Category: Tips

Tile floors are an excellent flooring option. One of the best things about tile floors is that they are so durable. Tile is unlike many other flooring options in that it can be used in every room of the house. However, do you know how to maintain tile floors?

If you plan to install tile floors in your home, you need to know how to care for them. If you care for your tile floors properly, they will look great and last longer.

 

How To Maintain Porcelain Tile?

Many homeowners love porcelain tile. It is one of the most popular tiles for flooring, walls, and countertops. If you want your porcelain tile floors to last decades, you need to care for them properly. Check this video out!

Daily maintenance

You need to maintain your tile floors daily if you want them to look their best. There are a few essential parts in the necessary daily maintenance:

1. Sweep the floors daily.
2. Wash the floors with warm water and soap or a mild cleanser designed for porcelain tile.
3. Use a multi-purpose cleaner to remove stains or spills.
4. Avoid using products that contain ammonia, acids, or harsh chemicals.
5. After washing the floors, allow them to dry thoroughly before walking on them.
6. If you have unglazed tile, they need to be cleaned regularly with a tile cleaner with a natural PH.

Long-Term maintenance

While daily maintenance is essential for the health of your porcelain tile, long-term maintenance is also necessary. If you protect and care for your porcelain tile floors long-term, they will look great and last longer.

If your porcelain tile floors are going to look great, you need to protect them from scratches and stains. If you don’t sweep or vacuum the floor prior to washing, the debris can scratch the floors.

It is essential that you remove all dirt and debris from the floors before washing them.

It is best to keep permanent ink and dye away from your tile floors. These can both create stains on the tile that can be difficult and even impossible to remove.

Porcelain tile is resistant to stains caused by juice, coffee, wine, and food; however, these can cause minor discoloration.

It is best to wipe up the spill as soon as it occurs. This is the best way to keep the floors from staining.

Grout care is essential to the lifespan and the appearance of your tiles. The grout is essential in filling the space between the tiles and also to give the tiles space to flex, which will keep them from cracking.

The grout can capture dirt over time, and it can darken. Cleaning the grout is much more challenging than cleaning the tile, and it is best to leave the job to a professional.

If you plan to clean the grout yourself, make sure that you do adequate research first. You need to use a heavy-duty grout cleaner that can remove any dirt and debris that has built up in the grout.

Also, choose a product that doesn’t contain harsh chemicals and is low VOC.

If you have had your porcelain floors for a long time, the grout can be stained to the point where it cannot be returned to its natural color, despite how hard you scrub.

When this happens, you will need to restore the grout using a grout stain. These are epoxy-based products that will penetrate the grout, sealing the surface with permanent color.

 

How To Maintain Travertine Tile?

Travertine floors have become more and more popular over the years. People love travertine because it has a slick surface when it is polished, and it is shinier than other types of tile.

The polished appearance of travertine is similar to that of marble. If you want your travertine tile floors always to look their best, daily and long-term maintenance is essential.

 

Does the Sealed Floor Make Tiles Maintenance Easier?

Many homeowners who have porcelain or travertine tile floors wonder if sealing the floor is really necessary. The answer to this question is yes. And it makes tiles maintenance easier to some extent.

There are a few reasons why you should have your tile floors sealed and then re-sealed when necessary to make the maintenance better in the future.

 

Things To Avoid When Maintaining Tile Flooring

While it is essential to maintain your travertine or porcelain floors to keep them looking great, it is essential that you know what to avoid to protect the tile. If you know what to avoid, your tile flooring will look fabulous for years to come.

 

Conclusion

Travertine and porcelain tile can make your house look amazing. If you are going to install travertine or tile flooring, you need to know how to care for the floors, what you should do, and what you didn’t do.

The last thing that you want is for your gorgeous tiles to be damaged. Considering the amount of money you may have invested in your tile flooring, it is worth taking the time to do some research on floor care.

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Tiles are the preferred flooring options due to their various designs, low maintenance requirements, relative durability, and cleaning ease. However, due to overuse, old age, or plain bad luck, they tend to chip, break, or become loose. So how should we fix tile floors?

Here are fix tips for 6 different types of damage to tiles. Keep reading if you are interested.

How to Repair Tile Floors?

Though applicable, these options tend to be expensive, and you cannot move out whenever the tiles in your home are ruined. Therefore, you may need to get down and do some DIY tile repairing from time to time.

If so, then here are a few steps on how to proceed with the repair:

1. Small chips

Small chips are the most frequent types of tile damage you will find and are usually caused by objects dropping on the tiled floor.

You will deal with them in both cases in the below manner though tiled floors with more chips will take longer to repair.

Step 1: Thoroughly shake the tile glaze you bought, then dab quantity into your mixing bowl using the applicator brush.

Step 2: Return the applicator brush into the bottle and tightly close it to prevent the glaze from drying up.

Step 3: If your glaze and tile color differ, add small amounts of the colored paint into the mix, confirming on an appropriate surface if the color meets your requirements.

Step 4: After attaining the correct color, note the ratios to minimize time wastage while remixing a new batch.

Step 5: Depending on the chip’s size, use either a toothpick or a brush to scoop and apply the paste in the chip, ensuring you overfill each. Do not worry if it is not level.

Step 6: Let the mix dry for a day.

Step 7: Once dry, use the sharp blade to scrape off the excess paste by sliding it horizontally across the floor to obtain a uniform cut.

Step 8: Use the 220-grit sandpaper to smooth down the finish if it impresses you; however, if you are not satisfied for any reason, remix and repeat the procedure.

2. Large chips/ holes

Sometimes you may find yourself staring at a large chip that more or less resembles a hole. In such a scenario, Bbsides what showed to you in this video, you can also follow these steps:

Use warm soapy water to mop the entire floor surface, ensuring all the dirt in the hole is cleaned out, then let the floor completely dry before you begin your work.

Step 1: Using an artist’s brush paint, all sides of the hole using a thin layer of tile primer allow it to dry.

