Effective cleaning of kitchen and bathroom tiles

There are many types of tile used for indoor flooring, common examples are natural stone (slate, granite) and man-made tiles such as ceramic which can come in a variety of finishes.  It is very common to find these tiles in areas where spillages are common – areas such as kitchens and bathrooms – as they are relatively easy to clean and the surface does not get damaged by liquids as would materials such as hardwood.  Although they are maintenance friendly, any floor can quickly become marked and stained if not looked after, especially common spillage areas.

There are various tips relating to cleaning and maintenance which, if carried out frequently, should keep your floor looking good for many years to come.  For the purpose of this article we will assume that the tiles are in good condition and that they have been correctly or professionally installed.

The first area to focus on with tiles is the tile grout.  Grout is a construction material which is used to fill voids and seal joints – precisely like those found between tiles – and generally consists of a mixture of sand, cement and water.  As such it is a porous substance that will stain easily which, while it may not sound like a big problem, can affect the overall aspect of the floor.  Even though the grout makes up a very small percentage of the surface area of the floor – when it stains the floor can look dulled, uneven and generally unsatisfactory.

Grout can be cleaned, but you would probably need to contact a specialist in cleaning floor tile to do it for you and you would be better served by applying a grout sealant, which can either be transparent or colour.  This will offer a barrier to protect the material, while the material itself can offer a uniform finish and can even be mixed to match the colour you wish.

The surface of the tiles themselves is easy to clean, but it is important to regularly do a few things.  The first is to sweep regularly to remove any dirt or grit particles that may be present and mop the floor clean once or twice a week.  This can be done with warm water or with a little added soap, before being rinsed and left to dry naturally.  It is a good idea to apply a surface sealant to help protect the surface, although this need not be done after every cleaning.  It is necessary to apply the right type of sealant depending on the material and a company which specializes in cleaning floor tile will be able to recommend one for you.

Indoor floor tile maintenance – The grout

Indoor tiled flooring can come in the form of natural stone (such as slate, lime and sandstone and granite) or fabricated tiles in a variety of materials and finishes.  Tile are often chosen as, after correct installation, they are visually very appealing as well as being relatively low maintenance and easy to clean.  This is particularly true of the surface of the tile, which is invariably durable, resistant and, in the case of ceramic tiles, has a wipe-clean surface dramatically reducing the amount of work necessary to keep them looking good.

One reason that maintaining a tiled floor may not always be simple is the presence of ‘tile grout’.  Grout is a construction material – typically composed of a mixture of sand, cement and water and is used to fill voids and seal joins such as those between tiles.  As a material – it is highly porous, meaning that it is not particularly resistant to liquids and this porosity means that it stains very easily.  Particularly in the case of ceramic tiles, grout makes up a very small percentage of the overall surface area of the floor, yet if it becomes stained or marked – the effect on the floor can be significant.  Stained or discolored grout can lead to an uneven or dulled and visually unsatisfactory appearance overall.

When grout becomes marked it can be very difficult so it is particularly important to stop it from getting marked in the first place.  Obviously the same tips that apply to cleaning the floor apply to the grout but it is particularly important to clean up spillages as soon as they occur to avoid a potential stain.  If the grout does get affected you will probably have to contact a specialist in cleaning floor tile, or apply a colour grout sealant.  

A grout sealer is a good way to help protect the floor.  The sealant essentially ‘waterproofs’ and will help prevent staining from spillages or in general, as well as facilitating cleaning efforts.  A general floor sealant will help, but there are separate clear and colour grout sealants which offer more protection and will, in the case of the colour sealant, provide a uniform finish in the colour of your choosing.  It can also be applied over already marked grout to ‘mask the problem’ and can be mixed to compliment an existing colour.

The protection offered by a sealant is a fundamental step, although it does not imply that subsequent cleaning efforts can be ignored!  If grout does become stained and you need it cleaned, in this case you will need to contact a company which deals with cleaning floor tile and will be able to utilize heat and pressure cleaning techniques to deal with the problem.  They can also be contacted for the recommendation and application of colour grout sealant.

Effective basics of Cleaning slate floors

Slate is one of a variety of different types of natural stone flooring that have become common in indoor domestic locations.  Natural stone floors such as slate are chosen due to a visually appealing finish which is natural and unique as well as durability which makes it a sound investment over the years.  The inherent durability means that the floor will last a long time but it is still vitally important to maintain the floor and to clean regularly in order to keep the floor, which can easily mark, looking good for many years to come.

The actual process of cleaning is not complicated but needs to be done regularly in order to be effective.  It is also important that you follow certain dos and don’ts as you will want to avoid marking, staining and surface scratching wherever possible.  Surface scratching can lead to an unsatisfactory appearance and can also allow for bacteria and grime to build up and stain overtime.  It is not uncommon to see an unpleasant black mark on the floor – which is probably a scratch into which dirt has built up over time.

Most scratching to the surface is actually caused by particles of grit, sand and dirt on the floor and usually walked into the environment on the soles of shoes.  It is obviously paramount to make sure as little of this is introduced as possible, but you can also help matters by simply sweeping the floor as often as possible.  This should be done especially before you clean the floor, and you may also consider cleaning the floor with a fine dust mop before you start.

After the floor has been swept, you should mop it clean.  Assuming this is done regularly, you should need no more than warm water with a little soap or detergent or other neutral PH cleaner.  You should mop the floor thoroughly, rinsing the mop as often as you can and then rinse the floor with clean water afterwards to remove any soapy residue.  The floor should then be left to dry naturally, which can take time if the day is cold or humid.  If regular mopping is not effective or is not done frequently enough, you may find yourself with a build-up of grime and staining which can be tough to remove, especially if the grout has been affected.  In this case you may need to contact a specialist in cleaning slate floors to assist you.

After the floor has been cleaned you should consider the application of a sealant which should offer a little extra protection and facilitate future cleaning efforts.  This will not need to be done every time you clean, but is advisable every other month.  Sweeping should still be done as often as possible to protect the sealant from scratches.

If you find that regular cleaning ceases to be effective, or that the floor has become stained, marked or scratched or that the grout has been discolored, you should consider contacted a company which deals with cleaning slate floors.  A company will be able to take advantage of modern cleaning techniques such as heat and pressure cleaning and emulsification and effective capture of waste and residue to restore your floor to its original state.