Tile floors are quickly becoming a popular choice for homes in Australia. In fact, the Australian tile installation industry is going to make around $5.8 billion in the next five years. This is according to the IBISWorld report. The easy maintenance of tiles is a major reason for this increase in popularity. However, many homeowners often struggle with tile cleaning. This is mainly because of common cleaning errors. It includes using harsh chemicals or over-wetting. These mistakes can cause tiles to look dull, get stained, or even crack. That’s why knowing what not to do while cleaning them is crucial.
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Why Proper Tile Cleaning Matters
Many people think keeping tiles clean is only about how they look. But it’s more than that. After all, clean tiles help you protect the money you spend on your home. Besides, it keeps your family healthy, too.
You need to keep them clean because:
- Tile cleanliness is a crucial part of your family’s overall hygiene.
- Regular cleaning prevents mould and mildew growth
- It keeps the tiles slip-resistant and prevents trips and falls.
- With regular maintenance, tiles can last longer.
- Clean tiles improve the overall appearance of your home.
Common Tile Cleaning Equipment
Before we talk about cleaning mistakes to avoid, let’s check out the basic supplies you’ll want to have for keeping your tiles looking their best:
- Microfibre cloths or mops
- Soft bristle brush
- pH neutral floor cleaners
- Baking soda
- Grout brush
- Vacuum with a soft brush
- Bucket
- Clean water
Top 12 Tile Cleaning Mistakes to Avoid
Here are the top twelve mistakes you’ll want to avoid when cleaning your tile floors:
Using the Wrong Cleaning Supplies
One of the biggest mistakes people make when cleaning tiles is using the wrong products. Many regular cleaners have harsh chemicals, such as bleach, ammonia. These chemicals can damage tile surfaces over time. Some cleaners may even strip away the protective sealant on tiles, leaving them easy to stain. To prevent this, be sure to read labels carefully. Look for ph-neutral cleaners made specifically for tiles and grout. They should be gentle and won’t hurt your floors.
Not Testing the Product Beforehand
Even if you know what product to use on your tiles, it’s always smart to do a little test run first. Even if the label says it’s for tiles, you never know how a specific formula may react to yours.
Try dabbing a test spot in an out-of-the-way area, like behind furniture. Let it sit for a bit to see how your tiles handle it before going full blast on the rest. This helps prevent any unwanted marks or damage just in case.
It’s also handy for tough stains. Got red wine on the tiles? Test the cleaner on a hidden spot to make sure it lifts the stain before scrubbing the whole area. This way you don’t work extra hard if it’s not quite the right fit.
Letting Dirt and Spills Sit Longer
Accidents happen – even on our nice clean floors. But it’s best not to let any spills hang around for too long. If liquid sits, it can soak right into the pores of tiles and grout.
For example, leaving red wine or coffee for hours can leave behind hard-to-clean stains. But if you scoop, blot or wipe up spills within 15 minutes, the chance of staining goes way down.
Keeping a roll of paper towels handy makes quick work of wiping up the odd spill. And a dry mop is great for snatching any remaining moisture.
The Use of Dirty Cloth and Water
You must use fresh and clean water during tile cleaning. Using dirty water is not a “water-saving approach.” Instead, this will make the tiles dirtier. Make sure the cloth or sponge is clean as well. Otherwise, dirt and grime may transfer from the cloth to the tiles. This will only make the situation worse for you.
Using Too Much Water
Water is great for cleaning, but too much of it can cause issues with tiles. Piling on extra water has a way of slipping into the cracks between tiles. This can make those lines swell up and might eventually lead to cracking. Too much splashing also leaves water smears that make the floor look dull. A damp mop or cloth usually does the trick for everyday dirt. Squeeze excess water out of the mop before using it.
Ignoring Grout Lines
You need to pay attention to the grout lines, too. Dirt can clog up in those grout cracks over time. It can lead to mould and mildew growth if not cleaned. This affects the visual appeal of your place. To avoid this, go over those grout lines often with an old toothbrush or special grout brush. DIY cleaning can be difficult if you haven’t cleaned them for a long time. In that case, hiring a professional cleaning service is a better and safer option. You may end up damaging the grout lines or the tiles.
Using Abrasive Cleaning Tools
You have to avoid using a rough sponge or steel wool to clean tiles. They will do more damage than polishing. These abrading tools can cause scratches and wear to the tiles. You had better use soft-bristled brushes instead. Still, you must avoid scrubbing too hard. For extra scrub power, you can try cleaning with baking soda. It cuts through grime without hurting surfaces. Mix it with water to a paste and scrub gently.
