How to clean tile floors like a pro.

The best ways to clean ceramic and porcelain tile floors.

Ceramic and porcelain tile are popular, cost-efficient flooring options for high-traffic areas in homes — especially areas like mudrooms, bathrooms and kitchens. Altogether, these choices are considered pretty low-maintenance, but that doesn’t mean they’re totally free of quirks.

Here’s what you’ll need to deep clean your tile floors and remove ingrained dirt:

• Vacuum cleaner, soft-bristle broom or dust mop
• All-purpose cleaner or mild dish soap/detergent
• Bucket
• Hot water
• Chamois mop
• Dry cloth

Step 1: Vacuum or sweep tile floors first to pick up loose dirt.

If you want to make your deep-cleaning job easier, preventive maintenance is key. Ceramic and porcelain tiles are prone to scratching if small chunks of debris get dragged across their surfaces. Use a soft-bristle broom, vacuum or dust mop to remove loose dirt on your floors. 

Step 2: Mix your cleaning solution.

Pour your mild detergent or all-purpose cleaner into a bucket with hot water. To avoid leaving behind a filmy residue, don’t go overboard with the soap. A few drops should be enough. 

You can buy a specialty tile and grout cleaner from a nearby retailer. Just make sure it’s non-abrasive and safe to use on your floors. Read your manufacturer’s cleaning guidelines before choosing your cleaning solution.

Related: 12 signs you need a house cleaner.

Step 3: Mop and dry.

You’ll want to opt for a chamois-type mop — not a sponge mop, which can make your grout even dirtier when moving the dirty water around. Be sure to keep the mop head free of dirt by rinsing it and changing out the dirty water frequently. 

Avoid air-drying your tile floors. Instead, dry them with a clean, soft lint-free cloth.

How to clean tile floor grout.

Your flooring says a lot about your home — and dirty grout between your floor tiles screams neglect.

Here’s what you’ll need to clean and remove those tough stains on your grout:

• Gloves
• Grout cleaner
• Toothbrush or grout brush

Step1: Choose and apply your grout cleaner. Put on a pair of gloves, and apply either your store-bought grout cleaner or one of the solutions you make on your own. Refer to your manufacturer’s guidelines before settling on one. Test a few different DIY and store-bought solutions on a small area in your home before applying the product to your entire floor.

Step 2: Remove tough stains from your tile grout. Let the cleaning solution sit on the dirty grout for ten to thirty minutes. For harder-to-remove stains, you may need to let the solution sit for a longer period of time. You may also want to use a nylon brush or toothbrush to scrub away the dirt.

Step 3: Apply a grout sealer. Tile grout is extremely porous, so it’s recommended that you seal it to prevent future stains. If it’s been over six months to a year since you last sealed your grout, it may be time to reseal it.

Related: How much does professional grout cleaning cost?

How to clean stone tile floors.

Slate, marble, granite, travertine, limestone — these natural stones create a timeless look that adds warmth and character to any home. Although many of the cleaning tips that apply to ceramic and porcelain also apply to stone, there are a few additional considerations to keep in mind: 

Step 1: Choose a mild, non-acidic cleaning product. Natural stone may be tough, but using a standard cleaning agent could damage its surface. Many common cleaning agents (including vinegar and lemon juice) are too acidic and could actually strip the tiles’ sealant coating or cause discoloration. Choose a pH-neutral cleaning product or a specific cleaner recommended in your owner’s manual. 

Step 2: Use a dust mop or soft cloth. Tools with stiff bristles can damage your natural stone’s surface by scuffing it and stripping the layer of sealant that's protecting it from the elements. Instead, use a dry dust mop on natural stone tile floors — or a soft cloth or soft-bristled brush on stone countertops, backsplashes and walls.

Step 3: Let the cleaning solution sit. If there’s a lot of dirt that won’t come off, apply more cleaner and give it several minutes to soak in. Once the cleaning solution has had a chance to break down the loose dirt, you should be able to remove it with a warm water rinse. 

Step 4: Seal it. Stone is naturally porous, meaning it can be vulnerable to penetration by water, oil and other staining agents, particularly in high-use areas like countertops and entryways. Seal the tile to protect it from damage.

Because the potential for damaging stone tile makes this a fairly risky task, it’s recommended you hire a professional to clean large swaths of natural stone flooring, counters, backsplashes or walls in your home. 

Tile and grout maintenance tips to remember.

Grout is an essential, non-negotiable component of any floor, backsplash or countertop, but it can be tricky to keep it in tip-top shape. Here’s how to keep your tile and grout looking great

Tip 1: Don’t wait — clean up spills when they happen.

While ceramic and porcelain tiles are fairly impervious to stains, grout is not. Clean up spilled wine or tracked-in mud to avoid stains.

Simply wipe away the spill with a damp cloth and a spritz of dishwashing detergent. Make sure the tile grout is clean, too. 

Related: How much does house cleaning cost?

Tip #2: Seal your grout at least once a year.

Grout is the weak link when it comes to keeping water out. That’s why many experts say it’s important to have a professional seal your grout every six months to one year. This protects the grout from absorbing water. It also gives your ceramic tile floors a more uniform waterproof surface.

Whether you’re thinking about sealing your grout or tile, always check your manufacturer’s manual first. It likely has instructions on how often you should be resealing.

Pro tip: When you hire a professional to reseal your grout, make the job easier by having the room clean and free of dust and debris. The surface will need to be lint-free and spotless to properly accept the sealant.

