Articles Tile Talk: Maintaining Your Floors

Ceramic

If you have ceramic tiling on your floors, cleaning is effortless. Regardless of what type of finish it has, you don’t need anything complicated to get this material clean. All you need is a broom or a vacuum and mop to get it clean. When mopping, just use dish soap or white vinegar mixed with water. If you have stubborn stains, using a tile stain solution or bleach will help lift and remove them. For cleaning grout, use a professional grade grout cleaner or a bleach solution with a toothbrush or grout cleaning brush (medium bristle) to maintain or get it to its original condition.

Porcelain

Whether you have unglazed or a style that has a finish, this is another material that is easy to clean and maintain. However, having a porcelain style with a finish creates a protective layer, which requires less maintenance than one without a finished surface. Similarly, like ceramic, the only equipment needed is a broom or a vacuum and a mop. The cleaning solutions are also simple and easy—dish soap, vinegar, baking soda (for any recent stains) and an acrylic stone sealer for unglazed/unfinished styles. If you have this type of porcelain, you will only have to apply the sealing treatment once a year. When cleaning the grout, use baking soda with equal parts water with a toothbrush or a grout cleaning brush to get it back to its initial state.

Vinyl

This material is durable and easy to maintain. However, the right equipment and cleaning solutions to keep it to its prime is essential. Ideally, using a vacuum on a floor setting and a microfiber mop are best to get vinyl floors clean without damaging it. If there are some difficult stains such as certain foods with food coloring, or ink or paint from decorating, baking soda can lift and remove those stains. Just mix the baking soda with some water until it creates a paste-like consistency and take a microfiber cloth or any soft cloth you may have to rub the stain away.

Engineered Hardwood

Ideally, utilizing a soft-bristled broom or a vacuum on hardwood mode will keep this floor clean and limit the scratches from any debris and dirt that encounters it. Sweep daily, if you can. If you prefer vacuuming because of its efficiency, vacuum at least daily to keep it clean. If your vacuum comes with a rotating bristle attachment, don’t use this as this will damage the surface. In regard to mopping, mopping at least once a week with a damp or dry microfiber mop is best to keep it squeaky clean. During the holiday season, you may want to think about dry mopping and using a damp soft or microfiber cloth with stain solution made for engineered hardwood to help maintain it to its quality. After the holiday season, you may want to consider polishing and oiling your floors to keep it looking shiny and new.

While these maintenance tips can be used during the busy holiday season, this can also be utilized any time of the year. You can feel more comfortable and confident in maintaining your floors to its prime quality.