The Best Way to Clean one of the Most Popular Tile Material: Ceramic

Whether it’s been splattered with pasta sauce or walked over with muddy shoes, ceramic tile is here for the long haul. So, how do we take care of it properly to keep it looking clean and new, despite what we put it through on a day to day basis? Luckily, ceramic tile is one of the easiest tile materials to keep clean. 

Regular Cleaning

Cleaning is as simple as sweeping up the dirt, then using a mixture of warm water and a mild detergent to mop or wipe the area clean. Avoid using a sponge mop; these sometimes just push the dirt around and into the grout lines. 

The best way to keep new ceramic tile looking great is by regular cleaning and cleaning up any messes and accidents right away. This will avoid staining the grout or tile and avoid a day spent on hands and knees scrubbing tile. 

Keep the water in the bucket fresh while cleaning to avoid the cloudy haze after mopping ceramic tile flooring. If the cloudy haze still appears, use an all-purpose cleaner on the area.

Same goes for a ceramic tile backsplash or shower walls. Just wipe them down with warm water and a mild detergent, and use an all-purpose cleaner to get rid of the haze if it appears. 

Pro tip! To restore the tiles natural shine clean with club soda and some lemon and buff the tile with a clean, dry cloth afterward.

Dealing with Stains

If a mess has been missed or forgotten and the ceramic tile has now been stained, have no fear. Here is how to get out the most common types of stains.

• For juice, tea, and coffee stains use hot water and detergent to clean the area. Then use hydrogen peroxide to blot the stain away. 
• For grease and oil stains use a mixture of club soda and water. You could also use a commercial floor cleaner if you’re not worried about using natural cleaners. 
• For markers, pens, and other ink stains use a tiny amount of diluted bleach on a cloth and lay it on the stain. Let it sit until the stain is out, then rinse the spot thoroughly. This technique should only be used when all other cleaning attempts have failed. 

A Word of Caution 

Ceramic tile can get slippery when wet so be cautious when cleaning these surfaces and warn other household members that the floors might be slippery while cleaning. 

Though it’s a sturdy and durable material, ceramic tile still needs some care and cleaning. Avoid leaving messes to sit and regularly clean the tile to keep it looking its best.

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