How to Professionally Clean Tile Floors
Keeping tile floors clean can be a challenge, especially in wet environments like bathrooms and kitchens. Mold and mildew spores can easily grow in these areas, making it hard for people with respiratory conditions like asthma to breathe.
Cleaning professionals know the best cleaning processes to help eliminate these harmful contaminants and give your tiles that gleaming look again. Here’s how they do it:
The Process
Keeping your tile floors shiny and clean requires more than just vacuuming and mopping them on a regular basis. It also requires a periodic deep cleaning to get rid of the ground-in dirt and germs that can dull your tiles and leave them looking grimy.
Before the cleaners arrive, you’ll need to remove all furniture from your tiled space and if possible, move it to another room or onto felt pads to avoid scratching your floors. You’ll also need to clear out any trash cans or other items that are on the floor surface.
Ceramic and porcelain tile are a breeze to keep looking fresh, but other types of tile, like marble and slate, are much more delicate and need to be treated with care. Look for a cleaning solution with a neutral pH that won’t damage the surface. Also, avoid vinegar, as it is acidic and can etch marble. Using an appropriate cleaner will keep your tile looking good for years to come.
The Equipment
Tile floors are durable and a cinch to keep clean. Ceramic and porcelain tiles are glazed with a hard finish that makes them impervious to water, liquids, and dust particles. They’re easy to clean using any standard cleaner and a wet mop or broom.
Linoleum tile is made from a synthetic material that is not designed to handle high moisture, so it requires different cleaning products than the more common natural stone or ceramic types of flooring. Regular mopping and a sealant applied every year or two ensures that the surface stays in good shape.
Professionals have a variety of equipment to tackle the varying kinds of tile flooring. They start by scrubbing the floor with a swing machine or rotary scrubber to loosen ground-in dirt and grime from the grout lines. This is done in conjunction with a chemical solution that might be something as simple as soap and water, or a stronger store-bought product that must be mixed to the proper ratio and used according to directions.
The Expertise
Cleaning tile floors can be difficult because dirt and contaminants are able to penetrate the pores of the tiles and grout. Over time, this can cause a dulling effect and discoloration. Regular home cleaning methods aren’t enough to get the job done. Using abrasive cleaning tools (steel wool, magic erasers) or harsh chemicals can also damage the surface of your tile and grout.
A professional tile and grout cleaning service is able to use the right equipment and cleaners to safely and effectively clean tile flooring. They also know that specific tile requires different care based on its material. For example, ceramic and porcelain tiles are relatively low maintenance, while coarse tiles (like slate or granite) require specialized cleaning solutions and techniques.
The Time
If you’ve ever tried cleaning your own tile floors, you know it can be a time-consuming job. It requires scrubbing, rinsing and drying. It’s not just about removing dirt, but also sanitizing the grout and preventing mold and mildew.
For most people, hiring a professional is the best way to get sparkling clean tile floors that stay that way. Professional cleaners follow a detailed process, including vacuuming, scrubbing, and then steam cleaning and rinsing. They use a high-quality mop, like a chamois-style or rag mop, which is better for tile than a sponge mop that pushes the dirty water into the grout lines.
Depending on the material of the tile, it may need to be pre-cleaned using a solution of warm water and detergent. This is particularly true for natural stone tiles. For the most part, however, sweeping and mopping regularly is enough to keep them in good shape. Placing doormats at the entrance and storing shoes in a separate entryway can also help prevent dirt from getting on your tile floors.
Keeping tile floors clean can be a challenge, especially in wet environments like bathrooms and kitchens. Mold and mildew spores can easily grow in these areas, making it hard for people with respiratory conditions like asthma to breathe. Cleaning professionals know the best cleaning processes to help eliminate these harmful contaminants and give your tiles…