Guide to Tile Floor Care

Clean floors weekly to maintain them.

Tile floors provide a beautiful, hard-surfaced flooring option that lasts for years and requires only minimal care. Tile floors vary slightly in the care required. Natural stone tiles generally require more care than sealed ceramic tiles.

Basics

To keep tile floors looking new, sweep or vacuum them at least weekly. Dirt and debris can scratch the tile surface or build up in the grout. Use a broom, soft dust mop or the hard-surface attachment of your vacuum. The beater bar on an upright vacuum can damage tiles. Clean tile with a mild cleaning solution with a neutral pH. Baking soda or liquid dish soap dissolved in water both make good cleaners, according to "House Beautiful" magazine.

Considerations

Pet spills, chemicals and bleaches can discolor or damage tile, while abrasive cleansers can scratch the tile. Unglazed tiles are porous and may absorb stains, permanently marring the tile.

Prevention/Solution

Seal unglazed tile yearly with a tile sealer. If the tile is glazed, seal the grout with a grout sealer to protect it from stains and grease. Wipe up spills immediately and avoid using abrasive cleaners or steel wool. Acidic cleaners, such as vinegar and chlorine bleach may permanently discolor grout.

References

• House Beautiful: Tile Floors: Much More Than Something To Stand On
• Floor World Inc.: Caring For Tile Flooring

Resources

• Utah State University Cooperative Extension: Selecting Ceramic Tile