Tip #3: Use an alkaline cleaner instead of an acid-based cleaner.

Although tiles are fairly sensitive to the stiffness of bristles, grout can handle a stiffer brush such as a grout brush or toothbrush. The Tile Council of North America recommends you use an alkaline cleaner (or a specialty tile and grout cleaner) over an acid-based cleaner. 

If your grout is extremely dirty, needs to be resealed or is showing signs of needing repairs, it’s time to contact a professional. A professional grout and tile cleaner will restore your grout to like-new condition using the proper products.

Tip #4: Replace cracked, missing or peeling grout.

If you’re wondering whether it’s time to regrout completely, examine your grout’s condition. Properly sealed grout should last a long time. But if you notice it cracking, falling out or resisting cleaning despite consistent maintenance, it’s probably time to hire a pro to regrout. 

Here are a few other signs it may be time to regrout your bathroom or floor tiles:

• Your tiles are loose.
• The grout is discolored.
• There’s mold or mildew.
• It’s been 15 to 20 years since regrouting.
• You want your tiles to have a fresh, clean look.

However, don’t use regrouting as an easy fix for bigger issues. For example, if your tiles have severe water damage, you might need to replace or repair them.

Tip #5: Know your tile’s texture.

According to Cleaning & Maintenance Management (which is owned by ISSA, a leading trade association for the cleaning industry), it’s important to understand which porcelain tile texture you’re working with. The possibilities include:

• Polished
• Textured
• Matte

The most low-maintenance option is polished tile with a large format. This means there will be more tile and less grout, minimizing one of the more maintenance-intensive parts of cleaning. 

Textured tiles require a bit more cleaning, but they give the surface more character and are less slippery to walk on.

Finally, matte tile often requires the most upkeep because its unpolished surface is prone to collecting loose dirt. 

If you have polished ceramic tile floors that will receive foot traffic soon after cleaning, make sure to dry the surface with a clean cloth or dry mop instead of letting it air-dry to avoid slips.

Related: Your step-by-step house cleaning checklist.

Mistakes to avoid when cleaning tile floors.

Volumes could be written on proper tile care, but it’s important to know some of the most common mistakes homeowners make. Here are some of the most notable tile-cleaning don’ts:

• Don’t use a sponge mop (use a chamois mop instead).
• Don’t use harsh or acidic chemicals (especially on stone tiles).
• Don’t use ammonia or bleach on porcelain tiles.
• Don’t wait too long to clean up stains.
• Don’t over-scrub.
• Don’t air-dry your tile floors.
• Don’t use a metal brush to clean your grout (use nylon).
• Don’t neglect regular cleaning.
• Don’t drag heavy objects over your tile without protection.
• Don’t wait too long to hire a pro for repairs.

What are the best cleaners for tile floors?

Some of the best cleaners for tile floors include these DIY, homemade options:

• Warm water with dish soap
• Diluted vinegar and water (use with caution)
• Baking soda and water (use with caution)
• Oxygen bleach and water
• Baking soda, hydrogen peroxide and dish soap

Of course, you can find cleaning products specifically designed for ceramic, porcelain and tile floors. Make sure you read the label and check your manufacturer’s guidelines. When in doubt, choose a pH-neutral, non-abrasive, mild detergent.

How often should you clean tile floors?

You should practice daily (wipe up spills) and weekly (sweeping, vacuuming and mopping) cleaning habits for your tile floors. For a thorough cleaning, consider hiring a professional to deep clean your tile floors once or twice a year. 

Related: How to clean and maintain floors.

Will vinegar damage ceramic tile?

Generally, vinegar will not damage your ceramic tile floors. In fact, it can help you clean your floors and make your tile shine. However, you should exercise caution when using vinegar to clean your floors.

For example, make sure you’re not applying the vinegar without first mixing and diluting it with warm water. Also, vinegar may damage stone tile flooring, so avoid using it (and other acidic cleaners) on granite, marble and slate flooring. You should also never use vinegar to clean grout that is unsealed.

How do you make tile floors shine?

Wax, cleaning solutions and sealers can help make your tile floors shine. For example, you can:

• Apply wax to unglazed ceramic and porcelain tiles. Glazed tile is not meant to be waxed, however.
• Use a vinegar-and-water diluted solution to mop your floors.
• Create a baking soda paste with warm water and let it sit.
• Apply a high-gloss or water-based sealer that can give you the shine you want.

When should you contact a tile and grout cleaning professional?

In some cases, hiring a professional is the best way to clean tile floors — and protect your investment. Here are some signs it’s time to hire a pro to come to your home:

• The grout is dirty and stained.
• There’s a damp, musty smell.
• You notice leaks or warped flooring.
• There are gaps or cracks in the grout or caulking.
• Your tile surfaces are dull.
• Your tile floors are damaged or chipped.

Hire tile floor cleaning pros on Thumbtack.

Hiring a tile and grout professional is simple. Enter your zip code on Thumbtack to find highly rated professionals near you, including:

• Ceramic tile floor cleaners
• Floor tile cleaners
• Granite cleaners
• Grout sealers
• House cleaners
• Marble floor cleaners
• Tile and grout cleaners
• Tile contractors
• Tile repair professionals
• Tile sealers

By making sure the job is done right, you’ll avoid costly repairs down the road — all while enjoying the look of clean, beautiful tiles in your home.

Up next: What’s the best way to clean your carpets?