Step 2: Using an oil-based paint that matches the color of your tiles, paint over the primer to the tiles’ edge, then let it dry. If need be, paint a second coat of paint.

Step 3: In a disposable bowl, mix two parts of marine epoxy. This epoxy will create a rigid waterproof surface once it dries.

Step 4: Using a toothpick or an artist’s brush, fill the hole with your epoxy to the tile level and let it dry for 24 hours.

3. Cracked tiles

Whether it is during installation, when a heavy object falls on your tile, or normal tile wear and tear, cracks do form on tiles.

Failure to deal with these cracks could end up in your tiles becoming loose. To prevent the worsening of cracks that will ultimately prove costly, you should repair the tile.

Step 1: Obtain an appropriate epoxy kit.

When fixing your tiles, never use the 1-part epoxy kit as it offers you a lower quality than the 2-part epoxy.

Step 2: Use paper towels damped using rubbing alcohol to clean your surfaces, then let them dry completely.

Step 3: Mix two tablespoons of the 2-parts epoxy in a disposable dish.

Step 4: Use a toothpick or a Popsicle stick, smear a generous amount of the paste along the crack, ensuring you cover about half a centimeter on either side of the crack. Ensure you work quickly as the epoxy dries quickly.

Step 5: Let the paste dry for about fifteen minutes.

You can also lightly touch the epoxy’s surface to ensure it is completely dried but never touch it while it is still wet.

Step 6: Once dry, use the sharp blade to scrape off the excess paste by sliding it horizontally across the floor to obtain a uniform cut.

Step 7: If the color contrasts your tile surface color, use an epoxy dye to create a color you desire, then follow the manufacturer’s instructions and apply it over the epoxy.

If you cannot find epoxy, then apply a thin layer of wood glue over the crack and leave it to dry for about ten minutes.

If you cannot find any of the earlier options, snatch a similar colored nail polish, follow the earlier process, and then let it dry. Once dry, remove the excess using nail polish remover.

4. Broken tile

If your tile impact was significant enough, you will get more than a chip or crack on your tile. The tile will break.

A broken tile is severe, especially if you have young children in your house, as the sharp edges of broken tiles can seriously injure them.

Though some people usually apply adhesive and stick the broken parts back in place, this is a temporary solution and results in a very uneven finish that will break easily. Therefore, if you have a broken tile, you should replace the tile as below:

Step 1:  Holding a power drill vertically over the broken tile, squeeze the trigger, and drill a couple of holes into the tile to weaken it.

Ensure you drill the holes either vertically or horizontally across the tile’s center in a straight line.

Step 2: Putting the chisel’s blade along the line of holes and gently tap on its butt using a hammer to break the tiles.

Tilt the chisel to 45 degrees and continue to remove the entire broken tile from the floor.

Once removed, carefully dispose of the broken pieces to prevent harm.

Step 3:  Holding the chisel at an acute angle, slide it over the surface the tile has been dislodged from to remove the mortar or grout used to adhere the tile to the floor. Once done, carefully dispose of it to prevent harm.

Step 4:  With a pair of latex gloves on, scoop a dollop of the motor using the putty knife and carefully apply it across the tile’s bottom side, ensuring you attain a thickness of about 1/8 inches. Be careful not to smear the motor on the other tiles as it will be troublesome to remove.

Step 5: Center the tile on the surface you are to place it, then gently press it into place. Be gentle to avoid squeezing the motor up the sides of the tile.

Step 6: Smear a small amount of similar colored grout on the grout float and run it across the newly laid tile’s surface. Continue doing so till all the gaps around the tile are filled.

Step 7: Before the grout sets, use a damp piece of cloth to wipe off the excess, then let the grout dry overnight.

5. Outdated/worn out tiles

Outdated tiles tend to be stylistically dated and pose serious problems when it comes to remodeling. They are also often chipped or cracked.

However, in place of removing the entire flooring, you can employ several tactics to save on the cost as below:

6. Loose tile

Tiles installed in your house customarily become loose due to several factors such as:

Once your tile loosens up, you should reattach it as soon as possible as it can set off a chain reaction of tile loosening, which will be expensive to repair.

To repair a loosened tile without replacing it:

Step 1: Drill a hole in the grout near the loose tile. Ensure it is deep enough to allow the adhesive to reach underneath the tile.

Step 2: Place the epoxy or adhesive sprout through the drilled hole and gently squeeze some of it into the hole.

Step 3: Let the adhesive/epoxy work its way under the tile. Squeeze in more until it stops flowing under the tile.

Step 4: Place a heavy object over the tile to remove air bubbles and allow the tile to adhere to the floor properly.

Step 5: Clean the area using a damp piece of cloth.

Step 6: Let the adhesive settle for 24 hours, then remove the object.

Step 7: Place new grout into the holes you drilled.

Step 8: Clean the floor, and that’s that.

7. Stained/crumbling/cracked grout

Once you notice that your grout is damaged, you will need to repair it quickly to avoid incurring the cost of entirely replacing them. To do so, you need to:

Step 1: Loosen the damaged and cracked grout by dragging a bamboo skewer over the grout line, then sweep it off.

Following the manufacturer’s instructions, mix a new batch in a small bowl.

Step 2: Using a grout float, evenly smear the new grout over the grout lines, then scrape off the excess using the grout float’s edge.

Step 3: Let the grout dry for about five minutes, then use a damp piece of cloth to clean the dirt off the tile surface.

• If you find your tiles are seriously damaged, you might opt to replace them entirely. In such a scenario, you will:

Step 1: Pry the tiles using a chisel placed at an angle to the tile’s edge, then, using a hammer, hit the chisel’s butt to dislodge the tiles, then dump them off.

You can also use a sled hammer to hit each tile and break them into smaller pieces.

Step 2: Utilizing a stripper, soak the floor in the solution, then use an abrasive scouring pad to remove the debris and glue from the floor.

After cleaning, inspect the floor for any defects and fix them before proceeding.

