How to Clean Your Floor like a Pro – Tile

When it comes to places in your home like bathrooms and the
kitchen, there are few more popular options for flooring than tile. Tiling is
generally the preferred options for these kinds of rooms because they can be
water and heat resistant, are easier to remove stains out of, and are more
durable than their carpeting counterparts. However, tile, like any other kind
of flooring, needs to be well-maintained and cleaned properly in order to
have it looking great for a long time. There are some techniques exclusive to
tile that can really help you clean your floor like a pro.
Tile is
generally easier to clean than carpet, but there are still ideal substances
you’d want to use so that you don’t do more harm than good. It is recommended
that you use merely a mild detergent and clean water so that you don’t fade
or cloud the coloring on tile. Changing the water frequently while cleaning
is a good idea as well because dirty water will have this effect. Try using a
rag or a chamois mop rather than a sponge one, because sponge mops tend to
displace the water more often. This can push both water and dirt into the
grout lines of tile, which is much more difficult to clear out than the flat
top surface. It may seem obvious, but vacuuming and sweeping does wonders for
clearing off all of the surface level dirt, such as sand or dust.
Besides general cleaning of the main part of the tile, advice for
cleaning tile grout is always welcome since that is usually the trickiest
part to clean. Liquid stains more easily creep into the grout and, since it
is a more porous material, it tends to absorb and hold onto these staining
agents. Just like with the rest of the tile, you don’t want to treat grout
with anything that is too strong, and instead should go with a simpler
solution. A baking soda and water paste is a great cleaning agent because of
baking soda’s strong cleaning properties. In a pinch, a similar brew of a
very light acid, lemon juice for example, may also be used so long as it is
watered down a little bit.
All of this advice is helpful for
keeping your tile in great shape, however it is only recommended for general
maintenance of tile. Inevitably, over the course of time, tile can become
cloudy and worn down in terms of color and condition. Grout will, unless you
use a regular sealant, find ways to stain and lose its original luster.
Depending on the room and its regular usage, some kinds of tiles are
vulnerable to different substances. For example, travertine tile does not
hold up well against acidic liquids that are commonly used in the kitchen,
such as vinegar or orange juice. Ceramic tile should be handled carefully
when cleaned because excessive water can make it very slippery and increase
the danger of falling and hurting oneself.
While tile isn’t hard
to clean, over time residue can take root and discolor it. While a mild
cleaning agent can help some of this, if you’ve had your tile for a while you
may find this task just a little more difficult every time. If you’re looking
for a change of pace anyways, that might be the deciding factor in installing
new tile into your home. A different type of tile might make a good switch,
especially if you’ve noticed that the common uses in a room are negatively
impacting the tile. In the above examples, for instance, travertine tile
would be best used in a bathroom where cooking acids are uncommon, whereas
ceramic tile might be better because it is more durable and won’t have the
same slipping hazard that a water-high bathroom would.
Whether you
are looking to deep-clean the tile you already have in your home or replace
it with something pristine and new, Naffco Flooring and Interiors has you
covered. With years of experience, our friendly experts are able to work with
you to determine the best course of action and what type of flooring would
make the best fit for each room in your home. For more information about how
we can help with your tiling or floor renovations, please call the South Tampa
office at (813)
254-4066, or the Carrollwood office at (813) 961-1362.