Maintaining and Cleaning Tile Floors

Tile is a popular flooring choice among homeowners for a variety of rooms in the home. This type of flooring is usually readily available, and the floors come in versatile designs that accentuate any home décor. Additionally, the materials are environmentally-friendly and long-lasting. Tile maintenance and cleaning is not time consuming and quite easy to fit into your regular home cleaning routine. By keeping up with the following simple tips for cleaning tile floors, you can extend their lifespan and keep them looking great.

1. Take Precautions

The first step for effectively maintaining tile floors is to actively prevent problems that can cause damage to them. Depending on where you have your tile flooring installed, you may want to use area rugs with pads underneath them to prevent the floor from getting dirty and scuffed – especially in high-traffic rooms of the home. Adding door mats on both sides of your front door can help reduce the amount of dirt and debris that is tracked into the home and onto the tile floors. It also helps to have people take off their shoes when entering areas of your home with tile floors.

If you are soon having tile flooring installed, the flooring professional should install an anti-fracture sub-floor layer underneath the tiles, which can help prevent future cracking.

2. Lightly Clean the Tiles Every Other Day

To keep your tile flooring from getting scratched and stained, regular light upkeep is necessary. This can be as simple as sweeping or vacuuming every other day. In addition, you should clean up spills as soon as they happen. Simply use an absorbent cloth for a small spill. Wipe the floor with a cloth and cleanser or disinfectant if the spill is larger.

3. Mop the Tiles Weekly

Mopping your floors once a week is an important part of a good cleaning and maintenance routine for tile. Use warm water and a cleaner recommended by the manufacturer of your floor in order to avoid damaging the tiles. When you are finished mopping, be sure to dry the floor thoroughly with a microfiber cloth to avoid slips and falls.

4. Clean Tile Grout Monthly

No matter how often you sweep and mop your floors, they are not going to look their best unless you also pay attention to the grout. You can use a commercial grout cleaner recommended by your floor’s manufacturer. Alternatively, use a mild bleach solution to remove dirt and stains. Spray the cleaner on the grout and use a small scrub brush or toothbrush to remove stains. If you are dealing with a stubborn area, you can make a baking soda and water paste at home. Apply it to the stain, let it sit overnight, then scrub it clean the next day with a nylon brush. If you do not want to clean the grout on your own, you can always have a floor cleaning professional handle the job for you.

5. Deep Clean the Tile Floors Yearly

Doing a deep cleaning for tile floors at least once per year is also an important part of tile maintenance. This can be done by scrubbing the floor with a white vinegar and water mixture. Another solution you can use is a combination of low-suds detergent and tri-sodium phosphate. If you prefer to use a commercial cleaner, use one specifically meant for tile or one recommended by the floor’s manufacturer.

6. Call a Professional if you Need to Replace

If you have very damaged or older tile floors, cleaning tile flooring may not be sufficient – it may be time to replace them. Cracked tiles can be dangerous, and older tile can often benefit from an upgrade. If you are looking to replace your tile floors, we can help you find the right flooring contractor for your needs. To make your choice easier, consult Modernize’s interactive checklist for hiring a contractor, which will help you evaluate flooring professionals and make the most informed decision.

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