With the number of styles, colours, formats and sizes available today, it’s no wonder so many of us choose tiles as wall and floor coverings for our homes. To keep them looking brand new for years to come, like anything regular cleaning and proper care are essential. We’re here to provide you with comprehensive guidance on how to clean and maintain tiles, for both walls and floors, ensuring they remain pristine for years to come, and offer a bit of inspiration along the way!
How to Clean Wall Tiles
Wall tiles are commonly used across our kitchens and bathrooms, and are exposed to moisture, grease and soap residue, which over time can damage your tiles. Regular cleaning and maintenance can help keep their sparkle!
For a regular dust and wipe, follow these steps:
- Dust Removal: When getting rid of the pesky dust across the surface of your wall tiles, use a dry microfibre cloth, to prevent scratches across the surface.
- Wiping: If you have gloss or polished tiles, use a soft cloth or sponge that is dampened with a non-oil-based everyday household cleaner.
To give your wall tiles a deeper clean:
- Cleaning Solution: Combine a gentle, mild detergent with warm water. Do not use harsh chemicals like bleach, as they can damage the surface of your tiles!
- Application: Apply your solution using a soft cloth or sponge, and focus on areas with stubborn stains or buildup.
- Rinsing: Once clean, rinse your tiles with clean water to ensure you remove any residue.
- Drying: Use a clean, dry microfibre cloth, to prevent water spots or streaks!
To maintain the grouting across your walls:
- Cleaning: Use a small grout brush with a mild cleaner to scrub your grout lines, being sure to scrub away any dirt to prevent mould growth.
- Sealing: When your grout is clean, apply a sealer periodically to protect against stains and moisture which may over time break your grout down.
How to Clean Floor Tiles
Floor tiles tend to endure much more wear and tear because of the foot traffic they see. Regular maintenance is important in preserving their appearance and longevity.
For a regular dust and wipe, follow these steps:
- Dust and Debris Removal: Use a soft-bristled brush or vacuum with a soft brush attachment to remove any general dirt or debris from the surface of your floor, being sure to prevent scratches.
To mop your floor:
- Cleaning Solution: Prepare a mix of warm water and a pH-neutral cleaner (no acids or abrasive cleaners!), being sure to maintain the surface of your tiles.
- Mopping: Use a damp mop to clean the floor, making sure you don’t drench the surface. For polished tiles, use a chamois-type mop over a sponge mop to prevent pushing dirty water into grout lines.
- Rinsing: Once you have mopped your floor, rinse the floor clean with clean water to remove any leftover cleaning solution.
- Drying: Dry the floor with a clean cloth or an old towel to prevent water spots or soap residue.
When dealing with stains:
- Take Immediate Action: Get to spills quickly to prevent settling and staining!
- Stain Removal: For stubborn marks and stains, we recommend a mixture of baking soda and water to create a paste. Apply it to the stain, let it sit for a few minutes, then scrub gently with a soft brush, you should see it fade away!
To maintain the grouting across your floor:
- Cleaning: Regularly clean our grout lines with a good grout cleaner, using a scrub brush to prevent discolouration and mould growth.
- Sealing: When your grout is clean, apply a sealer periodically against stains and moisture, which may over time break your grout down.
General Tips and Tricks!
- Avoid Harsh Chemicals: Steer very clever of any cleaners containing acid or bleach for regular, day-to-day cleaning, as over time they can damage the surface and design across your tiles and grout.
- Use Soft Cleaning Equipment: Opt for soft-bristled brushed or non-abrasive cleaning pads to avoid scratching the surface of your tiles.
- Regular Maintenance: Establish a regular cleaning schedule for your tiles, to prevent dirt buildup and maintain your tiles’ beauty!
By following our handy how-to clean and maintain tiles guide, you can ensure that your wall and floor tiles remain clean, shiny and in excellent condition for years to come! Be sure to tag us in pictures of your sparkling clean tiles over on Instagram, @Wallsandfloors, we love seeing your designs!
