How to Clean Tile Floors: Porcelain, Ceramic & Marble Floors

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cleaning tile floors with brush

How to Clean Tile Floors: Porcelain, Ceramic & Marble Floors

Do you have tile flooring? Or are you thinking of installing flooring with ceramic tile, porcelain tile, and marble tile? If so you may naturally be curious to know how to clean tile floors. Knowing how to properly clean tile floors is an essential part of maintaining the beauty and quality of your investment. Caring for your tile floors with a gentle touch will keep your tile and grout looking like new. Don’t forget that you have a chance to clean your tiles with tile cleaners in our shop.

There are a few nuanced rules to deep cleaning ceramic, porcelain, and marble floors. Once you know what they are you can effectively give your tiles the TLC they require. From easy, breezy care to specialty cleaners will break down the best methods for how to clean grout and tile floors. As Marble Systems, we will also talk about how to deep clean tile floors to help you prevent stains and damage to your porcelain tiles, ceramic tiles, and marble tiles.

 

cleaning marble floor tile

 

How do deep clean ceramic tile floors?

Let’s discuss how to clean ceramic tile floors. Ceramic tile flooring is durable, and hardwearing so you will be pleased to know it’s quite low maintenance despite its beautiful appearance. Following the 5 steps listed here will result in your ceramic floors looking their best and lasting for years.

 1. Removing debris: Vacuum and sweep your floors regularly to keep debris from building up on the surface of your tiles. Ceramic tiles are highly resistant to dirt, but grit and sand can dull their face if left for too long.

2. Picking the correct mop: A mild detergent (like dish soap) and a gentle rag or cloth mop are all you need when wet cleaning ceramic floors.

3. Stain prevention: If you notice stains on the tile or grout it is best to tackle them immediately. Commercial cleaners for ceramic tiles can be used.

4. Avoid soap residue: If your tiles look a little bit hazy or dull after mopping it may be from leftover soap residue. Use a natural cleaner that contains vinegar and lemon juice to remove the build-up. A non-abrasive all-purpose cleanser can also help get rid of unwanted soap stains.

5. Keep tiles dry: Last but not least you dry your ceramic floors after wet cleaning. Allowing floors to air dry can lead to unsightly water stains. Use a clean, gentle lint-free cloth to wipe away water and keep your floors streak-free.

What should you not use on ceramic tiles?

The easiest way to care for ceramic tile floors is to keep things simple. You should avoid using harsh chemicals, rough textured brushes, and steel wood pads. Both bleach and ammonia-based products should also be avoided.

 

 

How do deep clean porcelain tile floors?

If you want to know how to clean porcelain tile floors, it is recommended to adhere to steps 1 through 5 from above. Both ceramic and porcelain tiles have many of the same characteristics. Porcelain tends to be denser than ceramic tile, but the surfacing and composition of porcelain mean it requires similar care. You can rest assured that your beautiful porcelain tiles will reap the same long-term benefits using the steps mentioned for ceramic tile care.

What should you not use on porcelain tiles?

The same rules apply here as those for ceramic tiles. You never, ever want to use harsh or abrasive chemicals on your porcelain floor tile. Anything containing bleach or ammonia is a no-go, and want to refrain from using rough scrub brushes and steel wool pads on your tiles’ surface to avoid causing damage.

 

cleaning porcelain floor tiles

 

How do deep clean marble tile floors?

Knowing how to clean marble tile floors is crucial to maintaining them for the long haul. Marble tile is expensive so you don’t want to use just any old product on its luxurious surface. Marble flooring will require a gentle hand to make sure they are not damaged while cleaning. Marble floors are natural stones, making them much higher maintenance than porcelain and ceramic tiles. Marble tile can be porous, meaning it can absorb moisture and break down over time. Make sure your marble tiles are regularly sealed with a moisture-protectant sealer annually.

We don’t want the maintenance of your marble tiles to intimidate you. We are confident that we can help you keep your floors looking as beautiful as the day they were installed. You will be a pro at caring for your marble tile floors if you follow the steps listed here. And as a bonus, these tips will help you figure out how to clean other types of tile floors as well.

1. Start with clean water: The water should be applied using a soft cloth or spray mop.

2. Soapless cleaner: A cleaner with a neutral pH of 7 is best to avoid streaks and smears. There are also specialty cleaners made to help you get the correct pH every time.

3. Rinsing: Thoroughly rinse the tile surface with clean warm water, refreshing the water as much as needed.

4. Drying: Use another soft cloth or mop head to dry the surface of the tile. It is imperative to keep marble floors dry to avoid activating the iron oxide in marble which can cause rust stains.

Porous Stone Sealer Qt Tile Care&maintenance Protectors Custom

Porous Stone Sealer Qt Tile Care&maintenance Protectors

Custom

 

 

What should you not use on marble tiles?

Never use cleansers with acidic pH levels on your marble tile floors. Cleaners containing lemon, and vinegar are especially acidic and can strip away the tile’s surface and sealant. You should also avoid using abrasive brushes and powdered cleansers on marble tiles. Anything with tough bristles or steel wool could cause irreparable damage and should also be avoided at all costs.

 

 

How to clean tile grout?

Clean grout is the best-kept secret to achieving great-looking tile floors. Grout is porous absorbing both stains and grease, meaning it can get icky pretty fast and put a damper on the overall appearance of your flooring. For this reason, grout can be hard to clean once it is dirty, therefore we recommend being proactive to keep your grout from dulling.

Here’s how to clean grout on tile floors to keep them looking like new:

1. Make a natural grout cleaner: Don’t bother using commercial cleaners, make your own by mixing baking soda and clean water.

2. Scrubbing: Rud your DIY mixture into the grout and let it sit for a few hours (overnight is better). The next day scrub your grout with a stiff nylon brush. You can repeat the process until the grime and staining are gone.

 3. Sealing: Once your grout is clean you can apply a silicone-based grout sealer to help prevent future stains. You should try to do this within the first week or two of installing or renewing grout for the best results.

 

ceramic tile and grout

 

What is the best floor tile cleaner?

If you want to know how to clean most types of floor tile, the answer is simple: use warm water, a soft cloth or mop, and a gentle soap-free cleanser. Whether you have marble, ceramic, or porcelain floors you should always follow up by drying the tile’s surface once it’s been cleaned.

 

How often to clean tile floors?

Last but not least we want you to know how often to clean your tile floors. If you are cleaning with water, we recommend doing so weekly. You do not want to go too long between wet cleanings because you could miss or overlook stains or allow debris to build up on the grout. Between deep cleanings, you can also spot clean floors to keep stains and watermarks at bay.

 

cleaning marble floor tiles

 

For daily maintenance, we recommend sweeping with a broom or using a vacuum at least once a week. You will need to remove debris more often if you can visibly see buildup accumulating on the tile. If using a vacuum it should have a soft-bristled attachment to avoid damaging your floors. Taking the appropriate steps for consistent dry and wet cleaning will keep any and all tile materials looking their absolute best.

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