Cleaning Ceramic Tiles

For everyday or almost-everyday cleaning, you should simply sweep or vacuum your floor often.  It is also a good idea to damp-mop the floor once or twice a week.

It is important to remember not to use harsh abrasive cleansers on tile.  The risk of scratches and discoloration is high.  Use a mild cleanser specifically made for tile surfaces.

If the grime and discoloration is too much for a mild cleanser, the next step would be to mix a water and bleach solution.  Use one quart of bleach and add to two gallons of water.  Let the solution sit for fifteen minutes before using.  After mopping on the solution, let it stand for fifteen to twenty minutes, then rinse with plain water.  At this point it is best to use your mild detergent on the tiles.  When finished, rinse again with plain water.  When using bleach or any other harsh cleaning product, make sure that your work area is well ventilated and that wear protective rubber gloves.

The material that holds tiles together is called "grout."  Grout will usually come clean with the above processes, but if the buildup, or "grout haze" gets to be too much, you may want to take additional steps.  Use a scouring pad and water on the affected grout areas.  If that does not do the trick, the next step would be use a scouring cleanser.  There are also grout haze removal solutions available for purchase from specialty retailers.  If the grout still looks dingy, the last resort would be an acid cleaning solution.  For any intense cleaning, but especially if an acid is used, it is a good idea to reseal those grout areas affected. 

Additional tips:

Always use a pH neutral detergent diluted in water.

Always rinse away any cleanser residue with plain, warm water.

Never use ammonia-based cleansers-they may discolor grout.

Use a silicone-based sealer on all exposed grout.  This will prevent staining and the build up of dirt particles.

More information on floor tile