How do you Deep Clean Tile Floors? What is the Best Way?

Updated: March 25, 2024

Carpet’s tendency to trap dirt, mold, and allergens is often a motivation for homeowners to choose flooring options such as laminate, hardwood, or tile. If you’ve opted for the latter of these, it’s certainly less likely to trap environmental allergens than a rug, but tile requires periodic deep cleaning nonetheless. How do you deep clean tile floors? Doing so is actually about as straightforward as deep cleaning carpets, but the procedure is different. Enlisting help from a professional cleaning service can help you eliminate the grime that tile accumulates and deep clean tile flooring properly. Read on for more information on how to deep clean tile floors with help from a professional.

Identify the Material

Professional tile cleaning starts with the identification of the tile being cleaned. There are many different tile types, and each type has a different protocol for tile floor cleaning service. If you don’t know what material your tiles are made of, you may use the wrong type of cleaner and potentially inflict lasting damage. Some of the most common types of tiles include the following:

• Ceramic
• Glass
• Ceramic
• Marble
• Granite
• Stone
• Porcelain

Natural tiles such as stone and marble are susceptible to being damaged by chemicals found in some cleaning solutions. This damage can occur due to a chemical reaction between the acid in the solution and the calcium carbonate that naturally occurs in the stone material. Be sure to accurately identify the type of tile in your home before selecting a cleaner.

Types of Cleaning Solutions

Just as there are different types of tiles, there are many different kinds of cleaners, too. Finding the right cleaner is just as important as correctly identifying your tile. If you’re wondering how to deep clean tile floors without causing damage, read the following guide to cleaners carefully. If you’re unsure, it’s best to call in help from a professional rather than risk ruining the tile in your home.

Chemical Cleaners

Pungent chemical cleaners are the first solution that often comes to mind when attempting a deep clean. It’s true that chemical cleaners are often the strongest solution available, and in addition to cleaning, they typically offer the additional benefit of disinfecting the surface they are applied to. Unfortunately, though, chemical cleaners are potentially hazardous to your health. Ammonia and bleach are two of the most common ingredients found in these cleaners, and they can both cause irritation to your throat and eyes as well as headaches and dizziness. If you’re averse to using a cleaner that may cause such symptoms, other options are available.

Natural Solutions

There are plenty of cleaners available that don’t contain caustic chemicals. Natural solutions are another popular option that can be used for deep cleaning tile and grout. These solutions commonly rely on substances such as baking soda, vinegar, and hydrogen peroxide. Natural solutions using these ingredients can be just as effective as bleach at whitening stains and lifting dirt. The strength of a natural solution can easily be controlled, too, by simply diluting it with warm water. Though these solutions do not necessarily act as a disinfectant, they can be a good option.

Dry Solutions

Sometimes, a liquid cleaner isn’t necessary at all to clean your tiles. There is an array of dry solutions that can be used for this purpose. For scuffs or small spills that haven’t yet caused a stain, you can use a household item such as a pencil eraser to buff out the scuff — no cleaner is needed! Other tools you can use to dry clean tile include a washcloth or dry sponge. You can even use a steam mop to effectively disinfect your tile and remove surface-level grime that’s become adhered to the surface.

Deep Cleaning Tile Floors

Investing in a professional is the best way to give your tiles a deep clean and eliminate all of the built-up grime. Though tile doesn’t house allergens and irritants the same way a carpet might, it can still become home to irritants that cling to its surface and threaten your health. So, do yourself a favor, and take the time to deep clean your tile or entrust the task to a professional. These steps will help you get your tiles as clean as possible and keep them looking great for a while.

Cleaning Tile (Wood and Stone)

Before you get started with a deep clean, you should always sweep or vacuum your tiles to eliminate any loose debris that may be on the surface. Once you’ve done this and determined the best cleaner for the job, you should prepare it for application by pouring it into a container. Use a tool such as a mop, rag, or another applicator, to wet the tile and scrub it using the cleaning solution. If you feel that the solution is too strong, dilute it with warm water. Continue until you can visibly see the results of your efforts.

Cleaning Grout

Cleaning grout is just as important as cleaning tile. Typically, you should avoid using any acidic cleaners on it so that you don’t damage and erode it. Natural solutions using hydrogen peroxide or baking soda offer a great option for thoroughly and safely cleaning grout. Once you’ve prepared the cleaning solution, you can apply it with a washcloth, pencil eraser, or toothbrush — just make sure you throw it away afterward! Gently scrub grout to remove grime, but don’t scrub so hard that you damage its sealant.

Tile Floor Deep Cleaning in Fargo and Grand Forks

Keeping your tile floors clean can seem like a hassle. Vacuuming and sweeping simply aren’t enough, but finding the time to conduct a deep clean might sound impossible. Steamatic of the Red River Valley has the solution to this problem. We offer deep cleaning services for tile floors in commercial and residential buildings throughout the Red River Valley and Grand Forks areas. If you’re looking for a professional, reliable, and effective company to entrust your tile floors to, trust us. Call us at (701) 746-1856 or reach out to us online to schedule an appointment.

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