Ignoring Sealing Tiles
When tiles are brand new, they come sealed up nicely and tightly. Over years of use and cleaning, it starts to break down and thin out. Without protection, tiles get stained and damaged easily. If you leave them unsealed for too long, repairs can get costly down the road. Therefore, reseal your tiles every 1-2 years. The frequency depends on a number of factors. You should inspect the floor on a regular basis and ensure the seal is okay.
Neglecting Regular Maintenance
It’s easy to look at floors and think “They don’t look that bad yet”. But regular maintenance is key to keeping tiles fresh and easy to clean.
If you sweep or vacuum daily, it prevents dirt from really setting in over time. Mopping weekly or so catches small messes before they pile up. This little bit of effort saves you from deeper cleaning later on.
Not Hiring Professional Tile Cleaning
DIY cleaning is okay. But you will need professional cleaners at least once or twice a year. They have the necessary tools to clean tiles that you may not have. Besides, they are experts in cleaning tools. They are aware of what tools are safe and more effective. You may forget cautionary steps and make a few mistakes. Such chances are quite low when you hire professional cleaners.
Forgetting to Rinse the Floor
It’s a must thing to do. Still, homeowners often make this mistake during DIY cleaning. After the cleaning, the tiles have to be washed thoroughly with fresh water. Make sure no residue remains. They can attract dirt and grime, and promote the growth of mould.
Not Understand Your Tiles
Not all tiles are the same. And there is no universal cleaning solution for them all. Ceramics, porcelain, natural stone, etc., all have unique maintenance demands. For instance, acidic cleaners are completely avoidable for natural stones. You should identify your tiles first and study their cleaning. It’s better to take experts’ advice.
How Often Should You Clean Your Tiles?
Like we’ve mentioned already, you should never neglect regular floor tile maintenance. Here’s a simple approach you can take to keep up the cleaning frequency for tiles:
- Daily: Sweep or vacuum to remove loose dirt and debris
- Weekly: Mop with a pH-neutral cleaner
- Monthly: Deep clean grout lines and check for any needed repairs
- Annually: Professionally clean and reseal if necessary
Tips for Maintaining Clean Tiles
Keeping the pristine look of tiles is easier when you take care of a few simple things. Use door mats and furniture pads to protect the tiles from scratches. Regular sweeping with green cleaners help them keep shiny.
Tips for Stain Removal from Tiles
Different stains often need different approaches. For example:
- Oil-based stains: Use a paste of baking soda and water
- Organic stains (coffee, tea): Hydrogen peroxide solution
- Ink or dye: Bleach solution (carefully and only on white grout)
Mould Prevention on Tiles
Nothing ruins a fresh clean tile like a spot of black mould. Stay ahead of it with these tricks:
- Vent fans – Run fans in steamy rooms to zap moisture fast. This is especially crucial for kitchen tiles.
- Squeegee – Wipe down tiles after showers so water doesn’t sit and encourage mould.
- Grout shield – Apply a mould-blocking grout sealer during installation and touch-ups.
- Dry quick – Open a window in the bathroom after your shower for quick drying time.
When to Call Professional Tile Cleaners
Doing regular sweeping and mopping usually keeps your tiled floors fresh. But sometimes deep dirt or stains need expert help. A pro can also handle these tricky tile trouble signs:
- Set-in stains: Heavily soaked-in spots resist home scrubbing.
- Mouldy grout: Mildew takes a pro’s special tools and knowledge to scrub away safely.
- Water damage: Too much soaked-in moisture needs a drying expert before mould sets in.
- Resealing time: For the best sealant reapplication you should always seek professional help.
Professional cleaners have heavy-duty gear and special cleaning techniques for tiles to restore severely dirty floors. They’re worth calling for messy jobs, especially when you’re unsure how to clean tile floors.
Final Thoughts
Maintaining clean and beautiful tiles doesn’t have to be stressful. Simply avoid common mistakes and adopt the proper tile and grout care techniques outlined above. And if you ever feel overwhelmed, consider hiring our professional tile cleaning experts at Affordable Cleaning and Gardening Services. We are your reliable partner for tile cleaning in Parramatta. We have expert cleaning professionals trained to clean and handle every tile cleaning. Our cleaning methods and eco-friendly cleaning products are not only safe for both tiles and the environment.