Step 3: Using a tape measure, obtain the room’s dimensions and multiply them to obtain the square footage. Utilizing the square footage of your desired tile, divide the two measurements to get the required number of tiles.

Step 4: After purchasing the required tiles, use your trowel to apply a thin-set on the floor. Ensure you move in the same direction throughout to prevent the formation of air bubbles.

Step 5: Place each tile gently starting from one corner. Be careful while doing this step as the thin dries quickly.

If some sections need smaller tile pieces, use a tile cutter.

Step 6: After placing all the tiles, mix your grout according to the manufacturer’s instructions, then, using a grout float and trowel, press the grout into the grout space.

Step 7: Using a dump piece of cloth, wipe off the excess grout and let the tiles set in.

 

Conclusion

Tiles have become an integral part of our homes and, as such, need to be cared for. If you notice any damage to them, as illustrated in the article, ensure you follow the laid out processes to avoid further damage that will incur you more cost.

However, if you find it challenging to apply the said procedures alone, contact a professional to help repair your floor tiling.

Old Wax or Wax from dinner and party candles can turn yellow and appear dirty or dull, even with the best maintenance and care. Therefore, how should you get was off tiles?

Frequent or routine cleaning is necessary to prevent stains and dirt from building up in your wax layer. The guide is all about helping you remove old industrial wax, candle wax, or any form of wax that is building up on your floor.

 

How to Get Wax Off Tile Floor?

A workman must sharpen his tools if he is to do his work well. Before you get into the cleaning precess, you need to prepare the suitable tools.  You will need:

Rub an iron on the paper but ensure the iron is on low heat. Rub the iron over the brown paper, rotate the bag to ensure it covers all the affected area. The brown paper bag, when heated it melts the wax and then absorbs it.

If there are some stains or dye left between the tile or on the tiles, use vinegar to clean any traces of colored spots or stains.

Step 1: Wash or strip old wax from tiles with ammonia and dishwasher detergent

Use a soft cotton sponge mob to smear or saturate your tiles with a solution of two gallons of hot water, one cup of non-bleaching detergent, and two cups of distilled ammonia.

Allow the solution to concentrate on the tiles for two minutes. Scrub using a wooden spatula or any softwood spoon or the mop’s edge, then dry the extra liquid.

Go over the tile again with clean or clear hot water; using your soft or wooden scrubber will remove any traces of wax in between the tiles.

Step 2: Removing wax using ammonia and water.

Mix 120 ml of ammonia with 7.75 L of warm and clean water. Use this solution to clean or mob your vinyl or ceramic floor.

Let the solution sit on the affected areas by the wax for ten minutes. Dry the tiles using old cotton rags or towels.

If you spot some wax buildup, you can use hot water to clean ceramics or epoxy tiles by mixing 120 ml of ammonia with two gallons of hot water and clean the floor with a rigid foam rag.

Step 3: Use warm water, llundry detergent, and ammonia.

Mob your tiles with a solution of 180mL of ammonia, one cup of laundry detergent, and one gallon of hot water.

Allow the solution to sit or cover the affected parts for twenty minutes. Then scrub the floor with a soft sponge and rinse the solution from the floor to avoid further bleaching.

You can try some stripping methods on your ceramic tiles by adding one cup of white vinegar, one cup of ammonia, and one gallon of hot water and repeat the process.

 

How to Remove Candle Wax from Tiles?

The following are the methods by which you can remove candle wax from your tile floors.

If there’s a lot of spilled wax on your tiles, try to use a butter knife or a stiff knife to scrape the wax out of your floor.

But, if the wax buildup is in the tiles’ comers, you might need a freezing agent. Something like a cold soda or ice, to solidify the ice for easy removal.

Scraping and freezing the wax is an ideal method to use if you are trying to clean soft tiles, cast iron, and marble.

If your candle has dripped down or ran on your tiles, leave the wax to cool or solidify completely (if the wax spills next to a window or any cool space), the drips or wax will flick off more easily.

But if the wax has had a far fall that creates splashes try to place the ice pack or something more relaxed.

 

How to Remove Factory Wax from Tile Floors?

Most manufacturers always tend to apply a thin wax coating on the porcelain tiles before they ship them. The wax coating is meant to protect the tiles’ surfaces from scratches as they are shipped and when installing them.

However, these waxes create a dull and muddy surface on the tiles, thus may interfere with the other sealing products.

It is vital to remove this factory wax from tiles before or after installing them, and the following is what you should follow for a successful removal:

 

Tips and Advice for Cleaning Wax on Tiles

To achieve the best and wax-free tiles, you will need to perfectly clean off the wax from your tiles always after installing them.

There might be different forms of wax appearing on your tiles, some wax is from the factory, and some are from candles at home; the following tips can remove either of them:

Ammonia is among the most robust cleaners. It is crucial for one always to remember not to mix it with chlorine or any other chloride products since it will lead to the production of toxic gases.

It effectively removes wax from tiles by only mixing it with hot or warm water. However, when combined with laundry detergents, it becomes more effective than even when mixed with water.

You can choose to mix the three for perfection, that is, a cup of ammonia, two liters of water, and one cup of the detergent of your choice.

This process requires the following essentials:

When wax stays on resilient floors for a long time, they end up becoming yellow, making your floor look dull and old before even the end of their lifetime.

Step 1: Mix one cup of ammonia and two liters of water and use it to remove all the old wax from your tile floors and freshen them up.

Step 2: Mix the solution and let it settle for about five minutes, use nylon or a plastic scouring pad to get rid of the old wax on tiles.

Step 3: Then wipe away all the leftover residues using a clean piece of cloth or a sponge, thoroughly rinse the floor to finalize the whole procedure.

The method is applicable when cleaning a candle or any spilled wax on your tiles. Wait for the wax to cool and harden. After it has cooled, use plastic or something like an old credit card to scrape off the tiles, you should be more careful when scraping.

You will need the following to make this a success:

Step 1: Position your plastic or card at an angle that does not cause over scraping or applying much force against the surface.

Step 2: After you are done scraping, use the candle wax remover to remove the stubborn wax remaining.

