How To Clean Porcelain Tile

Porcelain tile is one of the most versatile and durable options. Porcelain can give you a cost-effective, high-end look like wood, stone, marble or slate but it will also endure wear and tear.  

If you have porcelain tile in your home, you may find yourself wondering how to properly clean it. Porcelain tile should be regularly cleaned to keep it looking its best. Here are some tips on how to care for this type of tile.

Remove Dirt and Dust

When you are looking to clean your porcelain tile, the first thing that you need to do is remove any dirt, dust or other debris. If your tiles are on the floor, this consists of using a broom or a dry mop to remove this type of debris. If your tiles are surrounding a tub or tile, you may need to dampen a towel or microfiber cloth and wipe down the tiles. The goal of this is to remove dirt and dust so that it does not spread when you go to clean the surface later.

Making Your Tile Cleaner

If you are cleaning porcelain tile, you can use tile cleaners that you can find at any big box retailer, such as Wal-Mart or Target. It is recommended that you avoid using any products that contain bleach, as they can eat away at the finish of the tile and cause discoloration. However, if you wish to make your own tile cleaner, you can do so quickly and easily. One of the best cleaners for tiles is white vinegar and hot water. Simply mix 1/4 to 1/2 cup white vinegar with one gallon of hot water to create a cleaning solution that disinfects, brightens and cleans.

Cleaning Your Tile

Once you have either purchased your solution or created your own, you can begin to clean your tile. You can put the solution in a spray bottle and spray shower tile or you can put the solution in a bucket and mop your tile floor like normal. When you are mopping or cleaning your tiles, it is important that you use something soft to clean the tile, such as a soft sponge or microfiber cloth. Never use any cleaning products that are abrasive, such as stainless-steel pads or rough cleaning brushes. These items can scratch your tile and leave behind damage that you will not be able to repair.

Drying Your Tile

Once your tile is completely cleaned, you will want to take a dry towel or other soft cloth to the tile to dry it. There are two reasons behind this logic. First off, drying the tile helps to prevent anyone from slipping and falling while the tile is wet. Secondly, drying the tile helps to remove any water spots or hard water stains that can be left behind if your tile is not completely dried.

Takeaways

• Properly cleaning the tile keeps it looking its best for years to come.
• You can use regular tile cleaners, or you can make your own tile cleaner with vinegar and warm water.
• After cleaning, drying your tile is an important step. 

If you are in the market for new tile, such as porcelain tile, ceramic tile, stone tile or glass tile, Standard Tile in New Jersey has all of the tile that you need. Visit our showroom today to learn more about the products we sell and to see what types of tiles we currently have in stock.