Tile Floor Care Tips

Tile floors are, without a doubt, nice to have. They look good and are easy to clean on your own. Still, over time, tiles can lose some of their shine and color, and grout can become filthy after a short period of time just from people walking over it. Since tiles and grout need separate attention, we'll give you tips on how to handle each.

Keeping Your Tile Floors Looking Good

Speed of intervention is key when wanting to preserve tiles' condition. If something spills, don't think you can wait for your scheduled mopping and expect the stain to go away. It's going to harden, and attempts to remove it yourself could damage the tile to a point where you'll need help from professionals.

As soon as you notice a filthy spot, you should make an effort to swipe it with a wet cloth or a mop soaked in soap or mild detergent – this stands especially true if there is a threat of discoloration. The longer you leave whatever spilled on the tile, the more color it stands to lose. Of course, we can't be wiping our floors all day and night, but a quick swipe of a localized area can save you a lot of trouble later on.

When choosing the detergent you will use, make sure it's mild but strong enough to produce results. Never pour commercial cleaners directly on the tiles, as this will almost certainly damage them. Instead, dilute the chemical with plenty of water until you create a mixture that only has a moderate amount of bubbles.

Also, keep an eye out for certain types of food as well as substances like wax. These can adhere to tiles to an extent where you'll be forced to inflict damage on the tile to completely remove the substance. While the following seems obvious, it's still worth mentioning: keep any heat away from the tiles, including very hot substances, as these can cause permanent discoloration.

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Dealing With Grout

Grout is a whole other beast with its own set of rules for those wanting to tame it. Mopping across the tiles will only clean grout partially. After a certain point, you'll have no choice but to apply specific cleaning methods, or you'll be forced to endure grout that is not only dark but also a potential carrier of bacteria.

To do a proper job, it's best to forgo any industrial cleaner and instead go for a natural solution. For less severe cases, you'll probably be able to do with mixing baking soda and water. In the case of particularly dirty grout, you'll need to mix the soda with vinegar to create a powerful, yet gentle liquid. Apply the mixture evenly across the grout with the help of a brush, making sure to minimize exposure to tiles. Leave it overnight, then wash away and repeat the process if necessary.

Remember not to mop across the grout while the substance is doing its magic – it would also be best if you can minimize walking across it, especially in dirty shoes. Eventually, you should see improvements, but give us a call if you can't accomplish the desired effect.​

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