Step 3: Use a grout brush to scrub the wax remover into the grout.

Step 4: Use a wet cloth to rinse off the area and then let it dry.

Vinegar works best on vinyl and linoleum tiled floors; start by ventilating the room; do this by opening the windows or doors or even both.

Step 1: Wear a pair of rubber gloves to offer yourself protection from other side effects brought about by the cleaning products you are about to use.

Step 2: Mix one cup of household vinegar and one cup of tartar cream in a bucket; using a mop, carefully apply the solution on the tile flooring and allow it to settle for about five minutes to unfasten the old wax built up.

Step 3: After the wax has loosened, consider scrubbing it with a nylon scouring pad, wipe away any excess or residues using a sponge or a clean damp piece of cloth.

Step 4: Finalize the process by thoroughly mopping the floor using clean water to rinse, then use a clean towel to dry the tiles and later apply fresh coating if any needed.

However, most tiled floors do not require waxing to maintain their shiny appearances, but vinyl and linoleum require waxing for maintenance.

Therefore, frequent cleaning is always a requirement to ensure that dirt and stains do not build up on the wax layer.

It one of the simplest ways of cleaning wax from tiles flooring. It does not require the use of any harsh floor cleaners, It also takes very little time to achieve back the shiny appearance on the tiles.

Step 1: Using a plastic or metal spatula, scrape off from the tiles, be more careful to ensure that you do not scratch the tiles.

Step 2: Place a twelve-layered paper towel over the wax on the tiles and make sure it covers it completely.

Step 3: Heat your iron to medium heat, then iron it over the paper towels to melt the wax and absorb it. As wax soaks through, replace the paper towels to avoid damaging the iron.

Step 3: Wipe the tiles using water and then dry them to remove the remaining loose wax residue.

1. Always avoid using petroleum-based candles because they have very strong dyes that can be difficult to remove through the general wax removal processes.

If there are options, go for them or find a way of preventing the wax from spilling on the floors.

2. To prevent candle wax from dropping on tiles that can easily stain, use a candle holder or place small dishes under candles to hold the wax instead of leaving it to drip on the floors.

 

Conclusion

Using the best and cheapest way to get rid of wax from tile flooring is every homeowner’s goal. It is typical for the wax to accumulate on the tiles surface due to different reasons.

Proper tiles maintenance means long-lasting and shiny tiles in your house. The most recommended products for removing Wax are ammonia and vinegar. Creating each mixture with water gives you the best cleaning product, gentle on your tiles and hands.

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Tiles have become widely used due to how durable they are thus preferred in most rooms like the kitchen, bathroom, laundry room, etc. However, it is a seemingly hard task to keep them in great condition. You may wonder: how to remove stains from tile floors?

In the article, we will focus on types and how to remove these stains and so much more. Let’s dive in.

How to Remove Different Types of Stains From Tile Floors?

Different types of stains need different methods and step to clean.

Saturate a paper towel or a piece of cloth with hydrogen peroxide and then apply to the stains.

Then wash the tile surface with mild detergent and water, rinse and dry.

Wash the stain with club soda and hot water.

Diluted bleach

Soak a cloth with a diluted bleach mixture and place it on the stain. Let it sit for around 15 minutes or until the stain is gone. Rinse the area with hot water and dry.

Dry eraser

Take a dry eraser cleaning sponge and rub the stain, then wipe down with soapy water, rinse and dry.

Peroxide and oxygen cleaner.

Step 1:  Soak a piece of cloth with hydrogen peroxide and place it on the stain. Blot the ink with a cloth while pressing it firmly. Take care to use a clean area of the cloth so as the stain not to spread.

Step 2: Saturate another clean cloth with hydrogen peroxide and let it sit on the stain for five minutes.

Step 3: Then rinse with water. In case there is any ink residue, apply several drops of oxygen cleaner to stain the residue, then scrub with a soft brush.

Step 4: Let it sit for 15 minutes, rinse and dry.

Bloodstains are crucial stains that require thorough cleaning and due to the use of strong chemicals ensure you have rubber gloves.

Step 1:  With a ratio of 10-1 in disinfecting, fill a bucket of water with one cup of bleach to ten cups of hot water and mix thoroughly. Pour the solution on the stain or spray it with a spray bottle.

Step 2:  Wipe the area with a towel or cloth. Repeat the first step and leave the solution to evaporate, this disinfects the area.

Step 3: Then rinse the area with water to remove any more traces of bleach.

Step 4:  Take a cloth and saturate it with hydrogen peroxide then place it on the stain. Give it a few minutes where peroxide absorbs the stain.

Step 5: Rinse with warm water and dry it thoroughly.

Either gum, tar, or wax stain has always been a bother while on the tile floor making it look unappealing. But don’t let it faze you anymore, here how to get rid of it.

Step 1: Place a bag of ice cubes or ice pack to the area with any of the above stains and let it sit still until it is cold and has solidified.

Step 2:  Take a blunt-wooden craft stick or a silicone tipped stick, remove as much substance forming the stain as you can. This kind of stick is ideal to prevent scratching the tile.

Step 3: Wipe the remaining residue with a non-flammable paint thinner carefully ensuring not to touch the grout.

Step 4: Later, rinse with water and dry.

The water that comes from wells or municipal water pipes most likely has magnesium and calcium minerals in it. These minerals make the water lack a slippery feeling as it gets hard.

Consequently, when water evaporates, it leaves an ultrathin coating with the minerals. The stains are faint white rings of crystals outlining the drops as they shrink and evaporate. Thus, there is a need to get rid of these stains, and below are ways of removing them.

Use of vinegar

Step 1: Take a cloth or a sponge and soak it with vinegar, use it to wipe the wet surface with hard water stains.

Step 2:  Allow the vinegar to soak in the surface for a few minutes, then wipe the surface to wet it again.

Step 3: Sprinkle baking soda in small amounts to the surface with vinegar. It will fizzle due to the reaction with vinegar.

