7 Floor Tile Maintenance Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Keeping your floor tiles in good condition requires knowing what can hinder your progress. Here are floor tile maintenance mistakes and how to avoid them.

Did you know that 58% of homeowners have tile floors? Tile floors are popular for their durability, water resistance, unique style, and affordability.



Despite how common tile flooring is, not a lot of homeowners know how to care for this type of flooring. In fact, you might be shocked to learn that you have been maintaining your tile wrong all along. Let's change that.

Keep reading to learn about the most common floor tile maintenance mistakes and how to avoid them.

1. Using Abrasives

One of the most common floor tile maintenance mistakes is the use of abrasives for cleaning. When cleaning your tiles, it's best to avoid these cleaning products whether they are substances, powders, or steel wool.

You should also avoid using a beater brush that can nick and chip the finish of your tile.

All of these can easily damage your tile's finish, leaving them vulnerable to staining and pitting.

2. Using Bleach and Ammonia

Much like abrasives, using bleach and ammonia to clean tile floors can cause damage. You might not notice an issue the first time you use these products, but the problems will sneak up on you.

Over time, you'll start to notice grout discoloration. These cleaners can be bad for your health and deadly in some circumstances, another major reason to avoid them when you can.

For instance, you should never combine bleach and ammonia because the mixture will release toxic chloramine gas.

Switch out these products with a mild all-purpose cleaner. You can also look up the cleaning products recommended by your tile manufacturer for the best options.

Additionally, avoid using cleaners that contain dyes. Tiles and grout will both absorb the color of the cleaning product leaving your floors with a dirty look after cleaning.

3. Not Sweeping Enough

Tile is often used in kitchens and bathrooms, which might be the dirtiest places in the home. Part of your tile maintenance routine should be regular sweeping.

Dirt doesn't pose much of an issue to the floor, but traffic in these areas can grind dirt particles into the tile over time. This leads to the formation of scratches.

Regularly sweeping your tile floors is the easiest and best way to prevent this from happening. Plus, this simple step slows the process of regular wear and tear.

4. Not Cleaning Spills Right Away

Some people think that because tile flooring is easier to clean than other types of flooring, they don't have to clean up spills right away. In reality, tile is a porous material. Spills can cause stains on a finish and sealer.

If you spill anything, clean it up immediately to prevent staining. This is especially important if you spill a liquid that is dark or acidic like red wine or coffee.

Cleaning spills right away can help your tiles maintain a clean appearance for years.

If you notice a stain that you didn't before, try to determine what type of substance caused the stain. For the most effective cleaning, use the appropriate cleaner for the stain.

5. Not Recaulking

Kitchen floor tiles and bathroom floor tiles might be exposed to water, but bathroom tiles are exposed more than the former. Experts recommend recaulking the floor every now and then to prevent water from getting behind the tiles.

Water damage can loosen tiles or cause the grout to crack, both more expensive repairs than simply recaulking when needed.

6. Using a Wet Mop

You shouldn't have to mop your floors as often as you need to sweep them, but it's still important to clean with a mop every so often. However, avoid over-wetting the surface area by using a wet mop.

A very wet floor can cause your tile to have a dull and dingy appearance. Allowing the tile to air dry will lead to this mistake as well.

This happens because tap water contains minerals that can discolor tile, encourage mildew to grow, and cause permanent stains.

Instead of a wet mop, use a damp mop to clean the floor. Buff the area dry with a soft towel for a shiny finish. If the tiles are still hazy from soap residue, a nonabrasive all-purpose cleaner should get rid of the issue.

Choosing the right mop is also important for a good clean. Avoid using a sponge mop and buy a chamois-type mop instead. Sponge mops push dirty water further into your grout, making them harder to clean.

7. Not Cleaning Enough

There are different types of tiles, but all of them require a good cleaning around the same time. To avoid tile finish damage and to maintain your floors for longer, sweep or vacuum the tiles at least twice a week.

Mop tile floors in the kitchen about every two weeks. Do the same for the bathroom at least once a week.

You can also spot-clean the grout once every two or so months to avoid having to roughly clean your grout every time. Try the Ultimate Grout Easy cleaning formula that can prevent grout from staining prior to grouting.

Floor Tile Maintenance Mistakes to Avoid

The easiest way to avoid floor tile maintenance mistakes is to have the right cleaning products in your home. When the time comes to complete your cleaning routine, you'll be ready!

You can still save your tiles if you've made these mistakes in the past. Using advanced sealers and cleaners can reverse some of the negative impacts on your tile floors.

If you walk to talk about proper tile cleaning methods, ADVANCED Sealers and Cleaners here to help. Contact us today to find out which product is best for your cleaning needs.