How do I clean a very old, dirty and stained tile floor?
by
Lynn
+2
I moved into a house that has the original, ( I think ceramic) tile, it’ has wax and dirt built up, I’ve used everything over and over, it’s still not clean, when I take a white cloth over it, it’s still brown, don’t know if it’s dirt or the color coming off. Any ideas? Thanks in advance.
Related Discussions
Suggested Project Book
Is it glazed or unglazed tile? Unglazed it may be the color. Try using one cup of lemon scented ammonia to one gallon hot water. Removes ground in dirt, grime, and old wax. Rinse well. If the tile is not glazed you may need to apply a tile sealer.
Take a good photo to the paint department of the home improvement store and ask them what will work for you. They have the best selection, the most up-to-date materials and most important, the most informative sales staff to get you what you need for a professional job.
1 cup hydrogen peroxide to 2 gallons water - for a milder deep clean
For a more intense mop formula:
1 cup baking soda
1 cup white vinegar
1 Tbsp blue Dawn
2 gallons HOT water (I boil mine)
Mop liberally
I use Clorox toilet bowl cleaner on the grout and it does a fantastic job so you could try some in a pail of hot water and mop it on to loosen the dirt. It will probably remove some of that old wax. Rinse well with hot water and 1/2 cup vinegar. Do not use this solution near any hardwood floors.
I hired a company that acid washed the old tile and grout when I moved into another house. The man told me the tile was not sealed and now that it was spotless, he advised me to steam clean it in the future. It's been 2 years and the floor still look decent.