How to Clean Ceramic Floor Tile

Co-authored by Art Fricke

Last Updated: February 5, 2023 References

Cleaning ceramic floor tile is simple as long as you do so regularly and don’t allow heavy soil to build up. Regularly vacuuming, sweeping or dry mopping your flooring will save you from having to scrub and use stronger cleansers. For a deeper clean, start with the mildest technique, which is warm water. If your tile is unglazed, you should only use plain water for cleaning. For glazed tile, you can use a soap and water solution, or a household cleaner that’s compatible with ceramic tiling. With the latter, you should always do a test area first.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Cleaning Your Tile Floor Routinely

1
Sweep or vacuum twice a week. Using a dry mop or vacuum is ideal, although you can sweep with a broom if you’re in a hurry.^{[1]
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Go to source} Opt for a soft and fluffy dust mop, preferably with a removable end that’s machine washable.^{[2]
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Research source} Don’t use a vacuum with a beater bar, which can scratch or dull your flooring. Try a vacuum attachment for bare floors or a soft head attachment.^{[3]
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- Mops with disposable dusters are more expensive in the long run and tend not to clean as well as fluffy, washable mop heads.
- For quick sweeping, brooms with rubber bristles work well.
2
Use a wet mop on unglazed tile every day. Vacuum or sweep first. Fill a bucket with plain warm water. Rinse the mop often, and replace the water when it looks dirty.^{[4]
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- Avoid using a sponge mop, since it can drive dirty water into the grout.^{[5]
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- Unglazed tile can only be cleaned with water, thus it needs more regular cleaning than glazed tile in order to avoid staining.
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3
Mop glazed tile weekly. Vacuum or sweep before using a wet mop. Fill a bucket with warm water. You can add a drop of dish soap to a gallon of water if your glazed tiles are visibly dirty. Rinse the mop frequently, and change out the water when it gets dirty.^{[6]
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- Avoid using a sponge mop, which can deposit dirty water into grout.^{[7]
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- If you used soap, follow up with at least one rinse using a mop and plain water.
4
Dry the floor with clean towels. This will pick up any leftover dirt, prevent water spots, and give your flooring shine. Drying your flooring is especially important if you have unglazed tiles.^{[8]
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- Unglazed tiles are more porous than glazed tiles, and if they are left wet will be more likely to accumulate organic staining from mold or mildew.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Removing Stubborn Stains

1
Pre-wet the floor. Use a mop and warm water to wet your tile flooring before using cleaning agents. Tile is porous and will absorb the water to prevent chemicals from penetrating the tile.^{[9]
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- You can loosen tough dirt before wetting the floor with a broom, or after the floor is wet using a plastic pot scrubber.
2
Scrub mold or mildew with soap and water. Fill a bucket with warm water and a couple of drops of dish soap. Scrub the floor with a nylon or natural bristle brush.^{[10]
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Expert Interview. 1 July 2020.}^{[11]
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- You can leave the cleaning solution on the floor for ten to fifteen minutes, as long as it you don’t let it dry on the tile.
3
Rinse the tiles. After scrubbing, rinse the flooring – twice, if possible – with plain water. Dry the flooring with terry cloth towels, if needed.^{[12]
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- If soap and water haven’t worked, try a household or commercial floor cleaner intended for ceramic tile.
4
Test the floor before using any chemical or acid cleaner. Find an inconspicuous area and make a small test spot with the cleaner. Use acid-based or chemical cleaner with caution, only if necessary and always following the manufacturer’s instructions. Make sure to thoroughly pre-wet the floor first, and completely rinse it afterwards.^{[13]
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- Acid-based cleaner may be necessary to remove lime or cement mortar staining.
- Never use abrasive cleaners like powdered cleansing agents, baking soda or even creams advertised as “mildly” abrasive. These can damage the tile’s surface and design.
5
Brighten the grout. Fill a bucket with an ounce of Murphy Oil Soap, 1/2 cup white vinegar, and two gallons of warm water. Dip a toothbrush or other narrow brush into the bucket and gently scrub the grout. Avoid the tiling as much as possible.^{[14]
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- Since some contact with the tile is inevitable, perform a test first in a small area.
- Allow the diluted cleaner to air dry on the grout.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Maintaining Ceramic Tile

1
Clean dirt and spills right away. Avoid staining and damage by cleaning dirt as soon as you notice it, and wiping off spills when they occur. Keep absorbent cloths near your tile floor for easy access, especially near exterior doors and during wet or snowy seasons. Wet a cloth with warm water to wipe away tracked-in dirt and spills.^{[15]
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2
Minimize tracked-in dirt. Keep doormats near exterior doors. Consider adding an extra mat for shoes, and removing shoes as soon as you enter the house. Shake the mats off frequently.^{[16]
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- Wipe pets’ feet with a towel before they re-enter the house during wet weather.
3
Use mats to reduce wear to your tile floors. Place mats in areas of your home that receive high traffic, such as in front of sinks and stoves. Place protective pads underneath heavy furniture.

Expert Q&A

Question

What is the best cleaner for ceramic floors?

Andrii Gurskyi
House Cleaning Professional
Andrii Gurskyi is the owner and founder of Rainbow Cleaning Service, a New York City cleaning company specializing in apartments, homes, and moving cleanup using non-toxic and artificial fragrance free cleaning solutions. Founded in 2010, Andrii and Rainbow Cleaning Service has served over 35,000 customers.

Andrii Gurskyi

House Cleaning Professional

Expert Answer

Try the least-harsh options first. The most common eco-friendly cleaner is a mixture of vinegar, baking soda, and dish soap. The solution works on most surfaces.
Question

How do you get mold or mildew off a ceramic floor?

Art Fricke
Home Renovation & Repair Specialist
Art Fricke is a home renovation and repair specialist and the owner of Art Tile & Renovation based in Austin, Texas. With over 10 years of experience, he specializes in bathroom and kitchen renovations. Art focuses on a single contractor approach to customized renovation work, and performs projects such as installing custom tile showers, fixing tiled shower leaks, replacing cracked tiles, and installing floor and wall tile.

Art Fricke

Home Renovation & Repair Specialist

Expert Answer

Mix soap and warm water into a clean bucket. Then, dip a scrub bush into the soapy water. Scrub the mold or mildew until it comes off the floor. If the stain is stubborn, let the soapy water sit for 10-15 minutes before scrubbing.

Warnings

Avoid cleaning product with bleach or ammonia, which can result in fading.^{[20]
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Don’t use mechanical equipment like a steam cleaner on your ceramic tile flooring.^{[21]
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