How to Clean Tile Floors—From Ceramic to Cement Surfaces

By Shivani Vora

Knowing how to clean tile floors is not a one-approach-tackles-all situation. From ceramic and marble to porcelain and vinyl, a rudimentary tile cleaning approach is not always the same. That means cleaning tile floors, or any tile in general, may require several tactics. "Each tile type absorbs stains differently and has its own way that it needs to be properly cleaned," says Janice Stewart, the owner of Castle Keepers House Cleaners in Charleston, South Carolina. "Also, some tiles are more porous than others." For instance, using bleach to remove a wine stain from vintage ceramic tile may result in yellowing. Here, five common materials and tips on how to clean tile floors in any room—from the kitchen to the porch to the bathroom.

Keep that marble gleaming with a gentle solution of suds and water.

Though long-lasting, marble and granite tile is generally porous and soaks up a lot of dirt, including the cleaning solution, so you should be careful to spray with caution. "This type of natural tile material should be cleaned with an abundance of water before anything else," says Stefan Bucur, founder of the home improvement site Rhythm of the Home. "The cleaning process is usually pretty straightforward."

For spills like coffee, wine, solid food, and grease, sweep all the crumbs and solidified bits first. Then, concentrate on stubborn stains by letting them soak in a gentle cleaning solution before starting the rest of the process. Be careful not to use anything too acidic, especially when it comes to cleaning marble tile, as it can yellow or eat away at the material. The next step is to dampen the whole surface with a mop to loosen all the dry dirt. After the surface is damp enough, use a cleaning solution like dish soap mixed with water. The last step is to make sure that all the stains are gone before letting the drying process begin. "Since these are porous tiles, the water you just used to clean the stains will have to evaporate before the cleaning process is complete," Bucur says.

Stewart adds that daily care of these tiles is important too. You should vacuum or dust-mop everyday to remove grit and soil contaminants before they damage floors.

Linoleum upkeep is easy with a vinegar-based cleaning solution.

Common in bathrooms and kitchens, these tiles are fairly hardy, according to Stewart, but prone to a film from hard water and soap. You can get rid of the white spots and splatters by mopping floors and wiping walls with a diluted white vinegar solution. "Use a slightly damp mop because a totally wet one will allow water to leak in between the cracks, which can ruin those tiles," Stewart says. Bucur encourages using a vinyl cleaning solution, as ammonia-based chemicals could damage the material.

Ceramic tile needs a regular cleaning routine to stay in top shape.

Generally, ceramic tile cleaning is straightforward. You can use most cleaning sprays to clean the surface. Mix a few drops of dish soap in warm soapy water in a bucket, then mop up the grime. Make sure to change the water frequently as to prevent dirty water re-soiling the clean tile. For an extra dose of gleam with a bout of aromatherapy use Koala Eco Natural Floor cleaner with mandarin and peppermint. The essential oils are gentle on the material and leave a trail of the perky scent. To make the ceramic tile floor shine, make a paste of baking soda and water and buff away any stubborn stains as you polish.

Skip abrasive cleaners and rough sponges when maintaining porcelain tile.

By Joyce Chen

By Chloe Malle

By Troy J. McMullen

Porcelain tile, like ceramic tile, is made out of clay, but it is denser and more water-resistant, which makes it perfect for bathroom floors. That said, you should be careful when using abrasive household goods like baking soda, salt, and Borax when it comes to your porcelain tile floor cleaning routine. If you must treat a stubborn stain, test out a small area first.

Keep a limestone patio stain free with setting a power washer on the lowest setting for a gentle scrub.

Cement and limestone tile, usually found in the garage, porch, patio, or the basement, are very porous, Stewart says. Vacuum and mop weekly to keep tile in pristine shape. "If these tiles are in a high-traffic area, you may need to clean more often," Stewart adds.

Bucur recommends using a stiff-bristled dry brush on these tile types to eliminate the stuck-on dirt. If the tiles are indoors, use a traditional mop with hot soapy water to tackle stains. For outdoor flooring, Bucur suggests a power washer (set on low) once a season to remove dirt quickly and efficiently.