Suggestions on how to best clean a tile floor?
Question:We have just moved into a house that has tile flooring throughout. We've only been here a week and I feel like I am having to wash these floors EVERY day!! Mop and bucket the best way to go? Doesn't that just leave a lot of soap residue that causes more stuff to stick to the floor, thus requiring MORE frequent washing? I'm totally frustrated with this and would really appreciate any serious advice.
Answers:
I have 1000 square feet of tile, and a FloorMate. I vacuum frequently, spot clean, and use the FloorMate for cleaning whole rooms, as needed. For the kitchen floor, I get on hands and knees with a bucket occasionally; the FloorMate doesn't get it as clean. No need to buy the special FloorMate formulated cleaner, just put about 1/2 oz of ammonia cleaner into the water.
A better course of action than daily cleaning is to figure out where all the dirt and crud is coming from. I have doormats outside each door, and rugs inside. My kids are encouraged to "stomp, stomp, wipe, wipe" before entering.
I also have a minimum of 8' of clean concrete (porch / patio) between any grass or dirt and a door. This helps dry shoes and drop off dirt before the door mat. If your house is brand new, start planning your backyard, and get at least the patio poured soon. The concrete will also help if you have dogs - they don't generally remember to wipe their feet!
About soap residue - always look for the "no rinse" dilution on the label of the cleaning agent. I prefer plain, cheap ammonia - no perfumes, coloring, or other foo-foo to build up. Strong fumes - be sure to dilute per the label!
I may have higher tolerance than you do for dirt, but I there are some areas of my tile that get a full washing about once a year. The kitchen and breakfast table area (I have a 3 year old!) get the most frequent cleaning.
If the tile is ceramic then the best cleaning solution is white vinegar and water. You only need 1 cup of vinegar per 2 gallons of water. No rinsing required and floors will be shiny when dry.
use a floor stripper, strip all old cleaner off, clean with paper towels, it gets all dirt up and throw away, use a tooth brush for in between tiles, Then use FUTURE floor wax, from then on use swifter to clean up dirt, or dust mop when you mop use clean water. It will last alot longer, the wax stops ground in dirt from setting in.
Dude, just keep cleaning
i have found the best way to clean them is to use a mop that you can ring out yourself.i think a sponge mop just pushes the dirt around.and maybe that is why you feel your floor is dirty all the time.i use a floor cleaner like .Mr clean,**** n spam,etc .also you never said what color your grout is.if it is white then im sure you are have the same trouble im having.i will scub my white grout with a magic eraser.with a house hold cleaner that has bleach in it.this makes it look white again.one other thing maybe your grout is not sealed.if it isnt then you should purchase a sealer.you can find it a lows.the way to find that out is dump some water on the grout if it soaks in then it was never sealed.
I should be working for this company because this is the third time I've recommended a Vapor Steam Cleaner tonight. Vapor Steam Products out of Jupiter, Fl sells them and they work on everything. They look like canister vacuum cleaners that heat plain old water (no more cleaning agents ever!!) to 300 degrees with a pressure gauge of 65 psi. Use it the first time, you will be amazed, the second time, the floor will look brand new. Then I recommend put Armstrong Tile polish to protect and you'll see that you won't have to clean them as much. They come with tons of attachments - the nozzle for the grout is unbelievable. They are the only thing that will KILL dustmites on your area rugs or mattress. I use it to clean the tub, sink, countertops, hardwood floors, windows, you name it. Check them out at www.vaporcleanproducts.com. I have the TR5 and used it on my redwood deck! Cost about $400 and worth every penny.
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