How to Bring Shine Back to Ceramic Flooring

Washing ceramic tiles makes them shiny.

Ceramic flooring is recognized for its durability, practicality and longevity. Tiles are available in a wide variety of colors, patterns and textures to accommodate any home décor. Exposure to dirt, grime and daily wear causes ceramic tiles to become dingy and dull. Simply cleaning ceramic tiles restores their natural shine and preserves their aesthetic appeal. Ceramic flooring can remain shiny for many years with proper care and maintenance. Fortunately, basic solutions can restore the shine.

Things You'll Need

• Broom
• Dust mop
• 1 tbsp. liquid dish soap
• 1 gallon warm water
• 2 mop buckets
• Microfiber mop
• Nylon scrub brush
• Terry cloth towels

Instructions

1. Sweep the floor with a broom to loosen and remove dirt and debris. Go over the entire floor with a dust mop to remove remaining abrasive grime particles.

2. Combine 1 tbsp. of liquid dish soap with 1 gallon of warm water in a mop bucket. Fill another mop bucket with warm water for rinsing.

3. Dampen a microfiber mop in the bucket of soapy water. Mop a 5-by-5-foot section of the ceramic flooring, using circular motions. Remove stubborn grime with a nylon scrub brush.

4. Rinse the 5-by-5-foot section of the floor with warm water, using the microfiber mop. Completely wash away the soapy solution and grime.

5. Clean the remaining 5-by-5-foot sections of the floor, using the same process as for the first section. Frequently rinse out and refill both mop buckets to prevent reapplying grime to the floor.

6. Mop the entire floor with fresh warm water to wash away any remaining soap, film and residue.

7. Wipe the floor with terry cloth towels until dry. Buff the tiles in circular motions with clean towels to add more shine.

Tips & Warnings

• You can substitute a solution of 1 cup of white vinegar with 1 gallon of water for the soapy solution.

• Do not use vacuum cleaners containing beater bars as they could damage the floor.

• Do not use steel wool, scouring powders or other abrasive products, as these could scratch the floor.

• Do not use ammonia or bleach; these could discolor the grout.

References

• World Floor Covering Association: Ceramic/Porcelain Care
• OnlineTips.org: How to Clean Ceramic Tile
• Professor's House: Cleaning Tile Floors