May 02, 2023

How to Clean Porcelain Tile

Welcome to our help from an expert on the best way to clean ceramic tile. With our years of experience in the cleaning business, we know how important it is to clean porcelain tiles the right way.

Porcelain floor tiles can be a beautiful addition to any home. But, if you're faced with a buildup of dirt or grime, they can look dull and unattractive.

That's why, in this piece, we'll show you how to clean porcelain tile by breaking it down in an easy-to-follow step-by-step guide. Whether you’re cleaning porcelain tiles after installation or doing general maintenance, we’ve got you covered. Between our guidance and the products on offer, your tiles are sure to look shiny and new once more.

What this article covers:

Home Remedies for Cleaning Porcelain Tiles
Step-By-Step Guide for Cleaning Porcelain Tiles
Dealing with Stubborn Stain

Home Remedies for Cleaning Porcelain Tiles

From what we've learned, you may prefer to use home remedies to clean your tiles, especially when you need a quick and cheap answer. Here are some tried-and-true tips for getting good results with common home items:

Warm Water & Mild Dish Soap

Mixing warm water and light dish soap is one of the easiest ways to clean porcelain tiles. This method is gentle enough to use on both glazed and unglazed tiles:

Put warm water in a bucket and a few drops of light dish soap in it.
Mix the solution well to make a blend that feels like soap.
Dip a soft cloth or mop into the mix and squeeze out the extra water.
Use the wet cloth or mop to wipe the floor surface, making sure to cover the whole area.
Rinse the cloth or brush with clean water and wring it out.
Wipe the floors again to get rid of any leftover soap.
Either let the surface air dry or use a clean, dry cloth to soak up any excess moisture.

Baking Soda & Water Paste

A baking soda paste can be a good way to get rid of tough stains and dirt:

In a small bowl, mix baking soda and water until you get a thick paste.
Use a soft brush or cloth to spread the paste on the damaged area.
Let it sit for ten to fifteen minutes so the paste can work on the stains.
Use a brush or cloth to gently scrub the area.
Use clean water to rinse the floor to get rid of the glue and dirt.
Use a clean, dry cloth to dry the surface.

White Vinegar & Water Solution

A mix of white vinegar and water is another quick and easy home remedy:

In a bucket, mix equal amounts of white vinegar and warm water.
Dip a soft cloth or mop into the solution and squeeze out the extra water.
Use a wet cloth or mop to clean the floor surface, making sure to cover the whole area.
Rinse the cloth or brush with clean water and wring it out.
Wipe the floors again to get rid of any leftover vinegar.
Use a clean, dry cloth to get rid of excess water, or just let the surface air dry.

Hydrogen Peroxide for Stubborn Stains

Hydrogen peroxide can be a good option for stains that are hard to get rid of or for grout that has discolored:

Pour a little bit of hydrogen peroxide onto a clean cloth or sponge.
Put the hydrogen peroxide right on the dirty spot
Give it a few minutes to get to work on the area.
Use a soft brush or cloth to rub the area.
Use clean water to rinse the floor to get rid of the hydrogen peroxide and dirt.
Use a clean, dry cloth to dry the surface.

Step-by-Step Guide for Cleaning Porcelain Tiles

To get the best results when cleaning ceramic tiles, you need to do things in a certain order. Here is a step-by-step plan that we've put together based on our experience and study. It covers everything from getting the right tools and materials to drying and rubbing the tiles after cleaning:

Gather the Necessary Tools & Materials

Before you begin, gather the following tools and materials:

Broom or vacuum cleaner

Soft cloth or mop

Bucket

A cleaning solution like Groutmaster or a home remedy.

Soft brush or sponge (for scrubbing)

Clean, dry cloth or towel (for drying)

We also recommend our Westpak Tile Blaster Wand and Turbo Force Hybrid Tile and Grout Cleaning Tool as helpful tools.

Prepare the Cleaning Solution

Choose the best cleaning product for your porcelain tiles:

If you don't have a professional cleaning product on hand, prepare your home remedy as discussed above.
For the best results, use a professional cleaning product like Groutmaster. Simply mix 1-2 scoops of the tile and grout cleaner in 1 gallon of water.

Sweep or Vacuum to Remove Loose Dirt

Before you put any cleaning solution on the tile, make sure to get rid of any loose dirt or debris:

Use a broom or a vacuum cleaner with a tile-friendly adapter to sweep the area well.
Pay extra attention to corners, edges, and grout lines, as this is where dirt likes to gather. Cleaning porcelain tile grout is essential for keeping up its appearance.

Apply the Cleaning Solution

Use the cleaning solution you picked on the ceramic tiles:

If you are using Groutmaster, a soapy water solution, a vinegar solution, or hydrogen peroxide, dip a soft cloth or mop into the solution and squeeze out the extra liquid.
If you are using a baking soda paste, use a soft brush or cloth to put the paste right on the spot.

Scrub & Rinse

Gently scrub the tiles to get rid of dirt and stains:

Wipe the tile surface with a wet cloth or mop to clean it, making sure to cover the whole area.
For spots or dirt that won't come off, scrub the area gently with a brush or cloth until the stain is gone.
Rinse the surface of the floor with clean water to get rid of any leftover cleaning solution.
During the washing process, if you need to, use a soft brush or sponge to get rid of any dirt or grime that is still there.

Dry & Buff

To keep the tiles from getting water spots and lines, it's important to dry and buff them after cleaning:

Wipe the floor with a clean, dry cloth or towel to remove any extra water.
Use a dry cloth or microfiber towel and light pressure in a circular motion to buff the tiles until they are shiny.
Let the tiles air dry fully before you walk on them or put anything on them.

Dealing with Stubborn Stains

Even if you clean your porcelain tiles regularly, they may still get stains that won't come out or grout that has discolored over time. To keep your tiles looking nice and clean, you need to know how to spot these problems and fix them.

As we know, different spots may need different ways or treatments to clean them. Here are some ways to get rid of common stains on porcelain tiles:

Soap scum or hard water stains: Use a mix of white vinegar and water, as explained above to dissolve and remove the buildup.

Mold and mildew: As explained in the section above use a hydrogen peroxide solution to kill mold and mildew and get rid of spots.

Rust: Mix lemon juice and salt together to make a paste, apply it to the rust spot, let it sit for a few hours, and then gently scrub it off.

Grease and oil: As explained in the section above, use a baking soda paste to soak up and get rid of grease and oil marks.

Food and drink spills: Use a solution of light dish soap and warm water, as explained above, to clean up spills and keep them from leaving stains.

Ink or paint: Put some rubbing alcohol on a clean cloth and rub the spot gently until the ink or paint comes off.

If one of these methods doesn’t work, you can also try steam cleaning your porcelain tile.

Conclusion

As you can see, cleaning porcelain floors and walls isn't as difficult as you might think. With our tips and tricks, you can have them looking spick and span in no time.

And we've also got you covered for cleaning supplies. From carpet repair tools to grout brushes, you can find everything you need right here.

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