What's the best way to clean my tile flooring?

One of the benefits of tile floors, aside from them being so visually appealing, durable, and versatile, is that they're low maintenance and hypoallergenic without harboring mold, germs, dust mites, or bacteria. Like anything else, though, they will need a little TLC periodically. Floor Specialists, your tile flooring store in the Palm Beach County area, provides some cleaning tips.

Basic maintenance

Dirt can dull the surface and even scratch, so tiles should be swept with a soft cloth or vacuumed a few times a week. Clean more deeply once a week by mopping with a gentle cleaner and hot water; for tough stains, let the solution lie for about five minutes to loosen it up before mopping.

If you don't want to use chemicals, make your cleaner with ½ cup white vinegar to one gallon of water or use a vegetable-based cleaner, such as castile soap. Over time, dirt accumulates, and your floors might look dull and grimy; if so, you’ll need to do deep cleaning by mopping twice. First, use a degreaser solution (found in hardware stores but ask your flooring expert for a recommendation.) Wipe, let the floor dry, and then mop again with some hot water and a little dish soap.

How do I clean grout?

Mold and mildew can quickly grow in a wet, humid atmosphere like the shower, making the tile look dingy and grimy. The best thing is to clean regularly. While there are many grout cleaners on the market, you can easily make your own by combining equal parts of white vinegar and water. Spray grout with the solution, let it sit for at least 15 minutes, and scrub with a grout brush or old toothbrush. You can also make a paste with ¾-cup baking soda and ¼-cup water, while another alternative is to use ¾-cup chlorine bleach to one gallon of water.

When properly maintained, tile flooring can last for decades. We’ll help you choose the right type for your installation; our experts will advise you on keeping it looking great for years to come. The Floor Specialists showroom is in Wellington, FL, and we work with homeowners and businesses in Palm Beach County, especially Wellington, Palm Beach Gardens, Jupiter, and Boca Raton. While in our showroom, be sure to get your free tile flooring quote.