How To Clean Floor Tile

How To Clean Floor Tile

       If you have an older home, restaurant, or even gas station, you may have quarry tile that needs cleaning. Quarry tile can develop a beautiful finish over time, but it can be a bit difficult to clean due to the fact it’s not glazed. Because it’s often not glazed, you’ll need to mop up spills quickly so they don’t stain. For the most part, all this floor needs to be clean is a simple mopping with warm water and a strong mop. Alternatively, use a pH-neutral cleaner if you need to do deeper cleaning on your floor.

Method 1: Performing Maintenance Cleaning

Step. 1

Wipe up spills quickly. Because quarry tile is usually unglazed, it can be stained if you’re not careful. When something spills, be sure to wipe it up as quickly as you can so it can’t stain the floor. You can use a bit of warm water for cleaning, but wipe it up once the area is clean.[1]

Step. 2

Use paint thinner on grease stains. If you get a grease stain that won’t come up even after mopping, you can use paint thinner on it. Ventilate the room by opening the windows and doors. Dip a cloth in the paint thinner, and let it sit on the stain. Cover it with a piece of plastic so it doesn’t dry out, and leave it for an hour or so. After waiting, lift it off, and wipe it down with a new cloth dipped in the solvent. Mop or clean as usual after that.[2]

Step. 3

Pick a mop that won’t be broken down by quarry tile. This type of tile can be coarse, meaning older string mops won’t stand up against it. Opt for a wet microfiber mop for heavy duty use, a looped-ends knit mop, or a tube mop head. A synthetic mop works best.[3]

Method 2: Mopping the Floor with Warm Water

Step. 1

Sweep the floor or vacuum. Before mopping, sweep up any debris with a standard broom and dustbin. You can also vacuum the area if you prefer. You just want to start with a debris-free floor before you mop.[4]

Step. 2

Clean the floor with a little warm water and a mop. This type of tile typically doesn’t need a strong cleaner. For everyday cleaning, try dampening a mop with a bit of warm water, and then running it over the floor. Focus on particularly dirty areas as necessary.[5]

Step. 3

Dry the floor with a dry mop or rag to prevent mold. Once you’ve run water of the floor, be sure to dry it off thoroughly. It’s not good for water to sit in this floor, as it can mold more easily than other types of tile.[6]

Method 3: Deep Cleaning the Tile

Step. 1

Pick a pH-neutral cleaner. You don’t want an acidic or basic cleaner for this type of tile, so pick a cleaner that states it is pH neutral. You can find special cleaners specifically for quarry floors, if you prefer.[7]

  • You can also make your own cleaner. Mix 0.5 cups (120 mL) of baking soda into 1 gallon (3.8 l) until the baking soda is completely dissolved. Add 5 drops of liquid dishwashing detergent, and stir gently to combine.

Step. 2

Dampen a mop with the mixture. Once again, you don’t want to use a large amount of cleaner or water on this type of floor. Therefore, make sure you wring out the mop well once you’ve dampened it with the cleaner.[8]

Step. 3

Mop the floor. Run the mop over the floor, focusing on particularly dirty spots. Scrubbing is fine on the dirty areas, though you don’t want to use anything too abrasive. Keep in mind that this tile will always have a matte finish.[9]

  • You may need to scrub the grout a bit harder, but it will likely still get darker over time.[10]

Step. 4

Rinse the floor thoroughly. You don’t want to leave cleaner on the floor, as it can damage the tile. Rinse it off with warm water, making sure you get off all the cleaner before moving on.[11]

Step. 5

Dry the floor with a dry mop or rag. Once you’ve rinsed the floor, dry it off with a dry mop. You can also use a rag, if you prefer. You just don’t want to leave water on the floor, even to “soak” stains.[12]
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