Properly cleaning and maintaining your tile floors is important if you want to extend their lifespan and keep them looking great through the years.
You're going to need to put some effort into regular cleanings if you want to avoid premature wear on your floors, but improper cleaning practices can do more harm than good.
The following are five mistakes you need to avoid when cleaning your tile floors:
Failing to clear away dirt and debris on a regular basis
You don't have to do a major cleaning that includes mopping every day. However, it is a good idea to at least sweep or vacuum to clear away dirt particles and other debris on a regular basis.
If you leave dirt particles on your floor, they will get pushed into the tiles and into the grout. Over time, this will cause your tiles to wear out prematurely.
Neglecting to first sweep or vacuum before cleaning
It's important to sweep up debris before cleaning because mopping with dirt and debris on the floor may only make the floor dirtier. It can also push particles down into floor components and cause wear and tear.
You need to make sure you thoroughly sweep and get all debris up off the floor before you start mopping.
Using a sponge mop to clean the surface of your tiles
It's much more effective to use a rag mop or a chamois map rather than a sponge mop. Sponge mops do not work well on tile and grout floors because they have a tendency to push dirty water into the grout. This can cause the grout to look dingy even right after a cleaning.
Failing to dry the tiles after cleaning
It's not a good idea to leave your tiles to air dry after cleaning. Leaving moisture on the floor leaves your floor prone to picking up more dust and dirt quickly.
Some tiles can take a long time to dry if they're left to air dry. Simply towel drying after you clean is the best way to get your floor back in working order quickly.
Letting time pass before you deal with spills
The sooner you clean up a spill, the less likely it will be to result in a stain or to soak into your grout or tile. Too many homeowners get into the bad habit of letting a spill sit because they are so busy with other tasks. Once there's a spill on your tile floor, you need to make it a priority to clean it up right away.
Contact a company like Leo's Holland Floor Maintenance for more information and assistance.
