Kitchen floors see it all in terms of dirt. Food preparation often leads to spills and all manner of dirt and debris from food items. Add to that foot traffic and the washing of utensils, and you understand why kitchen floors become grubby, grimy, and horrible every so often.
Thus, you must know how to clean your kitchen floor tiles well. This will ensure your cooking area always stays spotless and welcoming. Moreover, proper cleaning removes bacteria and allergens, making your kitchen a healthy space for food preparation.
With this said, find below the essential steps to clean your kitchen floor.
Gather Supplies
First, assemble all the tools and supplies you’ll need for the cleaning job. Below is a list of essential ones you’ll need:
- Vacuum attachments designed to suck up dirt from floor tiles.
- Soft-bristle broom for sweeping away loose dirt.
- Microfiber mop, which can pick up dirt and debris from ceramic or porcelain tiles without causing damage. They also help you use less water and chemicals and achieve better clean quality.
- Water bucket for holding the cleaning solution.
- Mild detergent designed specifically for tiles. Go for non-abrasive and non-corrosive brands. These could be in liquid, powder, or gel form. Scented ones in flavors like lemon, lavender, or eucalyptus will add a pleasant aroma to your kitchen. Avoid cleaning products or degreasing agents that contain wax, sodium silicate, or other additives that leave sticky deposits. These are known to leave dirt keys on the floor tiles and diminish the beauty of your tile design.
- Nitrile gloves for protection against harsh chemicals, solvents, and abrasives
- Scrub brushes for removing stubborn stains and cleaning grout lines.
If you’ve recently explored new kitchen floor tile ideas and upgraded your space, it’s even more important to use proper supplies that preserve your tiles’ appearance and longevity. Beautiful tiles deserve equally thoughtful care.
Having all essential tools ensures the cleaning job proceeds without hitches and helps maintain the style and integrity of your kitchen floor.
Clear the Floor Space
Before you embark on the actual cleaning, you’d want to clear the floor space to make sure you can access every tile without restriction. This means you may have to remove all movable furniture, mats, trash bins, and any other items that may obstruct your path.
Doing so makes the cleaning smoother and faster, while also ensuring you don’t miss any spots, especially in tight corners and under appliances. You also wouldn’t want to stop and set your mop or broom down every time you have to move something.
It might be strenuous to move large kitchen pieces like islands or built-in cabinets. For these, you can simply clear the area around their bases.
You’d also want to declutter your kitchen as part of clearing the floor space. Assess what really needs to stay on the kitchen floor and what’s not very necessary and can be let go. Decluttering makes cleaning easier, maximizes space, and also enhances style and functionality.
Sweep or Vacuum the Floor
The first step in cleaning floor tiles is sweeping or vacuuming the area to get rid of dirt and debris. This includes food crumbs, pet hair, and soil. Use the appropriate vacuum cleaner attachment to access corners and crevices, which are typically notorious for holding rubbish.
Sweeping loose dirt prevents it from turning into grime once you wet the floor. Grime can make your cleaning less effective and leave the floor with muddy streaks.
Another reason for sweeping is to prevent gritty debris from scratching the tile surface when you drag it around with a mop. Sweeping first helps maintain the tile’s shine and finish.
Also, sweeping first allows the cleaning solution to work directly on stains, spills, and sticky spots, not on loose dirt. This improves cleaning efficiency, meaning fewer mop passes.
Mop the Floor
For effective cleaning, use warm water and a suitable cleaning solution. Warm water helps break down grease. Every tile type has specific cleaning solutions that work best.
For ceramic and porcelain tiles, everyday dish detergent usually suffices. Stir a few drops into a bucket of clean warm water and your cleaning solution is ready. Alternatively, you can use distilled white vinegar, an all-natural cleaner safe for tiles. If the tile grout looks dirty, you may want to clean them with a baking soda paste.
For marble, slate, granite, or linoleum tiles, you’d want to use pH-neutral cleaners. Acidic solutions can damage these surfaces. So avoid any products with lemon, vinegar or suchlike acidic ingredients.
Start mopping from one corner and work your way out. A circular, figure-8-like movement is often suitable for floor cleaning. Your back should face the kitchen exit. Move backward so you don’t step on the spots you’ve already cleaned.
Once you mop a given section of your kitchen and the mop starts drying up, dip it in a bucket of clean water to rinse it out. Avoid transferring all the dirt and grime into your cleaning solution.
Spot-treat Stubborn Stains
Stubborn stains may not come off easily through cleaning with the mop and mild detergent solution. Go over them with a stain remover that won’t damage your tile floor. Club soda is an excellent choice for tiled floors. Alternatively, you can use all-purpose grease cleaners, baking soda paste, white vinegar for mineral or water stains, hydrogen peroxide for organic stains, or magic eraser for scuff marks and ground-in dirt.
It’s always good to test any cleaner on a small, hidden area first to ensure it doesn’t damage the tile finish. Once sure of the results, proceed to using it across the rest of the floor area.
Let the Floor Air-Dry
After mopping the floor and rinsing it with clean water, you may want to dry it with a towel or microfiber cloth. This helps prevent water spots and ensures a streak-free shine. Drying also protects the tiles from long-term damage, given the well-known effects of moisture infiltration into tile joints.
Finally, allow the floor to air-dry on its own. It may be helpful to mop late at night after everyone goes to bed so the floor gets to dry without interference. Walking on wet floor tiles can make them dirty too fast after all the hard work.
Conclusion
Regularly cleaning your kitchen floor tiles makes them retain their newness for the longest time possible, making your home feel stylish. Make it a habit to clean the kitchen floor regularly. Never wait until it’s too grimy so you take action.
For spills, wipe them up immediately they occur to prevent them from seeping into the tiles. Then, sweep the floor once or twice daily to get rid of everyday dirt. Deep clean after every one or two months to keep the tiles in pristine condition.
