on the floor. Once most of the moisture has been removed from the tiled floor then the rest can be left to air dry.
This simple guide looks at how to clean floor tiles using materials already in your home. Browse our blog for more chemical-free cleaning tips.
