Searching for the Best Way to Clean Tile Floors Without Leaving Streaks? Check Out These Tips.
A large number of homes have tile floors. Homeowners have different tastes on the type of floors to have for their homes. As any floor would, tile floors require constant cleaning and care. This article is going to discuss the various types of tile floors and how to clean them. Read on!
Types of Tile Flooring
Regular cleaning of floors is paramount to keeping a clean house. While dirt can cause staining or even damage on floors, it’s essential to keep it out at all cost. Cleaning floors require proper techniques to avoid streaks.
Different floors have different techniques for cleaning. Regardless of the method used, the main aim is to have a lustrous, streak-free floor. Whether sweeping, mopping, or vacuuming, you should always aim to have a super clean floor.
There are three different types of floors;
- Ceramic tiles
- Porcelain tiles
- Stone tiles
Ceramic and porcelain have almost similar properties, but their method of cleaning is different. When it comes to stone tile, this is a broad class of materials classified as stone.
Ceramic Tile
Ceramic tiles are made from clay. This clay is usually quarried, prepared, and molded. The standard methods of making ceramic tiles include:
- Slush molding
- Extrusion
- Dry pressing
All these methods give ceramic tiles suitable for all flooring purposes. You can achieve the desired texture of the ceramic tile in the heating and cooling process.
Porcelain
Porcelain tiles are less porous than ceramic ones. Although porcelain and ceramic are almost the same and even used interchangeably, porcelain is more impervious.
Porcelain tiles are made of minerals and clay just as ceramic ones, but contains 50% of feldspar. It is this feldspar that acts bonds the materials correctly. Despite the differences, the process of cleaning ceramic and porcelain times is almost similar.
Stone Tiles
Stone tile is a general term for all types of materials that fall under the stone classification. These include:
- Marble
- Travertine
- Slate
- Limestone
- Granite
These material make tiles with different features from each other. These tiles are so different from each other and hence, differences in cleaning procedures.
Limestone is a denser type of stone suitable for home and low traffic floors. It gives the house a natural, healthy appearance. However, it’s prone to scratching and gets stained easily. The limestone surface can be either polished smooth or textured.
Marble is a different type of stone that’s usually more porous than others. Marble tiles are classic and give the floor a timeless appearance. However, it’s very vulnerable to scratches, but this can be avoided by using the right materials. Due to their aesthetic values, marble tiles are rather costly, and their care can be time-consuming.
Granite is almost similar to marble. However, their designs and color vary. Granite has specks of different minerals in it while marble has veins of the minerals running throughout the surface.
Travertine is a natural, porous stone with a rough texture. Typically, it’s slip-resistant and thus ideal for wet surfaces.
Slate is a metamorphic rock ideal for tile flooring. Slate tiles are slip-resistant and can be used for kitchens, bathrooms and around pools. Besides, slate can be found almost everywhere in the world making it a rather cheap option.
Best Way to Clean Tile Floors Without Leaving Streaks (Part 1)
How to Clean Ceramic Tile Floors Without Streaks
Ceramic floors are beautiful and admirable. However, they are too susceptible to dirt that you have to ensure thorough cleaning. To avoid the ugly, dull look, cleaning at least once or twice can be helpful.
When cleaning a ceramic floor, you have to do it in a way it doesn’t leave streaks. To get the gest results, you need to apply the right technique coupled up with the proper cleaning solutions. To clean a ceramic floor, this is the best way;
- Sweep the Floor
Sweeping the floor with a broom is the first step to take. Loose dirt and dust have to be removed before the actual cleaning process. Alternatively, you can use a vacuum cleaner if available.
When sweeping, be keen to cover the forgotten edges and corners where dirt sticks. Mostly, streaks emanate from these places and hence the need for proper dirt removal.
- Choosing the Best Cleaning Solution
What cleaning solution is suitable for the ceramic floor? Different tile floors require specific cleaning agents. Mild detergents are the most ideal for ceramic tile flooring. Mix a few drops of the detergent with vinegar to get an ideal solution.
