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Getting Your Tile Floors To Look Like New
Regular maintenance for your tile floors
For weekly maintenance, first sweep up any larger dirt particles and then clean your tile floor with a damp mop. Mopping with warm water will be sufficient for getting an average floor clean. For floors that have been stained with urine or raw meat, get rid of the bacteria by using a stronger cleaning solution. Try mixing a little dishwashing liquid or vinegar into the water, or use a general household cleaner from the store, mixed with water to make a milder solution.
Using the right cleaning instrument is important too. Use a mop with cloth strips rather than a cloth or sponge mop, which does not get into the grout between the tiles. For scrubbing, avoid steel wool or abrasive powders, since these can scratch the tile surface. Instead, an old toothbrush works best for loosening the dirt on the grout.
Heavy cleaning for tile floors
For heavier cleaning, you have a choice between using a homemade cleaning solution or purchasing a full strength household cleaner. As far as possible, avoid strong bleach or ammonia cleaners, which may discolor the floor with regular use. One homemade solution you can try is a mixture of water, white vinegar, and baking soda. Spread the mixture onto the grout, scrub with a toothbrush, and finish off by rinsing the floor area with clean water. Another product you can try is powdered oxygen bleach, mixed with warm water. It is a non-toxic solution and does not produce harmful fumes like other strong household cleaners. The solution works by breaking down the stain molecules as it sits on the grout for a few hours. You can start scrubbing after half an hour to get the best results.
If you decide to use bleach on your tile floor, make sure there is enough ventilation and do not remain in the room for a longer time than you need to. Spray the bleach onto the grout, covering the grout surface completely. Let the bleach remain on the surface for 30 minutes, then scrub with a toothbrush. Rinse the floor with warm water and mop it dry. This last step should always be done after using any chemical solution on your tile floor.
Keeping the grout clean
A great way to keep the grout looking new and make cleaning easier is to seal the grout. This can be done by applying a grout sealer onto the grout, or a tile finisher and sealer that is applied to the whole surface of the tile floor. A steam cleaner that is designed for hard floors is also an excellent way to keep tile floors clean with a minimum of elbow grease: Select a model that has a special attachment for cleaning grout lines and do some research before you buy because there is a great deal of variance in quality and price.
About the Author
Alyssa Davis is a staff writer and specialist in designing traditional interiors with fleur de lis home dеcor and branch leaf wall decor for Metal-Wall-Art.com.
For weekly maintenance, first sweep up any larger dirt particles and then clean your tile floor with a damp mop. Mopping with warm water will be sufficient for getting an average floor clean. For floors that have been stained with urine or raw meat, get rid of the bacteria by using a stronger cleaning solution. Try mixing a little dishwashing liquid or vinegar into the water, or use a general household cleaner from the store, mixed with water to make a milder solution.
Using the right cleaning instrument is important too. Use a mop with cloth strips rather than a cloth or sponge mop, which does not get into the grout between the tiles. For scrubbing, avoid steel wool or abrasive powders, since these can scratch the tile surface. Instead, an old toothbrush works best for loosening the dirt on the grout.
Heavy cleaning for tile floors
For heavier cleaning, you have a choice between using a homemade cleaning solution or purchasing a full strength household cleaner. As far as possible, avoid strong bleach or ammonia cleaners, which may discolor the floor with regular use. One homemade solution you can try is a mixture of water, white vinegar, and baking soda. Spread the mixture onto the grout, scrub with a toothbrush, and finish off by rinsing the floor area with clean water. Another product you can try is powdered oxygen bleach, mixed with warm water. It is a non-toxic solution and does not produce harmful fumes like other strong household cleaners. The solution works by breaking down the stain molecules as it sits on the grout for a few hours. You can start scrubbing after half an hour to get the best results.
If you decide to use bleach on your tile floor, make sure there is enough ventilation and do not remain in the room for a longer time than you need to. Spray the bleach onto the grout, covering the grout surface completely. Let the bleach remain on the surface for 30 minutes, then scrub with a toothbrush. Rinse the floor with warm water and mop it dry. This last step should always be done after using any chemical solution on your tile floor.
Keeping the grout clean
A great way to keep the grout looking new and make cleaning easier is to seal the grout. This can be done by applying a grout sealer onto the grout, or a tile finisher and sealer that is applied to the whole surface of the tile floor. A steam cleaner that is designed for hard floors is also an excellent way to keep tile floors clean with a minimum of elbow grease: Select a model that has a special attachment for cleaning grout lines and do some research before you buy because there is a great deal of variance in quality and price.
About the Author
Alyssa Davis is a staff writer and specialist in designing traditional interiors with fleur de lis home dеcor and branch leaf wall decor for Metal-Wall-Art.com.
