You can find porcelain tiles in a range of different styles and colors that look magnificent. Porcelain tile floors are also incredibly durable and can last you for years. When it comes to cleaning these tiles, you’ll want to carefully consider the methods that you use as you can clean the various types of porcelain tiles in different ways.
To learn more about what the different kinds of porcelain tiles are and how to best clean them, check out our post below.
Different Types Of Porcelain Tile Floors
To provide your porcelain tile floors with the best cleanse for maximum shine, you’ll want to know what type of tiles you have so that you can utilize the best cleaning methods.
Unglazed
Unglazed porcelain tile floors have been made with clay and silica materials that are compressed together. Once they’ve been tightly compressed, they’re blasted with high temperatures to create tiles that are super strong and able to resist being damaged by water. They’re also less prone to having surface damages such as scratches.
Glazed
Glazed porcelain tile floors are constructed in the same way that unglazed tiles are. However, the outer layer of the tiles is implemented with a glass in liquid form. This is what provides these porcelain tiles with their glazed finish. As a result, you have more options when it comes to colors and designs.
Textured
Textured porcelain tile floors are made to look like different kinds of flooring, such as hardwood or stone floors.
Methods For Cleaning Unglazed Porcelain Tiles
Microfiber Mop
The first step to cleaning unglazed porcelain tile floors is to use a dust mop. However, the type of mop that you use is important because unglazed porcelain tiles don’t have a layer over the top which can leave them more exposed to abrasive tools.
So, we recommend that you use a mop that has a microfiber head. Microfiber mops are more effective at capturing dust particles rather than just pushing them around.
Cleaning Solution & Mopping
After you’ve swept the floors with the microfiber mop, it’s time to start washing the tiles. Make sure that you use a solution that’s mild so that you can avoid causing any damage to the floors.
You can find cleaning solutions that have been made specifically for unglazed tiles. It’s best to stick with these solutions as you can feel more confident in knowing that they won’t cause damage.
Use a small quantity of the solution to begin with and use a mop to start cleaning. You may need to use a brush with soft bristles for getting rid of tough stains. When you’ve finished cleaning the floor, be sure to rinse it with water.
You must remove the water from the floors once you’ve rinsed it because unglazed porcelain tiles are more prone to letting water penetrate and cause damage. Therefore, it’s best to use a towel or cloth to absorb the excess water left over.
Methods For Cleaning Glazed Porcelain Tiles
Removing Dirt
Begin by removing as much dirt and dust from glazed porcelain tiles by using a dust mop or a vacuum. The Moosoo XL-618A is a versatile vacuum that can be used on hard floors, such as tiles, as well as carpets.
Vacuums can be a great way to remove smaller dust and dirt particles. You may also want to use a broom with soft bristles to sweep up larger pieces of dirt.
When it comes to using a mop, we recommend that you use one with a microfiber head as it’s effective at collecting more dust particles.
Getting Rid Of Stains
Due to the glossy finish of glazed porcelain tiles, they can be more prone to staining. To get rid of stains in tiles, pour a small quantity of warm water on the area and use a brush with nylon bristles to scrub it away.
For especially difficult stains, you may need to use a cleaning product. It’s best to stick with cleaning products that have been made for glazed porcelain tiles to ensure that it works effectively and doesn’t damage your floors. Be sure to follow the instructions of your chosen cleaning product carefully.
Mopping
Once you’re happy that dust, dirt, and stains have been removed, you can start mopping the tiles. Again, be sure to use a cleaning solution that has been specifically made for glazed porcelain tile floors.
Mop the area by starting at the back of the room. By starting at the back, you’re able to avoid stepping on areas that you’ve cleaned and by the end, you’ll be able to simply step out of the room at the entrance/exit.
Use clean water to rinse the tile floors from the solution to prevent any residue from being left over. While glazed porcelain tiles have an extra layer on top that prevents water from seeping in, you’ll still want to dry them properly to avoid watermarks on the surface.
Use a dry towel or cloth to dry the area thoroughly. You may also want to set up multiple fans in the room to aid in the drying process.
If you were interested in adding some extra shine to your glazed porcelain tiles, you can use a special polishing pad.
Methods For Cleaning Textured Porcelain Tiles
Sweeping
Since textured porcelain floors are made to look like different kinds of floors, it leaves more room for dust and dirt particles to get trapped. Therefore, you should use a broom to sweep the floors going in a single direction. Afterward, you can sweep the floors going in the opposite direction to sweep up as much dirt as possible.
Mopping
Once the dirt and dust have been removed, use a mild cleaning solution and a microfiber mop to start washing the tiles. For stains, we recommend leaving the cleaning solution to absorb for around 10 minutes before using a soft brush to scrub them away.
For the rest of the tiles, use the microfiber mop in circular motions to cleanse it before rinsing it with clean water. You can then use a dry cloth or towel to thoroughly dry the floors.
Conclusion
Cleaning the various types of porcelain floors requires slightly different cleaning methods which we’ve guided you through in this post. As a result, you’ll be able to feel more confident when it comes to cleaning your porcelain tile floors as you can achieve a deep clean without causing any damage.
Remember, mild cleaning solutions are always best for porcelain tiles. Furthermore, using microfiber mops and soft bristles is imperative to ensure you don’t diminish the quality of your floors. Drying them properly is the final step to having porcelain tiles that are clean and free from damages.
