Understand your floor
Before going into commando mode and cleaning the tiles, first gather information about the type of your tiles. We will be mentioning the most common types of tiles below, please get information about what kind of tiles you have.
Ceramic or porcelain tile
These tiles are stylish and easy to clean. They also work well with radiant heat. The bad part is that it can get slippery when wet and is hard.
Vinyl floor
This is a very common choice as it is fully waterproof and cost-effective. It can also be replaced easily. The disadvantage is that the irregularities on the floor below it can surface on it too.
Natural stone
This is a good looking stone which is indeed expensive but it lasts longer too.
Engineered wood
This is the best option for you if you want a natural-looking bathroom. It will also last longer than actual wood as it resists moisture pretty well. It’s polished might get spoiled after some time though so you must lookout for symptoms of the vinyl covering wearing out.
Cork flooring
You should avoid this one as it is not water proof, it is water resistant. The one thing you should have is water resistance. That is the purpose of a bathroom floor, to keep getting wet. If you already have it, get it polished like vinyl polished so that it becomes water proof.
Granite tiles
These tiles are well water resisting and last a good amount of time. You can wash them with any sort of abrasive material but they will remain good.
Terracotta tiles
These will need maintenance every two years but the pro is that it gives an earthly homely feeling to the floor of the bathroom. Also, they will not get as cold as the other tile materials.
Marble floor
This does get slippery so you will have to be careful about that. Also, it is harder to maintain than the other tiles. We have a separate blog on marble tiles but we will cover its cleaning process here too in detail.
Linoleum floor tiles
This one if for the environment lovers as it is biodegradable. It is very durable and easy to install. One con is that it requires an off period when it emits gases or fumes. Another is that it is scratchable.
Glass tiles
These are also becoming a popular choice these days as it is durable and can be customized in any way you want. This one shines very well and keeps your bathroom lit. One thing is that it too is scratchable.
Slate tiles
It is very durable and strong provided that you keep it sealed against stains and erosion.
How to clean the bathroom floor
We will discuss this section by dividing it into subsections which will cover each material of making tiles. Bathroom floors seldom need mopping or brooming. Still, if you want to, you should do one mopping session in your bathroom. There are three ingredients that we swear by – vinegar, lemon juice and baking soda. These three are a very effective and powerful mixture. But the thing is, you need to be careful with the material of your tile. If the material is porous, they need to be handled with precaution. So you will have to use dilute forms of them. Here I have linked vinegar and baking soda –
- Vinegar
Health kart natural white vinegar
Heinz distilled white vinegar the all-natural choice for food.
- baking soda
Nutro active baking soda ultra pure 350 gm
urban platter baking soda 250 g
Ceramic or porcelain tile
Start with pouring water all over the floor. Then wipe it all off with a good viper. Ne,xt you can do a mopping session if you think there are some stains that might need mopping. Use some phenyl in the mopping session. If there is too much dust, then poua r good amount of soapy water over the floor and scrub the bad looking areas well.
Then pour more water and wipe it all out with the viper. If your floor is a next level dirty, just increase the concentration of soap in soapy water. The soap does not specifically refer to soap. We also mean dishwashing liquid or washing powder, etc. If there is grout on your tiles, you better ask a professional. Since ceramic is a soft and easily eroded stone, you can only use a soft sponge or cloth as a scrub. In no way can you use steel wool or any such harsh scrubs.
You cannot use bleach or vinegar on it. If there is a huge stain, contact yoa u dealer and ask them for any retail cleaners. If there is no option, leave a paste of baking soda and water on the grout or stains and then scrub them with a sponge dipped in vinegar. Wash with water immediately. The vinegar should not stay on the tile. Iyourou tiles are well polished, then you may break the rules a little bit but abrasive cleaners will erode the polish too. So be careful with this tile. The key here is to clean any spills or stains immediately and keep your floor clean. Here are some cleaners that I recommend –
care and hygiene tile cleaner 1 L, red, descaler, removes heavy stains, from tiles and ceramics (Click here to view details on Amaon)
care and hygiene marble and tile cleaner 1 lts, green, pack of 2, removes heavy stains on marble, tile, ceramics, mosaic and acid free surface cleaner (Click here to view details on Amaon)
Kolan organic eco friendly bathroom cleaner 700 ml suitable for all surfaces including marble, granite, wood, tiles, stainless steel and glass (Click here to view details on Amaon)
Vinyl floor
A step by step process will include vacuuming and then mopping with just water. If the dirt is in high levels, then start with soapy water and scrub your bathroom’s floor.
