The Keys to Keeping Tile Floors Clean and Beautiful

As a flooring option, tile is durable, versatile and certainly attractive. However, contrary to some commonly held beliefs a tile floor does require some care maintenance beyond the occasional once over with a broom in order to keep it in the best possible shape.

Like carpet, a tile floor - and the grout that holds it together especially - will really benefit from a professional tile cleaning especially in RI, and maybe even resealing, every 12 - 18 months, depending upon the traffic levels in the room it is laid in. And, just like carpet, there are right and wrong ways to maintain it between professional cleanings. Here are just a few tips and tricks that will help your tile floors remain as beautiful as possible for as long as possible.


Invest in a Real Mop 

Disposable 'Swifer' type mops have become rather popular recently, both for dry and wet mopping. They definitely have their appeal, pop on the cloth, run it over the floor and then throw the cloth in the trash. The problem is though that those cloths are expensive, wasteful and ultimately not very effective, especially when it comes to the weekly damp mop (more about that in a moment) Invest instead in a nice, soft microfiber mop. These durable offerings can be laundered, do a great job of picking up and trapping dirt and usually only cost the same as 2-3 boxes of those disposable refills.


Practice Weekly Damp Mopping 

Damp mopping is not as messy and time consuming as some people imagine and a weekly damp mop means that you will never be left in the 'this floor is so grimy I can't stand it' position that some people allow to develop simply by choosing only to sweep their tile floors.

You do not need to use a ton of chemical or specialist cleaners either. Simple water and detergent solutions will do the job fine, cost less and introduce fewer potentially harmful substances into your home.

Just what solution is best to use will depend upon what kind of tile floor you have. Ceramic and vinyl tile will usually be fine if given a once over with a mop dampened with a solution of warm water and white vinegar (about 1/2 cup of vinegar to every gallon of warm water). If yours are stone tiles however they will benefit from a regular once over using a solution of half a tablespoon of Murphy's Oil Soap per gallon of warm water. An acid like vinegar can be fatal to stone tile as it needs a good alkaline cleaner, which the oil soap is.


Deal With Spills Right Away 

Spills on a tile floor should be dealt with as quickly as you would deal with spills on carpet. And it is worth remembering that muddy footprints and even plain water count as spills as well. Keep a good stock of absorbent cloths handy and if a door from the outside leads into the space then a generously sized doormat will help a great deal as well.

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