What Is the Best Way to Clean Tile Floors?
The best way to clean tile floors is to sweep the floors regularly to remove fresh dirt and debris, then to mop the tiles whenever the floors are too dirty to sweep clean. Cleaning the grout between tiles is also needed, using a homemade baking powder paste to do so.
Sweeping the tiles or using a vacuum to remove the dirt from the floor regularly prevents any glazing on the tiles from dulling due to the dirt being ground into the surface. This is especially true when living in sandy areas, as sand easily grinds away finished when walked upon. When the tiled floor is dirty rather than dusty, cleaning it requires mopping the floor with a chamois or rag mop. Create a cleaning mixture of mild detergent and clean water, combining the two until suds form. Mop the floor from one end to the other, taking care not to go over already mopped areas a second time to avoid simply spreading the dirt over the tiles. Change the cleaning solution often while mopping to make certain that only clean water is being applied.
Mopping can sometimes leave a cloudy residue on the tiles due to soapy buildup. To remove this residue, mop the floor using a mildly abrasive cleanser, followed by a rinse in clean water. Buff the floor dry afterwards with a clean lint-free cloth.
Clean the grout between the tiles by spreading a paste made of baking soda and water along the grout lines. Just add water to the baking soda while stirring the mixture until it has the consistency of toothpaste to create the mixture. Allow the paste to sit in place for 24-hours, then scrub it away with a stiff-bristled nylon brush. After cleaning the grout, add a sealant to prevent future dirt or water absorption.