Shampoo works best for cleaning a vinyl floor. Just make a mixture of shampoo and water and mix it well such that it forms foam nicely. Now pour this mix over the floor and start scrubbing. Vinegar is a very easy solution to dirt marks on a vinyl floor. Just make a paste of baking soda and vinegar to scrub any stains.
Since the mixture is abrasive, wipe them soon after scrubbing. Jojoba oil is said to restore the shine of vinyl floors. If your floor needs conditioning, then just add jojoba oil in your cleaner and your tiles will be shiny as if new. You can also easily clean with the help of dish soap. For this floor also, you do not want the shine to erode away. So do not use very harsh scrubbing materials like steel wool. Prefer sponges or clothes. Do not use equipment that has bristles either. Also, do not use wax containing polishes on vinyl flooring as it will leave residue with time. Wipe the water away from the floor as soon as possible with the help of a viper.
Some recommended cleaners are as follows –
How to remove Wine stains or berry stains
Baking soda is the solution. You should take action very quickly just as the spill occurs. Make a paste of baking soda and vinegar and leave this paste on the stain for a minute. Scrub and then wash the paste away.
Natural stone
This stone will be needed to get mopped frequently. There is a special stone soap in the market for cleaning such floors. You can also use mild detergent for cleaning the floor. Clean any spills immediately before they seep into the floor. Avoid any sort of acids or ammonia or bleaches. Just use mild cleaners. Natural stones like marble and limestone will be discussed below separately.
To clean it, vacuum and then mop properly. To clean stains or anything like that, use mild detergents or cleaners to wipe carefully with the help of a soft cloth or sponge. You will have to wipe out the water also until they are sufficiently dry. Down below are some cleaners I suggest –
Engineered wood
This will give a very natural feeling to your bathroom if you are considering them. Broom and vacuum the floor first and then mop it properly. If your wooden flooring has been polished, then abrasive cleaners are a huge no which means no to vinegar, ammonia and bleach. Also, say no to abrasive detergents soaps and cleaners. Use a mild soap or cleaner which is specifically meant to clean wood. Some cleaners that I recommend are –
One pro tip to restore the shine of your wood is to add olive oil into the cleaning mixture. Your wood will shine like anything. If you want an even better shine, then after the intensive cleaning, just wipe the wood with a cloth or sponge dipped in oil. Do not overdo the oil as it will further attract more dust, just enough to make the wood shine properly. Even if you have to use vinegar, the best mix is to add one cup of vinegar in one gallon of water. This dilutes the vinegar and still cleans the floor. Wood can also be restored from tea. Just dip 2 tea bags in 4 cups boiling water and dip a cloth into them and mop the floor with this solution. The tea’s properties make the wood restore its shine. Here are some tea bags –
You may also use baking soda but that is a little diluted. The thing is that baking soda is less abrasive than vinegar, ammonia and bleach. It is advised not to let water sit on the floor as it will seep and loosen the wooden fibers. So wipe the water immediately after washing the floor. To keep the floor dry, it is best to wipe with a microfiber cloth. I have mentioned some down below
Cork flooring
This indeed is very rare flooring in India. You can definitely stand out in the crowd by getting it installed. Just like the others, it needs good maintenance. The first step in the cleaning process is to broom that floor well. Use only a soft bristled broom.
Then we mop. In a bucket of water, add some mild dish soap. In this type of flooring also you will have to be careful as the cork flooring is polished and you do not want that polish to erode. So use a neutral cleaning agent and mix it in the water. Then mop the floor. Scrub gently with a cloth or sponge whenever needed. In this one also, use the least amount of water as it may seep into the floor and damage it. If you want to use vinegar, then one cup in a bucket is more than enough.
Use this diluted vinegar to mop the floor but not daily. This should be done once every week or once every two weeks. You must get your cork floor refurnished once every 4 to 5 years. Immediately take care of any spills that occur. Try to not put sharp objects on the floor so that it does not get scratched. To remove nail paint stains, use a little bit of alcohol. Use as little nail paint as possible. To clean hairspray build up, use diluted vinegar. For wine or berry stains, use baking soda. If they still persist, add a little bit of vinegar to the mix. Some cleaners that might help you are –
Granite tile flooring
Start with the regular ritual of vacuuming and mopping. Scrub with mild detergent to remove stains or build ups. This too is polished mostly. As long as the polish lasts, you may use any cleaner. But after the polish is gone, the granite will erode. Hence it is your responsibility to protect the granite’s polish in the first place.
So use neutral and non abrasive cleaners. Use diluted vinegar for any stubborn stains. You may use baking soda paste too which is baking soda mixed with water. Do not let water sit on this one too so wipe the floor dry as soon as possible. Clean all the spills immediately. You may also use warm or hot water to mop. Warm water generally cleans better than regular temperature water.
