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The best ways to clean floor tiles in your home

Published on 26 Jul 2023

There are many advantages to having tiled floors in your home — and particularly in your kitchen. They are low-maintenance, offer plenty of design options and they’re long-lasting. Tiles are also termite-proof and help to prevent asthma and allergy attacks.

Another thing people regularly talk about concerning tiles is how easy they are to clean, but any homeowner with tiled floors will tell you that if tiles get dirty (particularly if they are white tiles) you’ll see the dirt from a mile away. We’ve put together some of the top ways to keep your tiled floors clean — including some surprising techniques that have been discovered over the years.

Your property inspiration

The tiled floors in this stunning Sandton home, nestled in the prestigious Dainfern Golf Estate, are kept in pristine condition, showcasing both their natural shine and the homeowner’s commitment to an aesthetic that turns heads. The brightness of the tiles is complemented by other features in the home, including the bright dining chairs and vibrant artwork. In the homeowner’s words, the best strategies for keeping tiles clean are simple: tile cleaner with lukewarm water, and regular mopping.

Clean Floor Tiles2

Make clean tiles a feature of your home

Committing to keeping your tiles clean will take some effort — but the rewards will be immediately seen, and they will also be felt when you walk barefoot through your home and feel the glistening cleanliness underfoot. Many homeowners feel that tiles are far easier to clean than other popular floors like laminate flooring. While it’s easy to inadvertently damage laminate flooring by applying too much water, tiles are far more robust and hard-wearing.

How can you deep clean your tiled floors?

There’s a big difference between gently cleaning your tiles (which should ideally be done every couple of days) and giving your tiles a deep clean. Deep cleaning involves taking extra steps, like scrubbing the grout lines and removing the dirt and stains that accumulate here over time. Use a grout brush or an old toothbrush dipped in a cleaning solution – and leave the cleaning solution on the grout for a few minutes to break down any grime or stains.

What is the best cleaner for dirty tiles?

A mild detergent and warm water are gentle and effective cleaners for most types of tiles, including ceramic, porcelain and natural stone. Mix a few drops of a pH-neutral tile cleaner with warm water in a bucket and you’re ready to go. If you have natural stone tiles, be aware that using acidic or abrasive cleaners can damage the surface of your tiles.

How do you clean tiled floors and make them shine?

If your tiles are clean but not shining quite as much as you’d like them to, rinsing the floor can be an important step. Do a thorough rinse with clean water to remove any cleaning-product residue. Don’t use the same mop that you used with your tile cleaner. Rather grab a clean mop, a dry microfibre cloth or even a towel. You can also polish your tiles, using a specialised tile sealer that provides a glossy finish. Just make sure that whatever products you are using are designed for use with the specific type of tiles that you have, and follow the product instructions carefully.

Your home should inspire you

Having clean floors is one of the foundations of having a home that you love because there’s nothing worse than feeling grime underfoot as you walk around. However, this is just one of the factors that will make you happy in a new home, and Lew Geffen Sotheby’s International Realty has its finger on the pulse of the type of things that you’ll love in a new home. If you’re looking to buy or rent property in any corner of South Africa, you’ll naturally want to deal with the most prominent real estate company in South Africa. Get in touch with us today.

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