How to Clean Ceramic Tiles

Ceramics are initially made from clay containing large amounts of silicates. This clay mixture is then subjected to heat treatment which results in inert and non-metallic floor tile materials. When ceramic floor tiles require cleaning, glazed tiles are much easier to clean than unglazed ones. Tiles used in homes are often set in a thin plaster-like substance called grout, which occasionally becomes soiled and dirty with frequent use. This can be cleaned by vacuuming regularly and wiping with a damp mop or by using a mild detergent solution to wipe away heavier soiling and add shine.

Cleaning Tile Floors

The best way to clean a ceramic tile floor is to use an electric floor washer or polisher-scrubber to scrub the tiles. This type of cleaning action usually brightens the tiles and joints. The tiles can also be cleaned by dousing them with a solution comprised of 1/4 cup low-sudsing detergent, or one to two tablespoons of washing soda or tri-sodium phosphate, or a commercial floor cleaning powder mixed with one gallon of water. During cleaning, there could be white or gray dust tracks over the tile surfaces and into carpeted floor areas, with whitish earth coming from the grout. In these cases, muriatic acid can be used to clean the floor surfaces. Dingy-looking grout can be brightened by scrubbing with hot suds and applying a diluted solution of chlorine bleach and then scrubbing and repeating the process, keeping the tiles wet for about five minutes.

Tile installers nowadays use commercial products that are easy to wash off, but are also more expensive. Bathroom cleaners in aerosol spray form can be effective in cleaning tiles, as long as you follow the directions on the container. Using harsh abrasive or scouring powders will tend to scratch the finish, so avoid using them; keep in mind that glazed tile is easy to scratch, so treat it like porcelain enamel.

More Tile Cleaning Tips

The tile floor surface should be scrubbed regularly using some detergent with a scrub brush or large sponge and then rinsed with clean water, making sure that any dirty water is removed from crevices. The floor must be allowed to dry thoroughly; when cleaning tile floors adjacent to carpeted areas, place folded towels on the carpet to absorb water.

If buildups of soap scum, minerals from hard water, or mildew is present in bathroom ceramic tiles, some concentrated effort in cleaning might be needed. Dissolve these buildups with a strong commercial tile cleaner and clean them off.

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