7 Damage-Free Ways to Clean Tiles with a DIY Vinegar Solution

Co-authored by Susan Stocker and Kyle Hall

Last Updated: August 26, 2021 References

If you’re looking for an all-natural, environmentally-friendly tile cleaner, you probably already have one in your pantry: vinegar. Vinegar kills germs, dissolves soap scum and mineral deposits, and leaves tiles sparkling clean. But before you go soaking your tiles with it, there are a few precautions you’ll want to take to make sure they don't get damaged. Don’t worry—we’ve put together some tips to help you use vinegar on your tiles safely so you can get brilliantly clean tiles without the use of any chemicals.

1

Use vinegar to clean porcelain and ceramic tiles.

Porcelain and ceramic are durable enough to handle some acidity. Vinegar contains acetic acid, which is an effective all-natural cleaner that can be used on all kinds of different surfaces around the home.^{[1]
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Research source} Vinegar that contains 5% acetic acid, like white vinegar, can kill germs and remove soap scum and mineral deposits on surfaces.^{[2]
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Research source} However, since vinegar is acidic, it’s not safe to use on all surfaces. The only types of tile you’ll want to clean with vinegar are porcelain and ceramic.^{[3]
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2

Skip the vinegar for cement and natural stone tiles.

Acidic cleaners like vinegar can damage cement and natural stone. Cement and natural stone tiles are beautiful, but they’re also more delicate. Vinegar and other acidic cleaners can stain them, etch the surface, and end up ruining their appearance, so steer clear of vinegar when you’re cleaning them. This goes for all tiles made from cement or natural stone, including quartz, travertine, granite, marble, limestone, and slate tiles.^{[4]
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- Use a pH-neutral cleanser, like dish soap, to clean cement and natural stone tiles without damaging them.

3

Dilute the vinegar with water first.

Most experts recommend diluting vinegar before cleaning with it. Vinegar diluted with water will be less harsh on surfaces. Mix vinegar with an equal amount of water whenever you’re using it to clean surfaces around your home, including tile.^{[5]
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Research source} Dilute the vinegar in a spray bottle for cleaning small areas of tile, like the tile in your shower, or in a bucket if you’re cleaning tile floors.^{[6]
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Expert Source

Susan Stocker
House Cleaning Professional
Expert Interview. 8 November 2019.}

4

Don’t mix vinegar with bleach.

Vinegar mixed with bleach can produce dangerous chlorine gas. Chlorine gas exposure can cause irritation, breathing problems, and in extreme cases, death.^{[7]
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Research source} Plus, bleach can actually damage and discolor the grout between tiles over time.^{[8]
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Research source} If you’re cleaning with vinegar, leave the bleach under the sink.

5

Avoid abrasive cleaning tools.

Abrasive cleaning tools can scratch the surface of your tiles. The last thing you want after cleaning your tiles is to end up with noticeable scratch marks in the finish.^{[9]
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Research source} The best way to avoid that is to use a soft, gentle cleaning tool, like a non-scratch scrub pad.^{[10]
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Research source} You can also use a clean cloth or chamois mop (a mop works great when you’re cleaning tile floors).^{[11]
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- Avoid stiff-bristled brushes, scouring pads, and any other tools with tough, abrasive surfaces. Your tiles will thank you for it!

6

Sweep tile floors before cleaning them with vinegar.

It’s important to sweep away any loose dirt and debris. Dirt and debris can actually scratch tile floors, so you don’t want to be scrubbing any particles into the tiles as you’re cleaning them with vinegar.^{[12]
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Research source} The best way to avoid that is to give your tile floors a good sweeping before you clean them.^{[13]
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Research source} Once your floors are cleared off, you’re ready to go in with the vinegar.
- A vacuum will work too, but make sure it has a soft-bristle attachment so it doesn’t scratch the floors.^{[14]
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7

Apply the vinegar to your tiles, then wipe or mop it away.

Use a gentle cleaning tool to work the vinegar into the tile. If you’re cleaning a small tile surface, like the tiles in your shower, spray your diluted vinegar mixture on the tiles and let it sit for 5-10 minutes. Then, wipe the vinegar away from top to bottom in an S-pattern.^{[15]
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Research source} If you’re cleaning tile floors, use a clean cloth or chamois mop to work the vinegar mixture into the tiles. Then, immediately use a dry, lint-free cloth to wipe up all of the vinegar.^{[16]
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- Clean your tiles once every 1-2 weeks to keep them looking their best.^{[17]
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Warnings

Never mix vinegar with bleach. Mixing the two creates chlorine gas, a toxic gas that can cause irritation, breathing problems, and even death.^{[19]
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