Porcelain Tile Cleaning: How to Clean to Best Clean and Polish Them
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Porcelain tile flooring has become more popular over recent years and is especially popular for bathroom flooring.
Porcelain tiles can handle heavy foot traffic, are denser and less porous than other materials, and offer greater stain and water resistance. Porcelain is a great option if you plan on upgrading your home and want a material that will last for years!
However, keeping your porcelain floors looking brand new can be hard to do if you aren’t cleaning and maintaining them properly.
The tiles can become cloudy and dull if you don’t understand how to clean your specific type of porcelain tile.
In this post, we will cover how often to clean your porcelain tile floors, how to clean the most common types of porcelain tiles, how to deep clean porcelain tile, the best cleaning products to use on porcelain tiles, and some common questions people have when cleaning porcelain tiles.
Cleaning your porcelain tile floors may take a bit of time to do, but the end result is so worth it!
How Often to Clean Porcelain Tile
Depending on foot traffic, you may want to sweep or vacuum your porcelain tile flooring every few days and mop them about once a week. For a deeper cleaning, you can set up a cleaning schedule that works for you, but every 1-3 months will keep your floors looking as good as new.
A deeper cleaning will sanitize your porcelain tiles and remove the dirt that has worked its way into the pores of the tile and on the edges of your porcelain tiles.
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What You’ll Need to Clean Porcelain Tile
Equipment / Tools
- Broom or vacuum
- Mop
- Mop bucket
- Microfiber Towels
- Mild dish soap (mild PH-balanced)
- Vinegar
- Baking Soda (for grout lines)
- Commercial grade porcelain solution (for unglazed/uncoated tile)
- Acrylic stone sealer (for unglazed tiles)
- Buffer (for glazed tiles)
How to Clean Unglazed/Uncoated Porcelain Floor Tiles
Unglazed porcelain tiles don’t have the extra coating that glazed tiles have, so in this case, you should be most concerned with maintaining the integrity of the actual tile when cleaning.
Squeeze out your mop as much as possible before using on unglazed/uncoated porcelain. Since there is no extra layer on top, these will take a bit longer to dry and you want to avoid any potential water stains.
Cleaning Steps for Unglazed/Uncoated Porcelain Tile
- Sweep or vacuum loose debris and dirt from flooring.
- Mop with:
- hot water only
- a diluted vinegar solution (1-to-1 water ratio – add in essential oil for scent)
- a mild dish soap and hot water solution (1 gallon of water with a few drops of soap)
- OR a commercial grade porcelain tile cleaner.
- Rinse the floor and be sure to wipe up all residue from the solution used.
- Dry the floor with a towel or let the floor dry for a few hours with the windows open. Without the extra coating on top, you want to make sure all the pores are dry before the next step.
- Buff away any water spots or streaks with a mop
- For added protection, apply an acrylic stone sealer to keep the pores impervious to liquid. You can do this on a yearly basis.
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How to Clean Glazed Porcelain Floor Tiles
When cleaning glazed or “polished” porcelain tiles, you’re cleaning to protect the outer layer which coats the tile.
This coating provides an extra layer of protection so you’ll want to extend the life of the glaze for as long as possible by following this cleaning method.
Stay away from super strong cleaning solutions as they break down the glaze faster than a more natural and mild solution. Anything harsh such as wire brushes can also be too abrasive so stay away from those as well when you’re dealing with glazed porcelain tile.
Cleaning Steps for Glazed Porcelain Tile
- Sweep or vacuum loose debris and dirt from flooring.
- Mop with:
- hot water only
- a diluted vinegar solution (1-to-1 water ratio – add in essential oil for scent)
- OR a mild dish soap and hot water solution (1 gallon of water with a few drops of soap)
- Rinse the floor and be sure to wipe up all residue from the solution used.
- Dry the floor with a towel.
- Finally, polish by hand with a buffer or a clean mop.
