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How to Clean Tile Floors – Shower, Kitchen, & More
It’s a stone or tile floor…you can’t possibly damage it with a simple household cleaner, right? Well dear reader, that’s not the case at all. Many common household cleaners can do long lasting damage to your stone or tile floors, stripping them of sealers, dulling their finish, and making your grout susceptible to stains. So, before you grab that “all-purpose” cleaner, put down the mop and bucket and get some tips on how to clean stone & tile floors throughout your home.
It’s a stone or tile floor…you can’t possibly damage it with a simple household cleaner, right? Well dear reader, that’s not the case at all. Many common household cleaners can do long lasting damage to your stone or tile floors, stripping them of sealers, dulling their finish, and making your grout susceptible to stains. So, before you grab that “all-purpose” cleaner, put down the mop and bucket and get some tips on how to clean stone & tile floors throughout your home.
How Does Tile Stain?
When porous stone & tile floors are installed, such as granite, marble, or quartzite, they are typically protected by sealers, such as STONETECH® BulletProof® Sealer, that create an invisible layer of protection against stains. You may not see it, but products with bleach, ammonia, and vinegar may be stripping your tile floors of that protective layer. For especially porous tiles and stone surfaces, this means simple spills can soak into the surface quickly leaving behind a stain.
Think of the surface of the stone & tile floor as a sponge and the penetrating sealer filling the sponge’s open pores to prevent spills from soaking in. When little Timmy walks in with muddy shoes, the stone & tile sealer helps to block out dirt stains from entering the sponge and no harm is done. When you grab the spray bottle of harsh chemicals, you’re essentially stripping out the protection from the sponge , allowing stains to soak in, and probably ending both your night and little Timmy’s in tears.
The biggest threat to your floors are spills, dirt, and debris, which can scratch and stain the surface of stone & tile floors. For daily maintenance, use a clean, dry dustmop to keep your floors free of items that can scratch the floor. Be careful vacuuming these surfaces, as the brushes and plastic wheels may have embedded dirt that can cause additional scratches. When it’s time to mop, avoid the harsh chemicals. Use a properly diluted solution of STONETECH Stone & Tile Cleaner, a concentrated formula designed for daily use on tile and stone. This will preserve the natural beauty of your stone & tile floors, while keeping the protective layer of sealer intact.
No matter how careful you are, accidents happen. Knowing the proper way to clean the spill without stripping the sealer protecting your floor, can help prevent you from damaging your stone & tile surfaces. For food items, clean the spill as quickly as possible with a clean towel. In the case of little Timmy and his muddy shoes, let the mud dry completely, then use a soft nylon brush to loosen the dirt and sweep it up. After removing the spill, dirt and debris use a STONETECH daily cleaner such as STONETECH Revitalizer Cleaner & Protector to fully remove the spill, reseal and defend against the growth of bacteria in one easy step.
The Takeaway
Knowing how to clean stone & tile floors can help you maintain the beauty of your surfaces for years to come. STONETECH offers a number of cleaning and sealing solutions to make the job simple, while achieving professional-grade results. Don’t know what cleaner to use? For help selecting the right product, by visiting the product recommendation tool, or by contacting the Technical Services Team at LATICRETE.