Deep Cleaning Tile Floors
Tile floors — ceramic or porcelain, common in Ontario kitchens and bathrooms — are durable but collect grime in grout lines and develop a dull haze from cleaning product buildup over time. A proper deep clean restores the original look and significantly extends the floor's lifespan.
The Method
- Dry sweep or vacuum first: Remove all loose debris before any wet cleaning. Wet mopping without sweeping first turns grit into a paste that scratches tile and muddies the water immediately
- Degrease if needed: Kitchen tile floors accumulate a grease film from cooking. Apply a diluted degreaser (dish soap and hot water, or a purpose-made tile degreaser) and let dwell 5 minutes before mopping
- Mop with hot water: Hot water is more effective than warm for tile. Wring the mop thoroughly — tile floors should be damp-mopped, not wet-mopped. Excess water sits in grout lines and encourages mould
- Change water frequently: Dirty mop water re-deposits grime. For a full kitchen or large bathroom, change water at least once mid-clean
- Grout lines: A stiff brush (or electric scrubber) with an oxygen bleach solution tackles grout. Work section by section, scrub, and rinse
- Rinse pass: A final pass with clean water removes cleaning product residue that causes the dull haze
What Not to Use
- Vinegar on natural stone tile (marble, travertine): The acid etches the surface permanently. Vinegar is fine on ceramic and porcelain
- Oil-based soaps (Murphy Oil Soap): Leave a residue film that builds up over time
- Steam mops on unsealed grout: Force moisture into unsealed grout, accelerating mould