Tile Cleaning: Whipping That Floor Into Shape

Few things can bring a floor right to life like a good tile cleaning session. Many people believe they have clean floors until they get down on their hands and knees, scrub away those lines of dirt, and realize that they have been living in filth for longer than they care to remember. “It isn’t supposed to be brown?” is a common question heard when a homeowner cleans those tiles the right way. Running a mop over the kitchen floor once a week simply isn’t enough, particularly if its a high traffic area. Here are some tips that will help you do better.

Disinfectant is a must when it comes to bathroom tile cleaning. Germs and bacteria thrive in places like the bathroom. If you live with people who aren’t as careful as they might be when it comes to doing their business, you could have bodily fluids on the floor as well as common bacteria and grime. Wiping it up isn’t enough. Get some good disinfectant and make sure you could eat off the floor if you had to. A good sponge will be your best tool for the job. It will not only help you get rid of the obvious signs of filth, but some of the less obvious ones as well.

Another problem that tends to plague the bathroom is mold. Because of the shower, the bathroom is usually one of the dampest places in the house. This wouldn’t be a problem, except for the fact that mold and mildew thrives in a damp environment. You don’t want this issue to get out of hand. Mold can not only create major structural damage when it gets out of control, but it can also cause sickness and allergic reactions in some people. Stop it while you still can. Use a combination of water and bleach for your bathroom tile cleaning, as this will kill the spores and make it inhabitable for the mold and mildew for some time to come. If you have ceramic tiles, you may want to use something less abrasive, such as vinegar and ammonia, mixed with water.

You may not be proud enough of your tiles to consider waxing worth your trouble. This is a mistake, however, as wax is one of the most important sealants you can use to protect your floors from dirt, soap scum, and scuffing. No tile cleaning process should be without a coating of wax to finish the job. Pick up a bottle of wax from your favorite floor cleaning store, read the directions carefully to make sure you aren’t about to use it on a non-approved surface, and use a thin layer after you’ve finished the cleaning process.