Ceramic tiles have been in use since the ancient times. They are massively popular because they are very sleek and relatively easy to maintain. They are composed of clay, water and sand and are well fired thus rendering them very tough and highly resistant to stains. However, the spills and debris that pile up on them can make them dirty. Ceramic tile floors thus require ample care in order to ensure that they remain squeaky clean even after use for a considerable amount of time. Therefore, if you opt to have ceramic tiles in your home floor, it is vital to come up with an ideal way of cleaning and maintaining to ensure that they remain in an impeccable condition. This article looks at the best and most efficient way of cleaning your ceramic tile floors to ensure that they are always clean.
- Sweeping and Vacuum Cleaning
The first thing you should do to clean your ceramic floor tiles is to sweep or vacuum them. You can sweep and remove any debris or particles that might be attached on the surface. Since you are dealing with ceramic tiles, be sure to use a broom or brush that is soft. Alternatively, you can use the delicate part of a vacuum cleaner to prevent any instances of scratching the surface of the ceramic tiles. This procedure should be preceded by first running a dry rug over the surface of the floor to remove any of the dust, which might culminate into mud after moistening.
- Using Vinegar
This entails placing half a cup of white vinegar into a gallon of water. After this, use a string mop and dip it into the vinegar solution. Proceed to wring it out and then delicately mop the floor with it. You should repeat this severally while replacing the solution frequently to ensure that there are no remaining clouds of dirt on the tiles. Finally, mop the tiles with very hot water and allow it to dry leaving a very clean surface.
Vinegar is very effective since it is a relatively mild acid thus it readily dissolves any water or grease stains. This coupled with its deodorizing and disinfecting properties renders it an ideal choice for use in the cleaning of ceramic tile surfaces.
- Using Baking Soda
It is vital to know that sometimes you will encounter very stubborn stains. You can clean these stains by applying a paste consisting of water and baking soda. Consider scrubbing using a cloth or very soft brush to leave the tiles sparkling. Baking soda can also be used to remove any form of soap residue from the ceramic tile floors.
- Using Club Soda and Lemon Juice
Club soda or lemon juice are used as effective natural polishes. Mix hot water or club soda with lemon juice and use the mixture to clean the tiles. After that, buff the tiles with a piece of clean cloth in order to restore their original glow and make them bright and sleek.
- Using Tea Tree Oil
Mold is very prevalent on any ceramic tile floors. This is where tea tree oil comes in handy. The addition of three teaspoons of tea tree oil into a spraying bottle full of warm water forms a very good concoction that is sprayed over the tiles in a bid to prevent any form of mold growth on the ceramic tile floors.
- Using Hydrogen Peroxide
Hydrogen peroxide is mixed with water in equal amounts and it is then used to clean the grout on the tiles once it becomes dirty. You can do this using a toothbrush to make sure that the scars are totally removed.
All the aforementioned tips ought to be taken into consideration when cleaning ceramic tile floors to ensure that these tiles remain in an optimum condition. Even though ceramic is a component, which is usually very solid and naturally very highly resistant to any form of wear and tear, the daily and regular maintenance of the tiles is paramount. This is because this kind of surface is still very prone and susceptible hence it can become much damaged and dull if ample care is not accorded to it. It is therefore very essential to ensure that any spills are cleaned as soon as they occur. Mopping, sweeping and dusting should be done on a regular basis as part of the maintenance exercise. Implement these tips and strategies and you will be able to achieve incredibly looking ceramic tile floors.