Tile Cleaning – Preventative Steps

Tile Cleaning—Why?

Tile cleaning on a regular basis not only extends the life of your tiles and contributes to the overall beauty of your décor, but it is a must for good home hygiene. Why so? Tiles provide the perfect surface for dirt to cling especially if the tiles have a textured or uneven surface as in the case of mosaic tiles. Moreover, bathroom and kitchen tiles, which may be more exposed to moisture and more prone to mold and mildew,  may need a more frequent cleaning as do those in “high traffic” areas. Though the words “tile cleaning” may immediately conjure up images of a back-breaking floor scrub on one’s hands and knees, some simple day-to-day tile cleaning will keep tiles looking like they were new installed.

Tile Cleaning—How?

A basic tile cleaning step is sweeping to loosen and remove dirt. A broom with a soft head and even one that uses static electricity to lift dirt away will make tile cleaning much more effective. This should be done daily and need not take more than a few minutes.

Preventative Steps

In actuality, tile cleaning begins with preventative steps. Simply place doormats at the entrances to prevent dirt from being tracked into your home and abrading the surface of your tiles and dulling their glossy finish. Making it a habit to shake the mats out often will keep from dirt build up.

Mopping Tiles

Ceramic and porcelain tiles should also include mopping each day or once every second day. However, mop selection is important. A mop with a flat, sponge-head will in fact press dirt into the spaces between tiles and ruin the grout. A basic twisted yarn mop will remove dirt from the tiles.

Vacuum Cleaning Tiles

In addition to sweeping, tile cleaning can also be accomplished by vacuum cleaning. Again, a word of caution is in order. Vacuums with a air-driven brush or motorized brush used to lift dirt will in fact dull and scratch the surface of tiles due to its stiff bristles. To prevent this, tile cleaning should be done with vacuums that do not contain a beater bar.