How to Clean Ceramic Tile

Co-authored by Art Fricke

Last Updated: July 12, 2021 References

There are a number of ways to get your ceramic tile clean. Engage in regular maintenance to prevent grime and grit from collecting on your ceramic tile. Sweep (or vacuum) and mop your ceramic tile at least once each week. If your tile is stained, you should identify the specific substance or agent of the stain, then choose an appropriate remedy. If you’re facing a particularly obstinate stain on your ceramic tile, consider steam cleaning or a muriatic acid solution.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Maintaining Your Tile

1
Sweep your ceramic tile regularly. Use a broom and dustpan to sweep your floor at least once each week. This will remove dust, dirt, and other grime from the tile.^{[1]
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Research source} Alternately, you could vacuum your ceramic tiles to remove dust, dirt, and crumbs.^{[2]
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2
Mop the floor weekly. After sweeping the floor, mop it at least once each week. There’s no need to use soap (though it doesn’t hurt). This will keep your ceramic tile looking shiny and new.^{[3]
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- Once you’ve mopped the floor, wring the mop out immediately and dry the floor with it to prevent any new dirt from settling in wet areas, and to protect you from slipping.
- If you use soap, use a non-toxic dish detergent. Start with a couple drops of detergent so it doesn’t become over-concentrated. Too much detergent can leave soapy residue or film on your tiles.
- Continue regular maintenance on your floors without using any strong chemicals. Over time, chemicals can degrade the quality of your tiles.
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3
Use a doormat. If you’re trying to protect ceramic tile located directly inside the foyer, place a doormat outside the door of your residence. Additionally, place a rug or another mat right inside the house. Encourage family members and visitors to wipe their feet on both mats, and to remove their shoes when they enter the home.^{[4]
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- Use of doormats is especially important during rainy and snowy seasons.
4
Clean spills promptly after they occur. If a spill happens on your ceramic tile floor, clean it up as soon as possible. The longer a stain sits on your ceramic tile, the harder it will be to remove. Use mops on large spills and absorbent cloths on smaller spills.^{[5]
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5
Clean your grout. The grout is the sunken area bordering each ceramic tile. Over time, it can become discolored and gross. To keep it clean, mix baking soda and water in equal amounts. Coat the grout with the paste. Allow it to sit for several hours (or even overnight). Scrub the grout vigorously with an old toothbrush or a stiff-bristled brush. Wipe the paste scum away with a sponge soaked in warm water.^{[6]
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- If you have a large amount of grout to scrub, purchase a grout brush from the cleaning supplies section of your local store.
- For an extra boost of cleaning power, fill a spray bottle with vinegar and spray the paste after you apply it.
- The frequency with which you clean your grout is up to you. Clean your grout as often as you like, or when it begins to show discoloration. Floors that are used more heavily will require more frequent cleaning. If you have children, pets, and/or walk about your home with shoes on, you’ll need to clean your grout more often.
6
Use the least abrasive means possible to clean. When cleaning ceramic tiles, always start with just water. Test any commercial cleaning solution on a small and out-of-sight portion of your ceramic tile before you apply it to a larger or more visible area of your tile. This will help you ensure that the solution does not discolor or otherwise damage your tile. Avoid using abrasive cleaners or creams containing gritty ingredients like silicate.^{[7]
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Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Removing Stains

