The Gross Secret Hiding In Your Textured Tile (And The Right Tool To Clean It)

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Tile is often praised for how easy to clean it is, and while it is certainly easier to vacuum than carpet and more suited to mopping than wood, it might not be getting as squeaky clean as you think. If your tile has a textured surface, it may be holding onto dirt and grime that isn't getting picked up during your normal cleaning regimen. In fact, if the tile was in your home before you, it may not even be the color you thought it was.

The textured surface of your tile will catch dust, dirt, and other debris over time, filling the lines and divots of the tile with dark grime. You might think your tile is speckled, when it's simply dirty. Textured tile comes in many forms, with some mimicking the natural grain of wood and others providing a slip-resistant, stone-like feel under your feet. When it comes to areas that collect more grime, like mud rooms, kitchens, and bathrooms, it's important to choose the right tile for your space, keeping in mind the fact that textured tiles hold onto dirt. If you already have textured tile, cleaning it is easy, but it requires different tools than other flooring types.

Regular vacuuming and mopping is always a good idea, but when it comes to cleaning textured tile, neither gets the job done as well as a scrub brush. You might be imagining yourself on all fours, scrubbing the tile by hand like Cinderella, but scrub brushes come in long-handle varieties that use the same techniques as a mop. A hand brush and elbow grease are always reliable for scrubbing hard-to-reach places, but a long-armed brush like the SetSail Floor Scrub Brush will make quick work of cleaning your tile. Make sure you go with a brush that has softer bristles, so you don't scratch your tile.

Using your brush and a cleaning solution, scrub in circular motions to loosen the grime clinging to your tile. Once the dirt is out of the grooves, you can follow up with your regular mop to wash the loosened dirt away. Your tiles will be sparkling, but the neighboring grout might be looking a little dingy by comparison, so make sure to follow up with a tested grout-cleaning method.

While a brush gets the gunk out, it needs help from some kind of cleaning solution. Some opt for old fashioned water and soap, but the solution you use should be determined by your tile. When you go to clean your floors, invest in a cleaner specifically formulated for tile. There are DIY solutions you can make, such as baking soda paste or a vinegar mixture, but you have no way of knowing if these are too harsh for your tile.

Choose a tile cleaner that advertises itself as safe for ceramic, clay, or stone, depending on the composition of your tile. If you use a strong cleaner like muriatic acid, it might further etch the already textured surface of your tile. Since most tiles are ceramic, explore the best and safest cleaners for ceramic tile floors, which includes options made by companies such as Clorox and Pine-Sol.