Challenges and Solutions to Cleaning Ceramic Tiles Floors

Tile flooring has many aesthetic benefits, but when it comes to maintaining them, there are many hurdles. Although ceramic tiles are versatile and durable, regular maintenance plays a huge part in ensuring they last long. Commonly used tile materials are porous in nature, which means they hold onto dirt and grime. Similarly, the grout that keeps the tiles together will start looking dingy if not cleaned properly. 

Although you can find many cleaners on the market for ceramic tiles, improper cleaning techniques can lead to major issues down the line. Even with the correct type of cleaner, cleaning ceramic tiles and grout can be challenging. In this article, we will discuss common challenges and solutions to cleaning ceramic tiles. 

Ceramic Tiles Are Porous

Common tile materials such as slate, granite, and limestone, are porous and can quickly accumulate dirt, grime, and oils. Once dirt seeps through the surface of the tiles, they will lose their shine and color. Heavy-duty cleaning is a good practice for ceramic tiles due to their porous nature. We recommend using 240-degree steam cleaning to remove dirt and grime from the tile surface. However, it is crucial to note that steam cleaning is dangerous, so it’s best left to professionals with the right tools and techniques. 

Cleaning Grout Lines

Much like tiles, grout lines are porous and can accumulate dirt and grime from food and liquid spills. As you may know, stained grout lines don’t make for a great first impression. No matter how clean your tiles are, if the grout lines keeping them together are dirty, it diminishes the overall appearance of the floor. Although you can scrub grout lines to remove dirt and grime, stains are much harder to clean. Steam cleaning is the only way to remove dirt from hard-to-reach areas of grout lines. 

Large Tiled Areas

One of the biggest challenges of cleaning tiled floors is the sheer area. You might do just fine if you are cleaning a single room, but if your entire house has tiled floors, you are looking at hours of work. Additionally, if you have small tiles, you will have twice as many grout lines to clean. Whether it is residential or commercial flooring, letting professional tile cleaners take over this job is the most feasible solution.  

Best Cleaning Practices

  1. Clean up food and liquid spills as soon as possible to avoid staining the tiles and grout lines. 
  2. Use a robust and penetrative tile cleaner to reach the hidden stains deep inside the surface of the tiles. 
  3. Don’t forget to clean the grout lines when cleaning tiled floors. If your grout lines aren’t sealed properly, the chances of them staining from liquids is higher. 
  4. Use a brush designed for cleaning tiles and grout. Avoid using kitchen or other cleaning brushes as they are not strong and don’t swivel in all directions. 

Don’t Of Ceramic Tile Cleaning

  1. Do not use acidic cleaners for ceramic tiles since they can damage the surface and ruin the look of the tiles. 
  2. Never use sharp or abrasive tools to clean ceramic tiles since they can leave scratches and streaks. 
  3. Do not leave water or other liquids for too long on ceramic tiles since it can lead to mold and stains. 

Hire A Professional Tile Cleaner

If you have tried cleaning ceramic tiles in the past, you are most likely aware of how challenging it can be. Besides a sore back and doubt about whether the tiles are actually clean, it could take hours to get through a small area. With Tidy Team’s professional tile cleaning services, you can rest easy knowing that your floors will look as good as new. If you want to learn more about our services or get a free quote, contact our amazing team today!