Step 4: Scrub the surface gently with a sponge dampened with water.

Step 5: Then rinse the area with water to wash away the vinegar and baking soda. Dry the dry immediately with a soft cloth thus preventing more water spots from forming.

Use of Salt

This is a kitchen ingredient that is very useful in removing stubborn water stains from your tiles.

Step 1: Sprinkle salt on the tiling floor and leave it for an hour or more.

Step 2: Scrub the salt using a sponge or brush.

Step 3: Rinse the surfaces, to get rid of salt.

Use of Micro Abrasive Cleaner

Using this method you need a micro-abrasive product like Bon Ami. This mildly micro-abrasive product that is in powder form can be used on kitchen surfaces and tiles.

Step 1:  Make a paste.

Mix equal parts of the water and powder to make a paste and then apply it on the stained surface and leave it for up to 15 minutes.

Step 2: Rub the area.

Rub the area with a sponge and cloth to get rid of the stains. Then rinse thoroughly with water and wipe until it’s dry.

However, if the stains are only mild, simply sprinkle the powder and scrub it with a sponge and cloth.

Step 3: Rinse and dry.

Finally, so that you remove the excess paste, rinse it with clear water. Then dry the area later to prevent the stain from reforming.

These types of stains are common when metal items like metal furniture, home décor items, utensils of LPG cylinders are placed on tile surfaces that come in contact with moisture for a long period.

The rust is mostly caused due to contact with hard water which later makes the floor messy and unclean while it also may result in weakening the tiles. There is a remedy to remove the stains from your floor. Below is how to remove the stains.

Use of toothpaste

Toothpaste is among the best mild cleaning agents when made with baking soda, not only does it clean the dental plaque but also clean stains and scuffs. There is a variety of toothpaste in the market.

Step 1: Take a thin coat of toothpaste and cover the rust stain.

Step2: Pick a soft-bristled toothbrush and start rubbing the surface with rust stain in a circular motion.

Step 3:  Finally, clean the tiles with water or tissue paper.

Use lemon

This is a fruit that contains a high concentration of citric acid and among one of the best natural cleaners in any household. It is capable of removing rust stains from tile floors and even removing germs due to antibacterial properties.

Step 1: Squeeze a lemon and extract lemon juice in a bowl and add a pinch of salt.

Step 2: Pour ¼ of a teaspoon over the rust stain.

Step 3: Leave it for at least 10 minutes and then use a soft-bristled toothbrush to clean it down. The stain will start disappearing.

Vinegar

This is among the most preferred household cleaners. It is acidic and is versatile due to its variety of uses. The acidity in nature is so powerful that it dissolves stubborn stains in no time.

Step 1:  Pour 2-3 teaspoons of vinegar on the rust stain and let it sit for 3-5 minutes.

Step 2: Wipe the floor with a clean soft cloth.

 

What to Use to Remove Tough Stains from Tile Flooring?

When removing those stubborn stains from tile floors, you need items that will assist you to clean them up. Below are some of the items you need to use.

 

How to Remove Stains on the Grout Between Tiles?

There is nothing that looks ugly and dirty like a stained grout, even though the tiles are sparkly clean, the grout will steal the better picture. Grout is very challenging to clean due to how porous it is while it absorbs stains easily.

Here are methods of cleaning the stubborn stains from the grout leaving the room shiny.

 

Things to Avoid when Removing Stains from the Tiles

When removing the stains from tiles, there is the measure you are ought to follow while others you are not supposed to do. The don’ts are specified enough to ensure that you preserve the condition of your tiles. Below are don’t when removing stains from your tiles.

Products like ammonia and bleach-based agents should not be used regularly because they might discolor your grout. Thus look for a professional to help out with the removal of the stained grouts.

 

How to Prevent Stains on Tiles?

To avoid stains, you need to follow the following steps.

 

Conclusion

Don’t let yourself go through headaches due to the stains in the tile that are hindering you from portraying your beautiful home. As much as they are stubborn, with the right procedures, they are no longer visible due to how effective the activities are.

The information above gives you all you need to remove these stains without any hassle.

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Tiles have intrinsic designs, shinny appearances, and so on that add to a house’s beauty. Such a property makes tiles very popular. However, like everything else, tiles are prone to becoming dirty, with some to the extent of becoming repulsive. So, how to clean tile floors?

If you find yourself in a situation whereby your tile flooring starts becoming an eyesore, then you should probably consider cleaning it. Here are tips on cleaning your tile floors.

What Are the Best Tile Floor Cleaners?

Cleaning tile floorings is usually an easy thing as it does not require the use of complex equipment, as you will see in the below list of tile cleaning equipment.

 

How to Clean Tile Floors?

After determining the best tile cleaner for your needs, you have to know the type of tile you have; pick the most appropriate cleaning methods as below:

Though the popularity of ceramic tiles is due to their low maintenance and dirt resistance qualities, from time to time, they may become hazy and require cleaning. If so, you will need the following items:

Cleaning Process

Remove as much debris and dirt from your tile surface using either a vacuum or broom and dustpan.

Step 1: Pour warm water into your bucket, then pour a small amount of tile floor cleaner.

Step 2: This step depends on the tile cleaner you have as some do not require mixing with water.

Step 3: Wipe the dirt off your tile floors by moping using your mop dipped in the warm water and tile floor cleaner solution.

Step 4: Dry and buff your tile floor using a microfiber cloth.

• If the stains have not come off, keep reading and following the next steps. If the problem is solved, you can skip this part.

Step 5: Make a thick paste from the baking powder and water.

Step 6: Apply the paste on the stains’ points, let it loosen the stains for a minute or so, and then use the microfiber cloth to scrub the spots.

Step 7: Use water to rinse the surface since baking soda tends to leave behind films.

Step 8: Buff and dry the area using a dry cloth.

Porcelain like ceramic is famous due to its low maintenance and dirt-resistant nature. However, when they do need cleaning, you will need to consider whether yours are unpolished, polished, or textured.

