Published: 22/09/2016
There are different materials you can use for your home flooring. For those with the money to spend, engineered wood, bamboo, and stone are highly expensive options but are eco-friendly and durable. But for most homeowners, tile is the more popular choice because it is strong, durable, easy to install, and clean. The best of all is that the tile is very affordable. Tiles can be made of ceramic and porcelain tiles or floating wood.
Here are a few other benefits of using tile flooring:
- Promotes better indoor air quality.
- Made of recyclable material.
- High degree of availability
- Large variety of designs and options.
- Hypoallergenic.
Given all of its benefits, it should be no surprise that tile is the primary choice of homes, offices and commercial establishments.
Even though tile is easy to clean, if floor grout stains and dirt are left unattended, it can affect the quality and look of your flooring. You can keep your tile floors in tip-top shape with a few easy cleaning procedures:
Tips for cleaning your tile floor #1
Clean tiles as frequently as possible
Make it a point to sweep, mop or vacuum your tiles at least once a day. If you don’t clean the tile floors frequently, dirt dust can accumulate and, in combination with moisture, can result in grime build up in the grouting. Keeping the tiles in the kitchen clean is especially important because drippings from raw food materials carry dangerous bacteria that can contaminate other areas in the home.
Remember to sweep or vacuum the floor before mopping it. Sweeping and vacuuming help dislodge stubborn dirt and dust; then run a dry cloth duster or dust mop throughout the flooring. Dry the area with cloth or paper towels for raw food drippings or pet urine. Mop the area with warm water, then dry again with absorbent cloth. Finally, spray with anti-bacterial or disinfectant.
Tip: Mopping your floor tiles with warm water once a week will maintain your tiles’ shiny, clean look.
Tips for cleaning your tile floor #2
Use a home-based solution
An effective way to shine and deep cleanse your tile floor would be to use a solution of a gallon of warm water and ½ cup vinegar. After you’ve swept or vacuumed the floor, mop the area with the warm water and vinegar solution. If your floors don’t look as shiny and new as you want, proceed to mop using a cleaning solution of warm water and detergent.
Whether you use the water and vinegar solution or the water and detergent solution, always make sure to mop the floor with warm water afterwards. Excess detergent can build up and set ideal conditions for dirt, mildew growth and grime accumulation.
Tips for cleaning your tile floor #3
Apply home-based paste on stains
If a spill is left unattended for some time, it may lead to harsh stains on your floor tile. You can remove stubborn stains by applying a paste made of equal parts scouring powder and warm water.
Apply, then rub the paste on the stained area using a clean piece of cloth and leave for 10 minutes. Using a soft brush, remove the paste, wash the area with warm water, and dry with absorbent cloth. Repeat if the stain is not completely removed. Like detergent, ensure excess paste is taken off your floor tiles.
Tips for cleaning your tile floor #4
Kill mildew growth with ammonia
Mildew growth is not just unpleasant to look at; if allowed to be cultivated, it could have serious repercussions on your health. Places with a high degree of moisture present the ideal conditions for mildew growth; in the house, these areas are the kitchen and the bathroom.
It should be standard procedure to air out bathrooms after use or install an exhaust to keep the moisture level low. Floors should also be kept dry with towels or hypoallergenic matting. If there are signs of mildew growth, you should move to eliminate it before it extends its area of coverage. A solution of equal parts warm water and ammonia should do the job.
Scrub the floor with the ammonia solution. Make sure you are wearing rubber gloves when using ammonia. Once the mildew has been effectively removed, wash the area with warm water and wipe dry.
Tips for cleaning your tile floor #5
Cleaning the grout
Grouting presents problems with tiles because this is where dirt and dust accumulate and then harden because of moisture. Here are two techniques to keep your grouting clean.
First, use the eraser head of a number 2 pencil to remove stubborn dirt from the grout lines. Then apply paste made of equal parts warm water and baking soda. If the stain is stubborn, leave the paste on for at least 10 minutes before scrubbing it using an old soft toothbrush. Remove excess baking soda with warm water once the trout is shiny and clean, then pat dry.
While tiles are easy to clean, it is very important to clean them regularly. The best time to clean kitchen tiles would be after dinner. Bathroom tiles can be maintained simply by implementing procedures to lessen moisture.
Make it everyone’s responsibility to keep the tiles clean. If you love your home and care for everyone who lives under its roof, any task should be worth the minimal time and effort.
Interested in using professional tile cleaning services in Gold Coast? Contact us and get a free quote from our experts.
