Known for it’s irrefutable shine, luxurious feel, and diverse range of designs, porcelain tiles are many homeowners’ preferred type of flooring. It’s versatility is such that it can be used in any room, irrespective of how wet or dry it is.
Like every other type of flooring, porcelain tiles need to be cleaned regularly. A little flustered? Don’t worry; this guide on how to clean porcelain tiles should answer all of your questions!
Step-by-Step Guide to Cleaning Porcelain Tile Floors
In lieu of just scrubbing away at your tiles, it’s crucial to take a look at them first. The cleaning methods you’ll end up choosing hinge mainly on the type of tile flooring you’re working with.
Porcelain tiles can either be glazed, unglazed, or textured. Let’s talk about glazed tiles first!
Polished Porcelain
Also known as glazed porcelain tiles, polished porcelain tiles are a little more susceptible to scratches due to their glazed and smoother look. Therefore, homeowners must be mindful about how they clean these tiles.
Here’s a step-by-step guide to keeping them spick and span.
Firstly, sweep and vacuum the area to get rid of any dirt and debris that might make deep cleaning a little challenging.
Next, dust-mop the area using a dry mop. This extra step can help get rid of every crumb and speck of dirt on the surface.
Then, dampen another mop with warm water and start mopping the floors before using a porcelain-friendly floor cleaning solution to expunge stubborn stains. If you can’t get your hands on one, opt for a vinegar solution instead.
Wet-mop the surface once again, and you’re good to go!
If your tiles don’t look as shiny as they originally did, buffing them is an additional step you’ll need to take. To do this, use a buffing machine for a vast area or simply grab a clean cloth and rub your floor in circular motions.
Note: This guide can also be used to clean ceramic tiles. Just be a little more mindful of how you tackle them, as ceramic is way less durable than porcelain.
Unpolished Porcelain
Unglazed porcelain tiles are relatively resilient against scratches as compared to polished ones. However, they can get stained quite easily. That’s because they don’t have an additional enamel-like layer to shield it against spills.
Here’s how you should go about cleaning it:
First, vacuum or sweep the floors like you normally would. Do this as meticulously as possible to ensure you don’t leave behind any loose dirt or gunk.
Then, clean your floors using either a commercial cleaning product or a diluted vinegar solution. The acidity of vinegar helps break down grease and oil stains. If you’ve chosen a cleaning product, use it sparingly to prevent further discoloration.
After letting it rest for a while, use a soft-bristle brush to gently scrub away any persisting stains.
Give the floor a good rinse and dry it up with a mop.
Textured Porcelain Tiles
The primary distinction between textured porcelain tiles and glazed ones is that it’s smoother than the latter. As the name suggests, these tiles have a more rugged look and feel that people instantly recognize when they enter the room.
Due to this, homeowners need to pay special attention to how they clean this type of flooring. But don’t worry, I’ve got what you need. Here’s how you can clean textured tiles:
Sweep the area twice using a soft-bristled brush. Be conscientious, and go over the area in two different directions just in case you’ve missed a spot.
To seal the deal and make sure you haven’t left out any area, use a vacuum cleaner.
Then, spread or spray a water and vinegar solution all over your floor and let it sit for at least 5-10 minutes.
Use an old toothbrush or the brush you used earlier and start scrubbing the floors gently.
Rinse the floors with clean water and use a clean towel to dry them.
Don’t Forget About Tile Grout!
No matter which floor tiles you’ve installed in your home, it’s important to clean grout too. These are the lines between the tiles of your floor. Your tile surface isn’t as prone to dirt and grime buildup as these gaps tend to be.
For the best results, use a diluted white vinegar solution or some grout and tile cleaner to clean up all of the collected gunk. Rinse and dry the tiles and grout after you’re done.
Do’s and Don’ts of Cleaning Porcelain Floor Tiles
In this article, we’ve only explored the dos of cleaning tiled flooring. Surely, there’s a miscellany of things you should try to avoid at all costs, right?
If you’re second guessing the cleaning methods you’ve chosen or courses of action you’ve decided to take, give this section a read. You may find the following tips very helpful.
Avoid using steel wool as it can leave behind rust stains.
Don’t use wax and oil-based cleaners; they can make the floor sticky and more likely to attract dirt.
Steer clear away from brushes and brooms with hard bristles, as they can scratch floors.
Stay away from cleaners with dyes or colors.
Don’t use cleaners with ammonia or bleach.
Make Your Rooms Shine With Cleaner Tiles!
And there you have it! Some of the best methods to clean porcelain tiles and grout lines. Cleaning your tiles is a practical way to add a bit of pizzazz to your place. The material the surface of the tiles is made of and how well you’ve maintained them are two factors that can play an integral role in determining how easy it’ll be to clean them. Whether they’re glazed, unglazed, or textured, the tips provided in this article should be of immense help to you.
So, grab your cleaning equipment and start tidying up your floors!
