How to Shine a Tile Floor
Dirt, soap buildup and scratches make tile floors look dull over time. When cleaning and shining tile, remember that tiles with a glaze on them scratch easily. Fortunately, this glaze also makes clean tile floors shine without polish. An electric floor washer helps clean and shine a tile floor, and cleaning by hand with a mop or sponge also works well. A cleaner designed for tile floors will help shine the floor in all situations. An all-purpose cleaner can work in places with soft water, and a vinegar solution will help clean the floor naturally, especially in places with hard water. Does this Spark an idea?
Things You'll Need
- Broom or vacuum
- Electric floor washer, mop or sponge
- Tile-floor cleaner, washing soda or white vinegar
- Warm water
- Soft rags or towels
Instructions
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Clean the tile floor before shining it. Sweep or vacuum the floor to remove dust and dirt particles; choose a vacuum that will not scratch the tiles.
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Vinegar mixed with water makes an excellent natural floor cleaner. Wash the tile floor with an electric floor scrubber, sponge or mop. Either use a commercial cleaner specifically designed for tile floors or mix 1 to 2 tbsp. washing soda in 1 gallon of water to create your own soap. Alternatively, create a more natural floor cleaner by mixing 1/4 cup white vinegar with 1 gallon water, as the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recommends for a safe floor cleaner. Vinegar works especially well to remove minerals from hard-water buildup.
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Clean the tile floor a second time with just water to remove soap residue. Wash the tile floor again with warm water to removes any cleaner residue, which can create a film over the floor that prevents it from shining.
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Soft rags or towels finish the job. Wipe the tile floor with soft rags or towels to dry, shine and prevent water spots from forming.
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Tips & Warnings
To remove soap scum or large amounts of mineral buildup, use a cleaner specifically designed to get rid of the buildup.
Use a grout brush and a mixture of 3 parts water and 1 part chlorine bleach to remove mildew and stains from grout in between tiles.
Do not use steel wool or other scratchy materials, which may damage tile.
References
- Photo Credit Jupiterimages/Photos.com/Getty Images PhotoObjects.net/PhotoObjects.net/Getty Images Hemera Technologies/PhotoObjects.net/Getty Images Barry Austin Photography/Stockbyte/Getty Images Photos.com/PhotoObjects.net/Getty Images