You may also put the cloth in olive oil and swipe it all over the counter so that the shine is restored. Use limited and less amount of oil though. Just to replenish. Do keep you seal checked. You can seal the granite floor yourself also but it will be better to get someone to do it professionally. Some cleaners that will help you are as follows –
Terracotta tile flooring
Terracotta is highly porous unless it is glazed or laminated. You can easily detect if the polish is harmed in any spot because the terracotta will absorb the water over there. Just like above mentioned floors, you will have to be careful about cleaning it too.
Take good care of the polish so that it does not get eroded. You may use only mild and neutral cleaners for cleaning any stains. Clean any spills immediately. And soak an spilt water also. Do not let the water sit on the floor as it might erode the polish too. No use of any sorts of acids or bases like lemon, vinegar, bleach or ammonia. Only usable item is baking soda.
If the spill or stain is extremely stubborn, then you may use diluted vinegar. The ratio should be like 2 cups of vinegar in a gallon. After vacuuming and mopping, mop with water which has dish soap mixed into it. To remove berry or wine stains, go for dilute vinegar. Some cleaners that will help you are as follows –
Marble floor
We have a separate detailed blog on how you should clean a marble floor. Marble is a porous material. Any stains will get soaked and will discolour your marble. Spills should be taken care of as soon as they are formed. Even stagnant water will erode your marble.
It should be polished and laminated well but you should get it laminated again according to what your dealer says. No to any acids or bases. Yes to only mild cleaners. No to lemon, vinegar, ammonia, bleach or any other abrasive cleaner that is on your mind. Harsh detergents will get into the pores and leach the marble. This will lead to dicolouration. Here are some cleaners that I recommend.
Baking soda is an amazing cleaner since it is efficient and easily found in homes. Sprinkle generous amounts of baking soda over the floor and clean with a damp soft cloth. Do not scrub too hard or the shine might be compromised.
For better cleaning, to 3 tablespoons of baking soda, add a good amount of dishwashing liquid and mix it all with warm water. Then do the cleaning. You could also add commercial stone cleaner instead of water if you like.
If spilling is very common, seal your marble. But you will have to keep doing it periodically. Commercial marble sealers can be bought from the market and you may do the sealing yourself. Depending on the product, you will have to seal it every 3-4 years. If you are not comfortable doing the sealing yourself, you should consult professional sealers, or get the work done from specialized people. I have mentioned a few sealants down here –
Linoleum floor tiles
The first step is vacuuming or brooming well. Do two rounds if the dust persists. Then you mop with whatever cleaner you guys are interested in. make sure the cleaner is specifically for linoleum. Here are my top picks –
Lizol disinfectant floor cleaner citrus, 2 L (Click here to view details on Amazon)
You can also do it with vinegar. In a bucket of water, add 1 cup of vinegar. Then mop with this solution. It will be best to use microfiber clothes like
Then dry the floor with another dry towel or microfiber cloth.You may also make a baking soda paste in order to clean the surface. Just mix baking soda and water and leave this on the stain. Then scrub with a soft sponge or cloth to attain good results. Do not forget to wipe the spot dry. General cleaning can be done with dish soap and water mix. After the soap cleaning, mop again with a cleaner mop which has only been through water. You can also make a mixture of baking soda and vinegar but dilute them in water. Use 4 cups water, 2 cups vinegar and 1 cup baking soda for the mixture. Spray this on problematic areas and scrub with a gentle pressure and a soft sponge or cloth.
Glass tiles
Glass can be very easy to clean. You may use any sort of materials to clean it. You may leave vinegar for a longer time than others. You may leave baking soda overnight.
You may use even bleach and ammonia. But the thing is that their need should not fall in the first place. By just mopping properly everyday, you can keep your bathroom looking good.
Do not let anything build up on the floor as it will cause slipperiness. Use a mixture of baking soda and vinegar and spray on the floor. Let it sit for 5 minutes. Then scrub it out. Wash to finish the process. You may let this air dry. Here are some cleaners I recommend –
Slate tiles
This again is a porous type material which you recieve in a laminated form. The polish must not run out. Do not use any acidic or basic cleaners. This means no use of vinegar, lemon, ammonia or bleach. Even the cleaners you use should be pH neutral at all costs.
Only use mild detergents when it comes to slate tiles. Prefer using just warm water. Vacuum and broom the bathroom. After that, mop with water containing mild soap. You may add highly diluted vinegar. Make it diluted by putting half a cup vinegar in a bucket full of water to mop the floor. Then use a dry towel or cloth to dry the bathroom out. The cleaners I suggest are –