Karen asked: What is the best way to clean porcelain tile floors? The floors are unsealed, and the grout gets wet and darkens. Water stains are on an area where the dog’s water bowl is, and I can get marks to go away with mopping. The floors are a few months old and I just want to know the best way to care for them so they look good for a long time.
Table of Contents:
Porcelain tile flooring is one of the easiest floors to care for. It doesn’t require sealants or special cleaners. However, it does need some extra cleaning from time to time. When those times arise, here are the steps to take.
You Will Need:
- Water
- Bucket
- Sponge mop
- Porcelain tile cleaner or
- ¼ cup vinegar with 2 gallons hot water or
- All purpose household cleaner (ex: Mr. Clean, Fantastik)
Steps to Clean the Floor:
- Start by vacuuming the floor to remove any loose dirt and debris.
- When cleaning porcelain tiles, it is best to work in small sections to ensure the cleaning product is applied and removed in a timely manner.
- Apply the cleaning product or vinegar solution with hot water to the floor’s surface.
- Allow it to set for a few minutes.
- After the solution has set on the floor, scrub it with a sponge mop to clean away any dirt and/or stains from the surface.
- Rinse with clear water. Using a wet vacuum works well to remove all of the cleaning solution.
- Allow the floor to dry.
Additional Tips and Advice
- For regular cleanings, sweeping and vacuuming is sufficient. Mopping with plain water will help to remove minor dirt and dust.
- Do not allow the cleaning solution to dry on the surface of the porcelain tiles. This can result in staining and streaking.
- If the floor is polished, use half the amount of detergent as described above.
- Avoid staining on the floor by wiping up spills as soon as possible.
- All purpose household cleaners can be used on porcelain tile floors. Soapless detergents such as Spic and Span or 409 can also be used.
- It is recommended that a small test area be conducted with any cleaning product before applying it to the entire floor. This helps to ensure that there are no adverse effects from the cleaning product.
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My housekeeper used Mop and Glow on my porcelain tiles, and the end result was horrible. The tiles are dull, and there are streaks all over them. What shall I do to restore the shine?
I am in the same fix with my porcelain tile. I need help!
I have black porcelain tiles on the floor. It is a very large area and the only thing that I have found that gives them the mirror finish is Showroom Shine. It is meant for cleaning cars, but it does a great job on the tiles. I would just like to add that the way to do this is a tile at a time, so it does take a while, but the results last for at least a month.
My porcelain tile is eight years old and looks dull in spots. I have used the Mr. Clean sponge with water, which only made it worst. Do I need a professional to get it looking new again? I do not want to have to replace it. Would an electric buffer help?
Me too – my floor lost the shine. The only time it looks better is if my cleaner mops the floor and then dries it, which takes a lot of time. Does anyone know how to do it quickly and have the lovely, shiny floor? Please help.
I am having the same problem. I was wondering if a steamer would help solve the problem? I am at my wits end. It is killing me; mopping and then drying/buffing them with a material dust mop that was meant for laminate flooring.
Steam cleaning is an excellent idea! Steaming uses less water than traditional mopping, which will reduce the damage to the grout. Having a good sealant on the tile and grout will decrease the amount of cleaning required in the future. The type of porcelain that you have – polished, glazed, natural or structured – is a major determinate of the best sealant and cleaning practices. Also, there are porcelain tile sealants that will give the tile a shiny appearance.
Source: eHow
Source: Australian Tile Council
I have porcelain tile floors in my kitchen, den and large extended patio. The porcelain tile does not have a gloss to it, but it is not completely dull either. I do not think it has been sealed. However, it does not absorb water (dries topically). I use my Shark steam cleaner on it. What can we do to get more of a shine on it? Does the tile have to be sealed for that? The indoor tile is about four years old, and the taiko tile is about six years old. Thank you for any information regarding my inquiry.