1
Use bleach, hydrogen peroxide, or rubbing alcohol on blood stains. Blood stains can be removed by dipping a dishcloth or sponge into a solution with ratio 1:49 bleach to water. For instance, concoct a mixture of 2 teaspoons (9.9 ml) bleach and ¹⁄₂ US quart (0.47 L) of water. Alternately, dampen a dishcloth or sponge with hydrogen peroxide. Dab the stain lightly until it is gone.^{[8]
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- Using rubbing alcohol will also disinfect your stains.
2
Eliminate organic growth using bleach. To rid your ceramic tile of mold or mildew, mix a solution of ratio 1:49 bleach to water. For instance, use 2 teaspoons (9.9 ml) of bleach and ¹⁄₂ US quart (0.47 L)) of water.^{[9]
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Trustworthy Source
US National Park Service
Agency responsible for the maintenance and promotion of national parks and monuments
Go to source}
3
Remove coffee, tea, or juice stains with chemical cleaners. Wash the ceramic tile with dish soap and hot water. Remove the leftover discoloration with either a solution of 2 teaspoons (9.9 ml) of bleach and 1 US quart (0.95 L) of water, or with hydrogen peroxide.^{[10]
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4
Use ice on gum, tar, or wax stains. Place some ice cubes in a resealable plastic bag. Place the bag over the sticky stain marring your ceramic tile. After five to ten minutes, check the consistency of the stain. It should be frozen. Scrape away as much as possible, and wipe the rest off with paint thinner.^{[11]
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5
Use club soda on grease stains. If you’re trying to remove a stain of oil or grease, wet a dish rag with club soda. Rub the stain using a gentle circular motion.^{[12]
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- If you don’t have club soda, you could simply use a nonabrasive floor cleaner.
6
Use bleach on ink. Ink or dye stains require treatment with bleach. Soak a clean dishcloth with bleach. Lay the cloth over the stain. Check it every 60 seconds or so until the stain disappears.^{[13]
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- Don’t leave the bleach-soaked cloth on the ceramic tile too long. The alkali in the bleach can cause whitish water-soluble salts to collect on the tile.
7
Get rid of nail polish stains with nail polish remover. Small spots of nail polish can be removed with the applicator attached to the lid of your bottle of nail polish remover. If the stain refuses to come off the ceramic tile, mix a solution with proportions 1:99 bleach to water. Dab a dishcloth in the mixture. Use the dishcloth to clean the nail polish. Alternately, dip a dishcloth in hydrogen peroxide and scrub the nail polish away.^{[14]
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- If using bleach, a mixture of 2 teaspoons (9.9 ml) bleach and 1 US quart (0.95 L) of water is typically appropriate.
8
Use paint remover against paint stains. Before you try to lift a paint stain from your ceramic tile, mop or wipe down the tile and allow it to dry. Apply the commercial paint remover according to manufacturer directions. Typically, this means applying a coat of paint remover with a paintbrush just as you would when painting. After about 30 minutes, the paint should be ready to wipe away with a damp paper towel.^{[15]
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- Open the windows of the area you’re working in to reduce inhalation of the toxic fumes paint removers give off.
9
Remove iodine with ammonia. Mix a few tablespoons of ammonia with an equal amount of water. Dampen a dishcloth with the solution. Scrub the iodine stain from your ceramic tile by pressing it and scrubbing in a back-and-forth method.^{[16]
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Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Using Heavy-Duty Stain Removal Methods

1
Mop the floor with vinegar. Mix ¹⁄₂ cup (120 ml) white distilled vinegar or a specialized cleaning vinegar with 1 gallon (3.8 L) of warm water. Fill your mop bucket with this solution and mop the floor with it.^{[17]
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- If you don’t have vinegar, you can substitute rubbing alcohol.
2
Scour the stain. If mopping has not adequately cleaned your ceramic tile, mix warm water with an equal amount of scouring powder. Scouring powder is a cleaning agent designed to help you clean hard surfaces like ceramic tile. Smear the mixture onto the stain using a dishcloth. Let the mixture sit on the stain for five to 10 minutes.^{[18]
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Expert Source

Art Fricke
Home Renovation & Repair Specialist
Expert Interview. 1 July 2020.} Remove the dishcloth and use a soft brush to scrub the tile. Finally, rinse the area with a damp dishcloth.^{[19]
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- Repeat the process if the stain remains after one scouring session.
3
Use steam cleaning. If the ceramic tile you wish to clean is on your floor, you could use a steam cleaner to remove serious stains. A steam cleaner works much like a vacuum cleaner does. Simply fill the water tank and turn the machine on. Roll the steam cleaner over the portion of ceramic tile you wish to clean.^{[20]
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- You can rent steam cleaners from many hardware or home repair stores.
4
Use diluted muriatic acid. Muriatic acid is a corrosive mineral acid. Mix the muriatic acid in a solution with one part acid and five parts water. For instance, you might mix 1 tablespoon (15 mL) of acid with 5 tablespoons (74 ml) of water. Apply the solution to the ceramic tile you wish to clean. Scrub the area vigorously with a soft bristled brush or old toothbrush. Wet a paper towel and use it to wipe the area after scrubbing.^{[21]
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- Dry the area with a dry paper towel or dishcloth.
- When using muriatic acid, wear a face mask and thick rubber gloves. Take care not to get it on your skin.

Expert Q&A

Question

How can I clean kitchen tiles?

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