Tiles on the floor are a popular choice among many homeowners especially for high-traffic areas such as kitchens and bathrooms. For this reason, it is important to always keep them clean and hygienic because germs can easily build up on them.
When cleaning your floor tiles, you must follow dos and don’ts to ensure that you’re not damaging them during this process. For starters, here are some common cleaning mistakes you need to avoid.
- Never skip sweeping your floor tiles
The first step in cleaning your floor tiles is to sweep up any dirt from their surface using a broom and dustpan. You may use a vacuum cleaner to clean your floor tiles however, this is only recommended for porcelain tiles which are much more resistant to scratching than other floor tile solutions such as natural stone or concrete which can be a little more sensitive! It is important to start off the tile cleaning process with sweeping rather than mopping as added moisture on an un-swept floor will cause any dirt or dust to stick onto your tiles, making them harder to clean. After sweeping your floor tiles, you can then continue to mop them clean. Your floor tiles can be kept tidy using a simple solution of warm, soapy water however, you may also choose to use a tile cleaner that is specific to your tile’s material for a more intensive clean when necessary.
- Make sure to always dry your tiles after mopping
After sweeping and mopping your floor tiles, it is always a good idea to go over them again with a dry mop. This step will ensure that any excess water is wiped away from their surface and not allowed to sit there too long while also buffing up your tiles to remove any water marks, leaving behind a clean and streak-free finish. This step is particularly important for glossy floor tiles or smooth, matte tiles as water marks can show up on these types of tile finishes more readily in comparison to a semi-gloss or textured floor tile finish. Source: Perini
- Using bleach and ammonia
Much like abrasives, using bleach and ammonia to clean tile floors can cause damage. You might not notice an issue the first time you use these products, but the problems will sneak up on you.
Over time, you’ll start to notice grout discoloration. These cleaners can be bad for your health and deadly in some circumstances, another major reason to avoid them when you can.
For instance, you should never combine bleach and ammonia because the mixture will release toxic chloramine gas.
Switch out these products with a mild all-purpose cleaner. You can also look up the cleaning products recommended by your tile manufacturer for the best options.
Additionally, avoid using cleaners that contain dyes. Tiles and grout will both absorb the color of the cleaning product leaving your floors with a dirty look after cleaning. Source: Advanced Sealers and Cleaners
- Dirty mop and filthy water
You may not be intentionally doing this one, but the dirt on a mop can sneak up on you, particularly if you haven’t replaced your mop for a while and routinely wash your floors.
A dirty mop equals dirty water and swishing it across your floors is just making life harder for yourself. You may need to replace your mop, or you may need to replace your water more often while you’re mopping.
When you finish your clean, thoroughly rinse the mop before popping it back in the cleaning cupboard. This is a vital point to know when you’re eager to know how to clean tile floors effectively.
- Not cleaning regularly
We recommend a wet clean of kitchen and bathroom tiles every fortnight.
You should be sweeping every few days to get rid of the gritty debris that can dull the finish of the tiled floor.
Keep in mind that any spills need to be attended to immediately, paying special attention to anything that may have seeped into the grout lines. Source: Electrodry Carpet Ceaning
It’s always nice to see when your home has clean floor tiles because it gives you a sense of relaxation after a long day. Just make sure to follow through to avoid making those cleaning mistakes.
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