Some people find cleaning therapeutic. Other people would rather not clean again in their lives. Thankfully, there are cleaning companies that can do the hard work for you.
We're here to teach you more about cleaning homes and about the people who clean them. Explore our site, and you'll find articles that help you do a better job of cleaning your own home, as well as articles with advice about hiring professional cleaners. If you love living in a germ-free, dirt-free environment — and who doesn't —then you're sure to love the time you spend reading here. Dig in; we're off to do some vacuuming.
Tile floors are popular both for their beauty and easy maintenance, but people often make mistakes with their tile cleaning process that cause their floors to prematurely age.
If you want to avoid damaging your tile floors and incurring some costly repairs, here are some tips to remember:
1. Don't Break Out the Vinegar Until You Know What Kind of TIles You're Cleaning
A lot of people rely on a solution of white vinegar and baking soda to clean all kinds of household surfaces, but you don't want to go near your tile floors with this concoction unless you're sure the tiles are porcelain or ceramic. Unglazed and porous materials like wood, natural stone, and synthetics are not meant to withstand the acid in vinegar washes.
2. Don't Leave Your Floors Sopping Wet After Your Mop Them
Warm, soapy water and a mop are tried-and-true methods of keeping tile floors clean, but too much water can actually seep into the grout between your tiles and cause it to slowly break down. Over time, this leads to cracking in the grout and loose tiles on your floor. When you mop, you need to do a small section of tile at a time and dry each section with a clean cloth as you go.
3. Don't Scratch Up Your Tiles With Harsh Abrasives
No matter how dirty your tiles may look, skip the bleach or other harsh detergents, like the kind that are meant to scrub shower tiles clean. You should also avoid using hard brushes or steel wool pads when you're trying to remove stubborn grime. Both chemical and physical abrasives can end up damaging your floor by eating away at the seal on the tiles and scoring their surface.
4. Don't Forget to Wipe Up Spills as Soon as They Happen
Tile floors are remarkably forgiving when it comes to ordinary dirt from foot traffic, but they're often susceptible to stains from liquids, which can bleed into the tile's seal or get into the grout and create permanent marks. If someone spills juice, coffee, or tea, make sure that the spill gets wiped up immediately to prevent unsightly damage.
With these simple tips, you can keep your tile floor looking brand new for a long time to come, although it's generally wisest to have your tile floors professionally cleaned, polished, and resealed on occasion. A professional can use specially designed detergents and steam cleaners to remove built-up grime without marking up your tiles.
Contact a professional for more information about tile floor cleaning.