Porcelain floor tiles tend to be extremely hard and durable. And so, they require little care or maintenance. Besides, some are often paired with a glass coating in the form of a glaze. They protect the tiles from staining, water damage, and physical impact.
However, you cannot dismiss the fact that they still need to be cleaned regularly to retain their shine. Therefore, know here the top tips on how to clean porcelain floor tiles using simple steps.
Best Tips to Clean Porcelain Floor Tiles
There are two types of porcelain tiles: unglazed and glazed tiles. Both types of porcelain tiles require a different set of cleaning methods. Let’s uncover the cleaning methods for both of them.
Following is the list of essential equipment and cleaning products that you will require for porcelain floor tile cleaning.
Supplies You’ll Need:
- Broom
- Vacuum
- Sponge/towel
- A small brush
- Mop
- Mop bucket
- Mild Dish soap
- Vinegar
- Baking soda
- Ceramic tile cleaner
- Acrylic stone sealer (for unglazed tiles)
Cleaning Unglazed/Unpolished Porcelain Floor Tiles
Unglazed porcelain tiles are used in washrooms, kitchens, and laundry rooms as these spaces have lots of moisture. They do not have a protective coating, unlike polished tiles. And so, they need to be cleaned with more caution and need sealing on an annual basis.
Let’s look at the steps to clean unglazed porcelain tiles.
1. Initiate The Cleaning Process with a damp mop.
First, take warm water or warm water mixed with mild, ph-balanced dish soap and dampen the mop with it. Mop the porcelain tile using this mixture without over-saturating the tiles, as they are prone to water penetration. Then, dry the tiles using a towel/sponge.
2. Use Acrylic Stone Sealer on Dry Unglazed Porcelain Tile
After drying your tile, mix 1 cup of acrylic stone sealer with 3 gallons of water and then apply the solution to the unglazed porcelain tiles. An annual application of this sealer will protect the unglazed tiles from dirt and moisture penetrating into their pores.
3. Clean Grout Lines
In addition to tiles, grout lines also need to be cleaned as they attract more dirt than the tiles. To get your grout white again, brush them with a paste of equal amounts of water and baking soda.
Cleaning Glazed/Polished Porcelain Floor Tiles
Glazed porcelain floors are protected with a thin glass layer on the top of each tile. Although they require minimal and easy maintenance, here are the steps for regular cleaning.
1. Initiate Sweeping or Vacuuming The Floor.
Vacuum or sweep the glazed tiles regularly to remove any surface dirt and debris.
2. Remove The Stain with a Vinegar Solution.
To clean any stains on glazed porcelain tile, use ceramic tile cleaner or vinegar and water mixed in equal portions. Moreover, consider cleaning the stains as soon as they happen to prevent staining the tiles.
3. Mop The Tile with The Tile Cleaning Products.
Lastly, after vacuuming the tiles, mop them using safe tile cleaning products by following the product usage instructions.
How to Deep Clean The Porcelain Floor Tiles?
Many times, the dirt gets ingrained into the pores of your porcelain tiles, needing a deep cleaning to remove that dull appearance and tough grime. Here is how you’ll deep clean them.
- Make a mixture of 1/4 cup white vinegar with 1 gallon of warm water.
- Mop your porcelain floor with this vinegar mixture properly.
- Give your floor a plain water rinse.
- Spread baking soda on the floor.
- Further, repeat the mopping step with vinegar solution and thereafter, with plain water rinsing.
Bottom Line
Along with the above steps for regular cleaning, your porcelain floors will also require periodic professional tile and grout cleaning to get rid of deeply ingrained dirt. Their thorough, deep cleaning will get you lustrous porcelain floor tiles.