Step 1: Remove debris and dirt from the tile surface by sweeping or vacuuming.

Step 2: Saturate the tile surface using your tile cleaner or a water-vinegar mixture and allow it to soak the stains for three or so minutes.

Step 3: Using a soft rag or brush, scrub the tile surface.

Step 4: Using warm water, rinse the tile surface to remove the cleaning solution.

Step 5: Use a dry microfiber cloth to buff and dry the tiled surface.

Step 1: Remove debris and dirt from the tile surface by sweeping or vacuuming.

Step 2: Clean the tiled surface using a mop dampened with warm water.

• If the stains persist, keep reading and proceeding as the following steps. If the problem is solved, you can skip this part.

Step 3: Mix your preferred tile cleaner with water as per the stipulated ratios, or use a vinegar-water solution.

Step 4: Mop your tiled surface with the above mixture and ensure you re-mop with warm water before the former solution dries.

Step 5: Use a dry microfiber cloth to buff and dry the tiled surface.

Step 1: Remove debris and dirt from the tile surface by sweeping or vacuuming.

Step 2: Mix your preferred tile cleaner with water as per the stipulated ratios, or use a vinegar-water solution.

Step 3: Let the solution soak the stains for about five minutes, then scrub using a soft rag or brush.

Step 4: Rinse the cleaned surface with warm water to prevent film formation

Step 5: Use a dry microfiber cloth to buff and dry the tiled surface.

From its use by the ancient Romans to date, marble arguably gives the best flooring of any tiles as it is beautiful, elegant, prestigious, and eco-friendly. However, marble is very susceptible to staining due to its porous nature. In the event it becomes dirty, you will need:

Cleaning process

Ensure you use no vinegar or any acidic solution in this process.

Step 1: Use a dry mop.

Marble tiles easily scratch, so never use vacuums on them as their wheels will damage your marble floors. Instead, use a dust mop and ensure you clean its head after each room to prevent the accumulation of dirt that will end up scratching your floor.

Step 2: Change a damp mop.

Mix your marble tile cleaner with water and use a clean, soft rag or mop to wipe the marble surface. Ensure that the cleaner you use is acid-free to prevent damage to the tile.

Step 3: Rinse and dry the tiles.

Remove any soap residues from the marble tiles using clean water, then dry the surface using a soft piece of cloth.

Step 4: Remove stains.

Once stains embed, they are usually an eyesore, and getting them out is usually a headache. Consequently, never let spills or stains set into it. But if they set in, spot clean using a clean piece of cloth dipped in a solution of a few drops of ammonia and 12% Hydrogen Peroxide.

Step 5: Remove etches marks.

Marbles get etch marks when an acidic product eats away at its surface. To clean this, wet the marble using clean water, then sprinkle marble polishing powder on it. Use a damp cloth to buff the powder into the marble till the marks disappear.

Step 6: Seal.

If sealing is required, buy a suitable one and follow the manufacturer’s instructions.

These tiles are generally made of natural stone as suggested by their names and are as strong as rocks. However, they are prone to damage when cleaned with acidic compounds such as vinegar.

Cleaning process

If you have a natural stone tile and it becomes dirty, you should:

Step 1: Use a broom or vacuum to remove the debris and dust from your natural stone tile.

Step 2: As most manufactured cleaning products may damage these tiles, use a suitable one as earlier indicated and, if need be, mix with water.

Step 3: Let the solution sit on the tile surface for a minute or so, then mop it off.

Step 4: Use a dry piece of cloth to dry and buff the surface.

You may find various types of stains persisting on the natural stone tile. If so, proceed as below:

Vinyl tiles are 100% made of polymer materials ensuring they do not warp even when subjected to excessive moisture. However, when cleaning, you will need:

Cleaning process

Step 1: Use a broom or vacuum to remove the dirt and debris that might scratch the tiled surface.

Step 2: Mix your tile cleaner with water to a specified level.

Step 3: Dip your mop into the above solution, then wring out as much water as possible and use it mop away the dirt and remove light stains

Step 4: Once you are through with the above step, the stains remaining will be challenging to remove. Therefore, proceed as follows depending on the stain type:

Linoleum tiles are low-maintenance, challenging, and resilient. Moreover, they are made from natural materials such as wood dust, cork, and limestone particles, making them attractive flooring options. However, they are not as durable as such clean them as follows:

Cleaning process

Step 1: Use a broom or vacuum to remove the dirt and debris that might scratch the tiled surface.

Step 2: Wipe the tile surface using a microfiber cloth to remove any remaining small particles that could scratch the tiles.

Step 3: Take your tile cleaner, mix it with water, then dip your mop into it and wring it thoroughly.

Step 4: Use clean water to rinse the earlier solution off.

Step 5: Apply a dry piece of cloth to dry the tile surface.

Even after cleaning your tile floors, you will find the grout still stays dirty, begging for more specialized attention.

In such scenarios, you should consider using an oxygen-based bleach such as hydrogen peroxide in place of harsher tile cleaners that are more suitable for outdoor and severe cases.

To accomplish the cleaning of the grout, you should:

Step 1: Make a paste from two parts oxygenated powder such as generic washing powders and one part hydrogen peroxide.

Step 2: Use an old toothbrush to smear the mixture into the grout lines paying extra attention to the worst affected regions.

Step 3: Let the paste sit for some five or so minutes.

Step 4: Use a brush to scrub the grout lines thoroughly.

Step 5: Rinse the area using clean water.

Step 6: Use a dry cloth to dry the surface.

 

How to Clean Molds on Tile Floors?

Moisture coupled with warmth provides the perfect conditions for life to thrive, and with it, molds also thrive. As we also need these conditions to thrive, having molds growing on tile floors is not something new.

However, you should never let them grow as some may have profound health implications. To prevent this, you should clean them off using:

Cleaning Process

Step 1: Mix the baking powder with water to form a thick paste.

Step 2: Apply the paste to the affected areas.

Step 3: Let the paste sit for as long as an hour or two.