If you decide to go for commercial cleaning solutions, make sure they are approved for use on ceramic. This will save you from damage your beautiful flooring.
- Clean the Floor Using a Mop
Drip the mop inside the cleaning solution and wring out excess water. Do not let in excess water into the floor as it might lead into streaks. Mop systematically in a repeat formula.
When moping, squeeze the mop often when it starts looking dirty. Also, change the cleaning solution severally whenever it changes color. This will minimize the chances of streaking.
- Rinse the Floor With Clean Water
After you are done with the moping with detergent, it’s time to clear the residue with clean water. Rewash the floor this time using clear water and a soapless mop. A clean towel is ideal for drying the floor after moping.
If the floor area is large, clean in sections and dry slowly and systematically. If you follow this process correctly, there is no chance of leaving behind streaks.
How to Clean a Porcelain Tile Floor without Leaving Streaks
Although porcelain is almost similar to ceramic, cleaning the two is totally different. Porcelain tiles provide a superior flooring solution and suits nearly all budget requirements. There are three types of porcelain tiles;
- Polished porcelain
- Unpolished porcelain
- Textured porcelain
Both types create a stylish and elegant appearance to homes. Porcelain tiles last long and require minimal cleaning.
- Sweep/Vacuum the Floor
Getting rid of debris and dirt on the floor is essential. Dust, food droppings, pet hair, and soil particles are some of the things you should take out. These materials leave scratches and streaking if not removed in advance.
- Apply a Detergent on the Floor
Green cleaning is always the best. Vinegar is still the best detergent for cleaning such floors. Use half-a-cup of vinegar for every four gallons of water. Use a mop or sponge to apply the solution on the floor.
Cover every inch of the floor with the cleaning solution and let it soak for about 10-15 minutes. If you choose a porcelain tile cleaner, follow the instructions on how to mix with water. Avoid using bleaching agents or acidic detergents as they might discolor your tiles.
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- Scrub the Floor
After the cleaning solution has set, scrub the floor thoroughly. What you will use for scrubbing depends on how dirty the floor is. If the floor is stained or has marks and spots, a soft brush is ideal. However, if you are cleaning the regular dirt, a sponge mop will do.
Use of a soft brush is more emphasized than a hard one because it doesn’t leave the floor scratched. Focus on small spaces to ensure everything has been well scrubbed- clean fast enough before the detergent dries up.
- Dry the Floor
Once you are done cleaning every part of the floor, get rid of the dirty residue. The best way to go about it is to use a wet vacuum. It’s faster and drains the residue better. If unavailable, a dry towel can still work. The downside of using a towel is that it gets soaked very fast. You have to squeeze it severally before doing accomplishing the task.
- Rinse the Floor
Majority of porcelain floor cleaners tend to skip this process in the name of disinfecting the floor. However, failing to rinse affects the bright look of the floor. Using clean water and mop or sponge, wipe the tiles to remove any residue.
- Dry the Floor Again
Drying the floor again is necessary, this time with clean water. Use a wet vacuum or clean vacuum. It is advisable to dry up the porcelain as it might long to dry on itself.
Tips for Cleaning Ceramic and Porcelain Tiles
These tips will help you in cleaning porcelain and ceramic tile floors:
- Mopping the floor every day prevents dirt from building up. With clean ceramic or porcelain tiles, streaks can’t develop.
- Do leave the cleaning solution to dry on the tiles- it leads to staining and streaking
- Always do a small test on the cleaning solution on a small part of the floor
- Add vinegar to the cleaning solution- it makes the floor sparkle
- Always wipe up any spills immediately before they stain the floor
These tips will help you maintain clean porcelain or ceramic tile floor.
The Bottom Line
With this formula at hand, there is nothing to worry you anymore. This is perhaps the best way to clean tile floors without leaving streaks. Get every step right, and you will be good to go.
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