How to Mop a Tile Floor

Keeping your tile floors looking great is actually easier than keeping wood floors looking their best. The key is using the proper materials and technique. Here are some ideas to keep your tile floors sparkling clean.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Rope mop
• Mop bucket with wringer
• Floor cleaner
• Toothbrush

1. Use the right mop. Because tile floors have grout, you will want to avoid sponge mops or Swiffer type mops. These are great for quick pick ups, but not for serious cleaning. Use a rope or string mop instead.

2. Get a mop bucket with a wringer. Whether it's the twist wringer or the roller kind, you will want to get the excess water out of your mop between swipes. Use a mop bucket with a good wringer.

3. Mix the right solution. Use strong solutions of cleaning liquid and hot water for tough jobs and grout. Use a milder solution for the over all floor.

4. Mop three times on each side. Swipe the mop across the floor three times and then flip it over for three more. Rinse the mop well, wring it out and start again. This prevents you from pushing dirty water around the floor.

5. Rinse the water often. You don't want to push dirty water around the floor and you need clean water to keep the mop clean. Once the water is dirty, trade it for more clean, hot water.

Tips & Warnings

• Seal grout to keep it clean and make it easier to clean.

[voraciousveggie]

on 4/10/2009 Do latex portland cement grouts need to be sealed? It gets darker when wet, but only for a minute and then drys fine.