Ever since I moved into my Colonial-style home built in 1941, the ceramic tile floors in my kitchen and bathrooms have been a constant source of frustration for me. No matter how vigorously I mopped the tiles or scrubbed the grout lines, the floors always managed to still look dirty and dingy. While bleach could certainly get them looking cleaner, I’m not a big fan of using toxic chemicals in my home and prefer to use more natural cleaning products. So, I decided it was time to revamp my tile-cleaning method.
One of the biggest contributors to the overall drab appearance of my floors was the bits of dirt that would collect in the grooves of the tiles. Scrubbing those on my knees with a toothbrush felt hopelessly laborious, so investing in a long-handled deck brush was my first order of business. After watching a large volume of cleaning videos on TikTok and YouTube, I finally came up with my own mash-up of cleaning techniques – and it worked so well! Not only do my tile floors look new when I use this method, but it’s also much easier on me physically.
The Four-Step Tile Cleaning Method
Here are the four proven steps that I follow to get my tile floors looking super fresh and clean:
Step 1: Vacuum the Floors
To remove any loose dirt and debris from the tiles, I start by vacuuming the entire floor with my HEPA-filtered stick vacuum. It comes with a soft-brush roller that works on tile and hardwood floors, and I find it much more effective at picking up crumbs and dust than sweeping with a broom. I’ll also switch to the crevice nozzle so I can get into the hard-to-reach places like corners along baseboards and underneath the cabinets.
Step 2: Spray and Scrub
Next, I spray this multi-surface cleaner directly on the tiles and let it sit for a few minutes before scrubbing it with the aforementioned long-handled deck brush. I work in small four-foot sections at a time, spraying and scrubbing one area before moving onto the rinsing step and then spraying and scrubbing the next four-foot section.
The cleaner that I use is made with plant-derived cleaning ingredients and essential oils, and its lavender scent is simply heavenly. It sneaks a bit of aromatherapy into the midst of an otherwise dreadful house chore, making it way more tolerable and maybe even a bit pleasant.
Using a deck brush has been one of the biggest game-changers in my cleaning method, as it allows me to remain standing – no more scrubbing on my knees. I also feel like I have more scrubbing power when I use it as opposed to a handheld scrub brush, as I can leverage my total body weight instead of relying on arm strength alone.
Step 3: Rinse with a Spray Mop
Once I’ve finished spraying and scrubbing a four-foot section of tiles, I’ll rinse off the cleaner with a spray mop. I simply spray the section with water and mop up all the dirt and cleaner. I alternate between steps two and three, spraying and scrubbing a small section with cleaner and then rinsing it, until I’ve cleaned the entire floor.
Alternatively, if you don’t own a spray mop but have a Swiffer WetJet, here’s what you can do: Refill the empty bottle of cleaner with warm water and slide a soft ankle sock onto the mop head. Voila! A spray mop.
Step 4 (Optional): Steam Clean
This last step is optional because steps one through three are enough to thoroughly clean your tile floor. But I recently became acquainted with the virtues of a steam mop and I’m hooked on its cleaning power. It uses 212-degree Fahrenheit steam to sterilize surfaces and it’s highly effective at removing any leftover soapy residue or dirt from the tiles that the spray mop didn’t pick up.
I simply fill the tank on my steam mop with water, attach a reusable microfiber cleaning pad to it, and quickly do a once-over on the floors. The steam sizzles away any potential grime, which tends to build up in a kitchen like mine that lacks an exhaust vent, dries quickly, and leaves my tile floor looking oh-so-sparkling clean.
Maintaining Grout: The Hydrogen Peroxide Method
While the tile-cleaning method I’ve outlined is highly effective, there’s one more step that I take to ensure my floors stay looking pristine: grout cleaning and sealing.
According to cleaning expert Rachel, the best way to clean grout is with a simple hydrogen peroxide and baking soda solution. Here’s how it works:
- Apply the Solution: Add baking soda to the grout lines, then drizzle hydrogen peroxide over the top until it forms a damp paste.
- Let it Sit: Allow the mixture to sit for 5-10 minutes, letting the chemical reaction lift dirt and grime.
- Scrub and Rinse: Use a grout brush or old toothbrush to scrub the solution into the grout, then rinse it away with a damp cloth.
This method is inexpensive, effective, and safe for sensitive surfaces like marble tiles. Just be sure not to mix the peroxide and baking soda ahead of time, as the reaction works best when applied directly to the grout.
Once the grout is sparkling clean, it’s important to reseal it every few years to protect against future stains and discoloration. Many professional cleaning services can handle this process for you, or you can use a DIY grout sealer from your local home improvement store.
The Power of Prevention
While a thorough, multi-step cleaning process may seem daunting, the key to maintaining sparkling tile floors is consistent upkeep. By taking the time to vacuum, scrub, and steam clean on a regular basis, you can minimize the buildup of dirt and grime that leads to an unsightly appearance.
Additionally, being proactive about grout maintenance through periodic cleaning and sealing can go a long way in preserving the beauty of your tile floors for years to come. It may require a little extra effort upfront, but the payoff of having floors that look freshly installed is well worth it.
So, the next time you look down at your tile and feel a familiar sense of frustration, remember the four-step cleaning method and the power of the hydrogen peroxide grout trick. With a little elbow grease and the right tools, you can have tile floors that sparkle like new – no matter how old your home may be.