Step 4: Use the scrub brush to scrub it off.

Step 5: Rinse the tiles using clean water.

Step 6: Use a dry cloth to dry the tiles.

Dos When Cleaning Tile Floors

Don’ts When Cleaning Tile Floors

 

How to Disinfect Tile Floors?

Be it because you have a baby or feel a need to disinfect your tiled floors, you should always:

Step 1: Clear household accessories and furniture from the room you want to disinfect.

Step 2: Use a vacuum or broom to remove debris and dirt from the room.

Step 3: Mix your disinfectant with water using the specified ratios.

Step 4: Mop the entire room overlapping each stroke for better cleaning.

Step 5: Let the solution sit for about five minutes.

Step 6: Rinse the solution off using clean.

Step 7: Let the room air dry.

 

How Often to Clean Tile Floors?

After laying a tiled floor, most of the time, you may fail to find adequate time to clean the flooring, especially if you lack house help. If so, you should probably:

Step 1: Apply a sealant on the flooring to make it easier to clean and increase its durability.

Step 2: Clean the floor about twice a week in low traffic areas and daily in high traffic areas.

Step 3: Clean the grout about once a month.

Step 4: Maintain the floor annually using an acrylic or wax liquid to simplify cleaning.

 

FAQs

1. What is the best way to clean a tile floor?

The best way to clean a tile floor depends on the type of tile you have, as they tend to have different requirements. However, the general and time tested way, usually entails:

Using a vacuum or a broom to remove debris.

Mixing your cleaning solution in the manufacturer’s ratio.

Mop the tile using the solution, ensuring you change the water whenever it becomes dirty.

Dry the tile using a dry microfiber cloth to prevent water spots formation.

Clean the grout.

2. Does vinegar damage porcelain tile?

Yes, if improperly used, vinegar will strip the porcelain finish leaving the floor vulnerable to damage. However, if used in moderate amounts, it is perfectly safe.

3. Can you clean the tile with bleach?

Yes, bleach is a versatile product that you can use practically anywhere in the house, and cleaning tile floors is no exception. Just mix a gallon of water with ½ a cup of bleach, and you are good to go.

However, note that most bleaches are chlorinated and, if mishandled, can damage your tiles permanently.

4. What is the best cleaning solution for ceramic floors?

With all the ceramic cleaning detergents on sale, you will be surprised to find that the best and cheapest of all is one you can make by merely mixing distilled vinegar and water in equal amounts. It easily cleans stains and is relatively affordable.

 

Conclusion

When it comes to floorings, tile floors are the most popular due to their various designs, durability, low maintenance, and their relatively broad price range that caters to nearly all households.

However, it would help if you cleaned these floorings as often as possible and using the above procedures to maintain their beauty and durability.

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Scratches are a natural pain associated with wood floors that easily occur on the surface of the floors. There comes the question: how to get scratches out of wood floors?

There are many ways not only to remove but alternatively hide these marks. Before getting into detail, note that our floors are delicate, it is important to conserve them. Here are guides and tips on how to get scratches out of wood floors.

How to Remove Scratches from Hardwood Floors?

Wood is a fascinating and expensive choice of flooring. However, simple things like scratches could effortlessly ruin their elegance.

To properly get these scratches out, you’d better consider the type of floor finishing first. To help you with this, here is a list of the most popular types of floor finishes.

After determining your type of floor, finish proceeding to determine the scratch’s type or extent. And determine how serious or damaging the scratch is. It could either be a minor or deep scratch.

Below is a list of types of scratches and how to remove them.

These are scratches that appear on the surface or the finish of the wood floor. They are easily removed and do not involve a lot of work.

There are many ways to remove superficial surfaces; here is one of the easiest ways to perform this.

These are deeper scratches that have penetrated the surface and coating of the wood. To remove these scratches, follow these steps.

Talk off the nightmare of scratches on hardwood floors. Deep scratches or gauges require a lot of work to remove and hide or cover.

In most situations, this type of scratches requires you to sand the area, repair and refinish it, and as if to add insult to injury, in some circumstances, you have to redo the whole floor; it sounds like hell, right?

Well, since you are confused on the way forward with such scratches, here are two approaches you may take.

First, you may choose to refinish the whole floor. You can pick this approach if and only if a larger percentage of your floor is covered in deep scratches.

This method involves complete sanding and refinishing of your wood floors. This method of scratch removal is not advisable for engineered wood floors.

Secondly, you can always choose to refinish parts of your floors that have been primarily affected by the deep scratches. This can be achieved by following these easy steps.

Engineered wood floors have been hyped time and again, especially on their durability and long-lasting effect. Despite this, they are still prone to scratches. Here are a few pointers on how to execute this.

Using a plastic putty knife takes small amounts of wax and pushes it in the scratches; however, always ensure the wax matches the floor’s appearance.

Alternatively, there are other ways to remove the scratches,

1. Use steel wool and gently rub in the direction of the wood grain.
2. Use wood fillers, though be careful to match your floor’s color and the wood filler.

• Solid wood flooring

There are several ways to remove scratches from solid wood. These methods range from using steel wool all the way to using wood fillers. Below are the best ways to tackle these scratches.

The most effective way to deal with this type of scratches is to clip your dog’s nails. But just in case you forgot to clip the nails, here is a way to remove the scratches effectively.

Use crayons. Pick a color that matches that of your floors. Carefully color in the direction of the scratch and gently blend with your fingers.

This method, however, is only effective in hiding the blemishes and not removing them.

 

How Do You Cover Up Scratches on Hardwood Floors?

It is not always necessary to remove scratches, sometimes removing scratches may lead to further damage and may not be recommended where minor scratches are involved.

Here are a few die options for covering up scratches to maintain your floor’s glossy look.

Please note that you must adhere to colors in all these options and only go for those that match the color of your floor.

 

What Removes Scratches from Wood Flooring?

Scratches are light irritating markings on our floors. Despite their small and light appearance, they still have major effects, especially on the floor’s appearance.

