How to Clean Porcelain Tile Floors Like a Pro

Is there anyone out there who doesn’t love a gorgeous porcelain tile floor? There are tons of different types of tile, porcelain can add a touch of elegance and personality to your bathroom, kitchen, or even your living room. It comes in a rainbow of colors and designs and there’s something that will appeal to your taste, whether your preference is French Provincial or Modern.

The trick, as you might have guessed, is knowing how to clean porcelain tile floors to keep them looking their best. That means no streaks and not doing anything that will remove the tiles’ shine. If you’re a homeowner, you might be wondering whether to DIY cleaning your porcelain tiles or outsource them to a professional cleaner. You might even be a professional cleaner wondering how to keep your clients’ tiles looking perfect. Our Pros are here to help.

What’s Special About Porcelain Tile Floors?

Flooring doesn’t always get the attention it should, and that’s just as true of porcelain tiles as it is of anything else. People who don’t have porcelain tile floors in their homes might not be clear on what makes it such a popular choice or why they should consider installing it.

• Compared to ceramic tile (and some other flooring options such as wood or carpet) porcelain tile is less porous and super durable. That makes it a wise choice if you’re looking for years of use from your floor.
• Porcelain tile has a ton of personality because you can find it in hundreds (or maybe thousands) of designs and colors.
• If you’re in a place with cold winters, porcelain tiles are compatible with radiant heating, meaning you can avoid the shock of stepping on a cold floor when you get out of bed in the morning.

There are two basic types of porcelain tiles: through-bodied and glazed. Through-bodied tiles are colored or designed all the way through, which helps to disguise dings and scratches when they occur. Glazed tile is covered in a hard finish that’s extremely shiny and durable.

What Products and Supplies Will You Need?

Here are some of the household cleaning products and other cleaning supplies that you may need to keep your porcelain tile floors looking their best, whether you’re doing a once-a-week cleaning or major spring cleaning.

You’ll notice that the cleaning supplies and ingredients required to clean porcelain floor tiles are simple. You should avoid using:

• Harsh or abrasive cleaners
• Metal brushes
• Any cleaning product that might stain the tiles or grout
• Soap-based products, as these may leave unattractive soap scum on your floors

How to Clean Porcelain Tile Floors Without Streaks

Glazed porcelain tiles are shiny and as such, may be susceptible to streaks forming after you’ve washed them. Here are the steps to clean glazed tiles while avoiding unsightly streaks.

Step 1: Start the porcelain tile cleaning process by sweeping or vacuuming the floor. You can follow by dusting with a dry mop.

Step 2: Next, use a wet mop (soaked in warm water) to clean the floor and remove any dirt that’s still clinging to the tiles.

Step 3: Mix a gallon of warm water with ¼ cup of white vinegar in a mop bucket. Use the mop to clean the floor. 

Step 4: With a soft bristle brush, go over any stubborn dirt using the same vinegar and water solution.

Step 5: Go over the floor again with the mop and plain water to rinse.

Step 6: Dry the floor with a clean towel or microfiber cloth.

Step 7: Use a clean, dry cheesecloth to shine the floor and remove any streaks and water stains.

How to Clean Unglazed Porcelain Tile

Vinegar is also the cleaning product we recommend for cleaning unglazed porcelain tile, but there are some differences from the method for glazed tile.

Step 1: Sweep the floor with a soft broom to avoid scratching the tile.

Step 2: Add mild dish soap to warm water. Use your mop to go over the floor, and if needed, a soft brush to get rid of stubborn dirt.

Step 3: If your grout needs to be cleaned, use a soft toothbrush and a 1:1 mixture of water and baking soda..

Step 4: Go over the floor again with a mop dipped in warm water.

Step 5: Dry the floor using a clean towel or microfiber cloth.

Step 6: Apply a sealant to keep your tiles looking their best. We suggest using one cup of sealing treatment to three cups of water.

Watch the video below to get a demonstration of how to seal your porcelain tiles and grout.

How to Clean Porcelain Tile Floors in the Shower

Cleaning porcelain tiles in your shower requires a different technique.

Step 1: Wipe down the tile with warm water to remove any heavy dirt, hair, etc.

Step 2: Make a mixture of two cups of warm water and two teaspoons of white vinegar. Put it into a spray bottle if you choose.

Step 3: Apply the vinegar and water mixture to the tiles. Use a soft brush to remove any persistent dirt.

Step 4: Spray or rinse with warm water.

Step 5: Dry tile using a towel or clean microfiber cloth.

If you have glazed tile in your shower, polish it with a clean cheesecloth to remove streaks and water stains. If you’ve got stained grout, consider using a steam cleaner before cleaning the tile.

Tips to Keep Your Porcelain Tile Floors Cleaner for Longer

Here are some tips from our Pros to help you keep your porcelain tile floors clean and looking their best.

• Make it a weekly task to sweep or vacuum your porcelain tiles to prevent heavy dirt from accumulating.
• Clean up any spills as soon as possible to avoid permanent stains on your tile floors.
• Avoid using cleaning products that contain bleach, chlorine, or ammonia, as these may result in discoloration of your tiles.
• Avoid using abrasive products that may scratch your porcelain tile floors.
• Use only soft bristle brushes and nothing with metal bristles, as these can damage both porcelain tiles and grout.
• Don’t clean unglazed tiles with anything acidic, including vinegar.
• Use a sealing agent to protect unglazed tiles.

Finally, and this might seem obvious, we strongly recommend putting a doormat or rug near outside entrances to your home and encouraging family members and visitors to wipe their feet or remove their shoes before walking on your tile floors.

FAQ About Cleaning Porcelain Tile Floors

Conclusion

Cleaning porcelain floors isn’t difficult, but it does require some knowledge and care if you want to avoid damaging your beautiful tiles by scratching or using products that may cause discoloration. 

The tips and steps that we’ve included here come straight from our Pros, and will help you do a great job of cleaning porcelain tile floors, whether they’re in your own home or a client’s home.