If cleaning the floors involves more effort than a quick sweep of a hallway entrance, few of us are enthusiastic about housekeeping. Mention the words “scrub the floor,” and many of us will find another way to keep busy.

Who wants to take on this daunting task?

Fortunately, clean tiles are easy to achieve. Below, we’ll cover different methods for cleaning tiles on the floor, ranging from ceramic to linoleum, and some tips to keep them clean. 

1. How to clean porcelain tile floors or ceramic floors

Porcelain and ceramic tiles are some of the most common floor fixtures you’ll encounter. Easy to clean, pretty on the eyes, and a standard for kitchens and bathrooms, these two surfaces are preferable to high-end limestone or granite. Cleaning takes longer for these specialty stones, and you’re more likely to damage the expensive material. Avoiding damage requires special cleaning supplies. 

Here are some handy DIY methods for any other type of tile you’ll have at home. 

The tools you’ll need to scrub porcelain or ceramic include:

• A bucket and a mop.

• A dry cloth.

• Warm water.

• Tile cleaner.

• Dish soap.

For regular wear and tear, use the following floor cleaning tips and tricks:

• Sweep or vacuum the tile floors once a week to stop dirt from pressing into the grout. 

• Use a simple warm water and vinegar solution to clean the tile every other week and avoid buildup. 

Occasionally, you’ll need a heavier-duty cleaning solution to clean ceramic tile floors. Spots of discoloration of water spots on bathroom floors will need a true tile cleaner. 

In situations like these:

1. Sweep the floor before cleaning to make sure excess dirt is cleared away.

2. Grab an all-purpose cleaner, dish soap, or your white vinegar and warm water mix. 

3. Dunk your mop into the mixture, then squeeze out the extra liquid. Scrub at the floor with the mop using a steady back-and-forth motion until the stains disappear.

4. Let the floor stay wet for approximately 10 minutes.

5. While waiting, dispose of the dirty water. Refill your bucket with clean water.

6. Once the 10 minutes are up, scrub at the floor with the new water, then wipe it dry. 

7. Make sure excess water is removed from the tiles and let the remaining surface air dry.

If you need to know how to clean hard water stains on ceramic tile, you may need a store-bought solution. You’ll have to tackle the space in between the tiles, too — what’s the point in having clean ceramic tiles if you’ve got dirty grout?

To learn how to clean tile grout:

1. Grab a cleaning product specifically designed for cleaning grout.

2. Follow the care instructions of the grout cleaner. This usually means scrubbing at the grout with a toothbrush or a nylon brush, letting the mixture sit for a time, then rinsing it off with warm, fresh water.

3. Make sure you leave no pools of water sitting on the grout. Letting it rest can eventually lead to mildew, especially in the bathroom.

Be aware when you’re learning how to clean grout that paler shades of grout can stain easier and you may need more elbow grease for lighter colors. 

2. How to clean marble tile floors

Marble tile is one of the most high-maintenance types of flooring. Avoid anything with lemon, vinegar, or a high pH level when cleaning these tiles, as the acid in these solutions can cause damage. 

You’ll need to use a microfiber cloth to wipe away stains. Avoid any brushes with stiff bristles; metal scrubbers can carve grooves in the surface. If you need to sweep the floor before washing, use a soft-bristle broom. Once again, this will stop you from scratching the marble’s overly soft surface.

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3. The best way to clean tile floors made of vinyl or linoleum

Vinyl and linoleum are frequently found in apartment buildings. These two surfaces are easy on the eyes and resilient to wear and tear. You won’t need any equipment to clean tile floors except the list below. 

Just remember:

• Sweep or vacuum before mopping.

• Use a water and vinegar solution or another natural cleaning product for vinyl, and use a specific linoleum cleaner for linoleum floors. You can use a borax detergent mixed with water, too, if you already have this on hand, thanks to your household cleaning checklist. 

• Wipe the grime away with a clean cloth. Never use a metal scrubber because it can scratch the tile’s surface.

Curious about how to maintain your tile floors? Apply a wax coat every six months to keep its linoleum's quality finish. Vinyl floors don’t need a wax coat because they’re usually coated with a protective seal upon installation (which is why you shouldn’t use metal scrubbers on the material).

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How to maintain your clean floors

How often should you clean your floors?

• The time between mopping varies depending on the tile surface. In general, always err on the side of common sense. Clean fresh dirt up right away instead of waiting for it to dry, and if there’s a food spill, rinse the stain before it turns tacky. All of these steps will keep your tiles shining longer and make keeping the floors clean a low maintenance task.

How do I fix broken floor tiles?

• If you’re a renter and your tiles are cracked or otherwise damaged, you’ll need to contact your landlord to get them repaired. If you own your own home, call a professional. 

• Make sure you don’t use excess water while mopping to prevent liquid from seeping beneath the tiles and causing dampness to spread.

What should I not use to clean my floors?

• Don’t use metal or wire scrubbers on tile.

• Avoid cleaners that can have an adverse reaction to the tile material. (Always check the ingredients.) 

• If you’re sensitive to certain scents, avoid store-bought cleaners with a strong fragrance. 

Learning to clean tiles may seem tedious, but it doesn’t have to be. There’s no best solution to clean tile floors, but with a bit of elbow grease, a few different cleaning methods, and some repurposed dish soap, you can remove grime from any tile. 

Best of all? Gopuff can deliver most of these products straight to your door in minutes to make the process run smoothly.