All thanks to technology and modern advances, some substances can remove scratches easily on wood floors; depending on your floor type, any of these substances may be effective.

 

FAQS

Here are some frequently asked questions that may give you some help and references.

1. When to get professional help?

Most of the fix-it methods are pretty easy to execute. However, things could escalate in a matter of seconds. There are a lot of ways to easily mess up your floor when failing to adhere to simple instructions or overdo other things.

When this happens or when we are not 100% sure we can fix the floor, then it dismissively time to call in the big hands, professionals.

2. Can hardwood floor scratches be repaired?

Of course, they can, and yes, you can repair them yourself. Scratches and dents are not similar, especially when it comes to wood floors.

Scratches are light markings that mainly appear on the surface of your floor. They are very easy to repair and do not require a lot of effort.

Repairing of scratches on wood floors is made more comfortable and better since the materials we require to perform this procedure are readily available at home or around our environment.

3. Does vinegar remove deep scratches on groom wood floors?

Not surprising at all, yes vinegar can fix deep scratches on wood floors, and here is how.

Clear the surface of the wood floors, especially the area near the scratch

Mix your vinegar and olive oil and gently apply it to the scratch

Leave the mixture to settle in for a while and wipe it away.

 

Conclusion

Always deal with scratches the moment you spot them on your floor, asses the scratch and try and determine the type of scratch it is so as to address the problem safely and effectively without damaging your floor.

Also, remember that modern advances have introduced a lot of ways to deal with this problem. There is a lot o store-bought substances that can effectively deal with scratches. If you can afford them and easily use them,  go for this option since they already come with instructions on how to use them.

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Time and time again, it has been established that hardwood floors are prestigious and require high levels of maintenance. Stains may arise from dust, oil, grease, and surprisingly even water.

Hardwood floors are susceptible in addition to being prone to stains. If they are this sensitive, then how to remove stains from hardwood floors?

Well, do not panic. Stains are the norm in most households with hardwood floors. It is important that we remove these stains since ignoring them leads to even more damage to the floors.

What Causes Black Spots on Hardwood Floors?

There is a lot of controversy surrounding dark spots on wood floors. Some speculate that it is brought about by insect waste.

However, this may not be the case. So far, there are only two proven theories on the occurrence of black spots on hardwood floors.

One is the chemicals present in the floor coat. They encourage the production of oxygen, which in turn leads to the production of black rust that appears on our wooden floors.

Secondly, the spots might be a result of mold on the floors or mildew caused by moisture or inadequate ventilation.

 

How to Remove Black Stains from Hardwood Floors?

Dark or black stains on hardwood floors are like pests on animals, nothing but an absolute nuisance.

They are conspicuous and easily noticeable and they eliminate the beauty of the floor and the entire room.

However, just like all other problems, there is a solution to this issue. There are two ways of removing black stains:

The process of bleaching involves lightening the stain. Bleaching can be done with three agents.

when using peroxide, you require an old piece of cloth. Soak the old piece of cloth in hydrogen peroxide and dab it all over the stain.

Leave it to dry for a while and repeat the procedure until the entire stain is removed.

Wood bleach has proven to be most effective around black stains. The bleach is highly recommended as it is not harsh towards the hardwood floor.

Chlorine is the most effective and works well on food and bloodstains.

Vinegar for home-based solutions seems to be the answer to most of our cleaning problems, doesn’t it? White vinegar and a little bit of baking soda always do the trick.

The use of sandpaper is also a means of removing the black stain on hardwood floors.

However, not all types of sandpapers are fit for stain removal. When sanding, use fine-grit sandpaper for your hardwood floors.

Depending on your type of floor, sanding is done differently. For a none sealed floor, sanding is done back and forth.

However, for a polished and sealed floor, sanding is done in the direction of the wood. After sanding, always vacuum the remnants of the wood.

Despite all these added advantages of hardwood floors, it involves a lot of work to execute.

 

How Do You Get Stains out of Hardwood Floors Without Sanding?

Sanding is one of the most effective ways of stain removal on hardwood floors. However, this method But don’t worry. There are other methods of removing stains on hardwood floors.

The method of stain removal largely depends on the type of stain.

 

How to Remove Dog Urine from Hardwood Floors?

Most dog owners know that occasionally, peeing around the house may occur. In case your dog has a slip-up around hardwood floors, to be precise, do not waste time panicking.

Quickly find a way of drying up the stain before anything else. There are a number of ways of cleaning up dog urine stains. Below are a few pointers on how to accomplish this easily.

 

How to Remove Scuff Marks from Wood Floors?

Scuff marks are very irritating and unappealing on our wooden floors. They easily appear on our floors and may be difficult to remove.

There are several ways of removing scuff marks from our floors, even without requiring the assistance of a professional.

Here are a few tips on how to achieve this.

 

How to Remove White Rings and Watermarks from Wood Floors?

Most stains on wood floors are mostly caused by liquid-based substances. This should not cause any worry or panic at all, as they are easily removed by easily acquired substances.

Here are a few ways on how to remove white stains on wood floors.

 

How to Get Other Stains out of Hardwood Floors?

There are a lot of substances that can contribute to the staining of hardwood floors.

Here are some substances that cause staining and useful tips on how to remove them.

 

How to Prevent Water Stains on Hardwood Floors?

Water stains are common with hardwood floors. There are ways of preventing water from damaging our hardwood floors. Here are a few tips on how to achieve this.

1. Always go for quality products when cleaning your floors. Avoid harsh chemicals that would ruin your floor.
2. In case of any water spill, quickly dry the affected area to prevent staining.
3. Ensure you remove wet or moist items such as carpets, shoes, or mats on the floor.
4. Fix any leaks or plumbing problems around the house.
5. Always use a sealant on your floor.

 

Conclusion

Stain removal on hardwood floors is a tricky subject. There are a lot of things involved in stain removal, specifically around hardwood floors, since they are super sensitive.

Always follow the correct guidelines on how to remove specific stains, and always keep in mind that not all stains are removed in the same way.

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