How to Clean Textured Porcelain Floor Tiles
Textured porcelain tiles have a surface that is uneven without a smooth finish. These can be more difficult to clean because dirt and debris can often hide in the ridges.
Deep clean textured porcelain tile more often to keep it looking clean!
Cleaning Steps for Textured Porcelain Tile
- Sweep or vacuum loose debris and dirt from flooring.
- Mop with:
- hot water only
- a diluted vinegar solution (1-to-1 water ratio – add in essential oil for scent)
- OR a mild dish soap and hot water solution (1 gallon of water with a few drops of soap)
- Spot-clean any dark spots with a soft sponge or the microfiber cloth, but spend a little more time trying to get the dirt out.
- Rinse the floor and be sure to wipe up all residue from the solution used.
- Dry the floor with a towel.
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How to Deep Clean Porcelain Floor Tiles
Because there are so many different kinds of porcelain tiles, we’ve broken down the best deep cleaning methods for the most common porcelain tile flooring below.
In general though, here are the steps to take to deep clean your porcelain floor tiles:
- Sweep or vacuum loose debris and dirt from flooring.
- Mop with:
- hot water only
- a diluted vinegar solution (1-to-1 water ratio – add in essential oil for scent)
- OR a mild dish soap and hot water solution (1 gallon of water with a few drops of soap)
- Rinse the floor and be sure to wipe up all residue from the solution used.
- Sprinkle baking soda on the floor and re-mop using fresh hot water or a fresh batch of the diluted vinegar solution.
- Use the baking soda to get into the grout lines using a small brush
- Do one more final rinse of the floors and ensure all residue is gone.
- Spot clean any stains you may notice
- Let the floor air dry for an hour
- Finally, polish the floors using a microfiber cloth
- You can also use the buffer for glazed floors or acrylic stone sealer on unglazed floors.
Tips for Keeping Your Porcelain Tile Clean Longer
- When spills happen, it’s best to clean them up right away. Don’t risk letting the spill sit as it can turn into a permanent stain on the tile.
- Don’t use any harsh chemicals that can damage the top layer of your porcelain tile.
- Be consistent with cleaning your tile. Sweep/vacuum and mop at least every week and deep clean the tile a few times a year at minimum.
- Don’t use any colored products to avoid any staining of the tile.
- Always make sure you open the windows to allow for as much airflow as possible when drying the tile. This will allow the tile to dry faster and won’t allow water to sit on the tile potentially causing water stains.
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FAQS for Cleaning Porcelain Tile
Will Vinegar Damage My Porcelain Tile?
Don’t load up on the vinegar when cleaning your porcelain tile. Follow the suggested diluted vinegar solution above. Using too much vinegar will make your solution acidic which can break down the top glaze more quickly. To ensure your tile lasts as long as possible while looking its best, always use a mild solution.
Will Essential Oils Damage My Porcelain Tile?
If you’re going to use essential oils in your cleaning solution, only add a few drops to your solution to ensure there is no damage done to your porcelain tiles no matter what kind of tile it is.
What is the Best Cleaning Solution for Porcelain Tile?
Mild is always the way to go when it comes to protecting your porcelain tile and ensuring it has a long life. Hot water or a diluted vinegar or diluted soap solution is your best bet.
Never use anything harsh such as bleach or ammonia as it can damage the finish and alter grout coloring. Always check the manufacturer’s label to ensure it’s safe for your type of porcelain tile.
Can I use a Brush to Clean My Porcelain Tile?
Only use a brush when cleaning in the grout lines to ensure you protect any coating on your tile that acts as a protectant layer. Use a smaller brush so you stay within the grout lines.
Never use steel wool or any other abrasive materials on your porcelain tile floor. These will scratch the surface and cause damage to any coating.
How to Clean Porcelain Tile to Make it Sparkle!
To keep your porcelain tile floors looking sparkly and new, be sure to follow these steps and remain consistent with cleaning!
It may take some elbow grease, but your floors will be looking great and will last as long as possible with these cleaning tips.
