DIYers love to do things themselves; from giving their homes a face-lift, adding an outdoor patio, plumbing and even electrical fittings. But when it comes to floor cleaning, one needs to take extra care or risk making everything go awry. Nobody wants a dirty floor. Whether you’re just moving into a new place, or you have kids and pets who constantly litter your floor, not taking care of it will not only make your home look untidy, but also leave a foul odor lingering in the air.

Tile floors are an easy choice for most homeowners because they are easier to maintain, durable, waterproof, easy to install and available in many stylish varieties. If you’re looking to Do-It-Yourself, we’ve provided this guide to show you all there is to cleaning your tile floor to get them looking sparkling new all year long.

Steps and Solutions to cleaning your tile floors

  1. Sweep and mop daily. This should be a daily task. Sweep the floor using a fluffy dust mop or a vacuum cleaner. Afterwards, mop with just water. This should be able to clean your tiles, especially if there are no stubborn stains.
  • If water fails, use tile cleaning solutions. You can mop using a DIY solution like ½ cup white vinegar mixed in 1 gallon of clean warm water. If you find stains like grease, spot clean using half scouring powder mixed in half warm water. You can also add regular dish Detergent in fresh water and mop to remove hard stains.
  • For half scouring powder, use a clean cloth to spread mixture on the stain. Leave it to sit for about 10 minutes, scrub with a soft brush, then rinse thoroughly with a cloth and warm water. Repeat until stain is removed.
  • Mop weekly with warm water. While daily cleaning will ensure your floors stay clean, mopping your tiles with warm water at least once every week will keep your tiles looking nice and shiny.
  • Dry floor immediately. Every time you damp mop your floor, be sure to dry it immediately to prevent dirt from settling on the wet floor and forming grimes that are hard to remove.
  • Take care of spills immediately. Use absorbent clothes to wipe up spills and water as soon as they happen. You may need more than just a piece of absorbent cloth for dirtier spills like paint, raw foods, or pet accident. Use a disinfectant or cleanser when this happens. Be sure to focus the chemical on affected spot only to avoid dulling your tiles with chemicals.
  • Place a doormat inside and outside. Notice how you and other members of your home tend to bring tracking mud and water inside during winter or rainy seasons? You can eliminate that by putting doormats outside your home and inside as well.
  • Caution for stone tiles. Natural stone tiles react negatively to acidic cleaning agents like vinegar and may be eroded. It is best to use specific pH neutral cleaners for natural stone tile floors. Baking soda and cornstarch, hydrogen peroxide and mild dish soaps are good examples of solutions you can use.
  • Don’t forget the grout. Tile grout is one part of our tile flooring that is often overlooked. Truth is, when your grout is clean and bright, it gives an amazing look, overall, to your tile. Do this by mixing baking soda and water. Stir until the mixture becomes a paste, apply the paste generously to the dirty grout, leave it to sit for a few hours or overnight, scrub thoroughly using an old toothbrush, and wash with warm water.

If after you’ve done this, the grout doesn’t look bright enough, get an oxygen bleach or any other non-toxic cleaner; add some water strictly following the product’s instructions, then use a sponge to rub solution generously on the grout. You can repeat the process as many times as necessary and rinse with warm water to wash off residue. Some people apply a sealer to the tile grout to help keep dirt away.

By following these simple guidelines and steps, you’ll be putting in place proper precautionary measures to ensure your tile floors remain clean and sharp for many years to come.