How do I clean existing dirty tile floors?

Teresa Cornell
by Teresa Cornell
  6 answers
  • Chas' Crazy Creations Chas' Crazy Creations on Feb 04, 2019

    I learned how to clean my from a tile installer. I use 1:10 ratio of vinegar:water. Use a deck brush to lightly scrub it into the floor, then mop it up with a warm water rinse. The acidity in the vinegar will work to get the tile clean. It might take a few times to get the worst off if it's really dirty, but it will clean right up over a few times.

  • Janice Janice on Feb 04, 2019

    Be sparing with the cleaners you use and just a good scrub brush and a lot of water will likely clean it well. Mop up the excess water with a cotton mop of large rag. Repeat, if necessary.

  • I agree, that's how I clean my floors, warm water and vinegar. Some people recommend bleach, but that will yellow your grout. I've also used a steamer and that works well, too....

  • Judy Judy on Feb 04, 2019

    Yes vinegar helps. You can use a drop of grease cutting dish soap but very little. Then rinse the floors well.

  • Joy30150932 Joy30150932 on Feb 05, 2019

    You can also add some baking soda to the water which helps to dissolve any real dirt and grease spots. For the grout, I now use Clorox Toilet Bowl Cleaner as I had tried many other remedies and they did not work. Put the grout the corner of four tiles and then move along the grout lines with a toothbrush. Let sit for ten minutes, brush again and then rinse with a cloth or sponge rinsed in vinegar water. The vinegar kills the soap suds. After that, wipe the floor again with a damp mop in a mix of vinegar and warm water. Be sure to dry up as much water as you can or your floor will dry streaky.

  • Joan Iacono Joan Iacono on Feb 06, 2019

    I found that sudsy ammonia mixed with hot water did the job in record time. As I watched, the dirt and old wax finish lifted from the crevices in the ceramic tile edges, and what I thought was a pattern around the edges was actually dirt. The tiles came up pure white and have a lovely gloss look finish. The grout I cleaned with some Clorox using a toothbrush; it was worth the effort.