Have you ever stared down at the stain on commercial tile flooring and wondered if it will ever come out? Or maybe you’ve been tasked with cleaning the entire break room after a greasy pizza party the night before, and the footprints seem to multiply with every step you take?
Whatever it is, cleaning commercial tile floors can seem daunting, but do not worry. We’ve developed a simple 8-step guide to help you remove stubborn stains and spot clean messes easily.
Before you start mopping spills or pouring all-purpose cleaner, prepare these essentials:
- Broom or vacuum
- Mop with a microfiber head and a bucket.
- Microfiber mop pads or soft cloths
- Tile and grout cleaner (make sure to choose the proper solution for various tiles, like ceramic, porcelain, or natural stone. Zep Grout Cleaner or Goo Gone Grout & Tile Cleaner are versatile, all-around options.
- Scrub brush or a sponge
- A ready supply of clean water
- Rubber gloves to protect hands from harsh cleaning solutions
Step 2: Clear The Floor Of Obstacles And Dirt
Start by temporarily shifting furniture, equipment, and other objects away from the cleaning zone. This allows you unobstructed access to the entire surface and makes cleaning more efficient by preventing damage to the belongings.
Try to push these objects into a smaller area or in another room. Or, if you’re working on a small area, push these fixtures to the edges of the room.
Once that’s done, sweep or vacuum the floor to remove loose dirt, dust, debris, and other abrasions that may scratch the tiles when mopping.
Use a crevice attachment on your vacuum to clear away these particles from corners, edges, and areas beneath the fixture— anywhere dust has accumulated.
Step 3: Choose The Proper Cleaning Solution
Sure, you could always go with the usual all-purpose cleaner. But if you want to go a step further and make any commercial tile flooring shine, be sure to choose and mix the right cleaning solution.
First, carefully read the product label for your chosen tile cleaner. Some cleaners need to be diluted with water, while others are fine to use as they are.
At this point, you should have already donned your gloves. Pay further attention to the safety precautions listed on the label and also see if there’s any information on the recommended dwell time (how long you should leave the cleaner sitting on the flooring).
Then, match the cleaner to the type of commercial tile. A mild, pH-neutral cleaner is best for ceramic and porcelain. Meanwhile, specialized cleaners are needed for natural stone (marble or granite). Do not use acidic cleaners on natural stone as they can scratch the surface.
Step 4: Mop The Floors With The Chosen Tile Cleaner
Not all mopping techniques are the same. If you were previously settling for just pouring the cleaning solution on the tile floors, we’re afraid to tell you there’s a little bit more method to this cleaning madness.
You have to dip the mop into the cleaning solution and wring it out so that it is just damp, not soaking wet. You want to prevent excess water from seeping into the grout lines, causing discoloration and even mold growth.
When mopping, be sure to work in sections. Divide the area into manageable zones and clean one at a time. This prevents the cleaning solution from drying out before you rinse it. Work your way from the farthest corner of the room, heading toward the exit.
Tip: Use a figure-eight motion with your mop. It can help further loosen up dirt and grime that remain even after preparing the tile surface. Be sure to also frequently rinse the mop in clean water after several passes to stop dirt from spreading around.
If you have a dirty bucket, dump it out and refill it with fresh water and a diluted or full-strength cleaning solution.
Step 5: Focus On Cleaning Specific Stubborn Stains
Sometimes, even several passes from a microfiber mop head just aren’t good enough to clean stubborn stains. You’ll need to do a DIY mix of stain-cleaning solutions and focus on these individually.
Here’s a quick guide on different types of commercial tile floor stains and the best cleaning mixture to get rid of them:
- Coffee or tea should be blotted with a clean cloth. Once done, apply a mixture of mild detergent and water. Try a baking soda paste if it doesn’t work.
- Grease or oil can be removed with a degreaser or a mix of water and dish soap (but the former is much more effective). Rinse the floor thoroughly so that it isn’t slippery.
- For ink or marker stains, use alcohol. Pour or spray an ample amount of alcohol on a soft-bristled brush or a non-abrasive pad and vigorously scrape the markings off the tile’s surface.
- Rust: A paste of lemon juice and salt will work. For tougher rust stains, use a rust remover like Iron Out Rust Stain Remover. It’s safe for use on porcelains, tiles, plastic, and other materials.
- Hard water stains are best removed through a white-vinegar water solution or a commercial hard water stain remover like CLR Calcium, Lime & Rust Remover.
WARNING: Do not use steel wool or harsh scrubbing pads on the commercial tile floor’s surface as these can cause irreparable scratches.
Step 6: Scrub Tile Grout Lines
Grout lines are porous and absorb all sorts of dirt, even bacteria. With improper cleaning, they often turn into a dingy gray or brown color.
Clean the grout by applying your chosen grout cleaning solution directly onto the lines. Let them sit for the recommended dwell time (about 5-10 minutes, but this will depend on the product).
Have a stiff-bristled brush (or an old toothbrush) ready to scrub the grout lines, back and forth. Scrub more vigorously for stubborn grout stains or leave the cleaning solution to sit for a longer period.
Rinse the floor thoroughly with clean water after scrubbing grout lines. The shade should become visibly lighter with proper cleaning. Consider applying a grout sealer to prevent future stains.
Step 7: Rinse And Dry The Commercial Tile Flooring To Achieve A Sparkling Finish
Using clean water and a mop or sponge, rinse all areas of the flooring. If there’s still some residue left from grout lines, focus on these.
Squeegees can also be used for larger areas and can help remove excess water. However, a dry microfiber mop or cloth is a good alternative to absorb remaining moisture.
Leave the commercial tile floors to air dry completely. Speed up the drying time by turning on fans or opening doors or windows.
Tip: Applying a wax or sealant does wonders to improve the shine and protection of tile flooring.
Cleaning Commercial Tile Floors Is As Easy As 1, 2, 3!
There you have it— an easy—, eight-step guide to cleaning commercial tile floors. It’s not always the most glamorous task, but once you get into it, it’s kind of fun.
The feeling of turning greasy, dull, and dirty floors into sparkling clean ones is incredibly rewarding and we’re sure this guide is the perfect reference to help you achieve this goal. Then again, you can go for commercial floor cleaning services if all else fails *wink*.