Nothing can compare to the beauty of tile floors. They add a touch of elegance to any room, are easy to install, and are easy to care for. However, if you don’t stay on top of deep cleaning maintenance, dirt and grime can build up, making them look dull and lackluster.
Luckily, you can restore the tiles to their original glory.
And you can do so with two different methods. Stripping and waxing them will help to bring back the shine, and tile and grout cleaning will remove any dirt and grime that has built up over time.
Simple right? Here’s how it’s done.
Stripping & Waxing
Stripping and waxing is a two-step process. The stripping solution helps break down and remove the build-up of dirt and grime with the stripping solution. Then, its soft glow is restored with the wax as it adds a new protective layer.
The first step is to strip the flow. You want to ensure you remove any excess old wax, dirt, and grime causing your tile to look dull and dingy. This often requires using unique stripping solutions and a buffer. Once you’ve removed the wax and build-up, apply a new layer using a particular waxing solution.
The waxing solution will do two things:
1. It’ll bring back the shine of your tile floors, making them more appealing.
2. It’ll help protect your floors from new dirt and grime build-up.
Just remember that this process can be time-consuming, and the results may be temporary. You may need to regularly strip and wax the tiles to maintain a lasting shine.
Tile and Grout Cleaning
This is a full-on deep cleaning method.
As you look down at your floors, you can’t help but notice the dirt and grime between the tiles and that dull look on the surface. And if you don’t have a wax coating on your floor, stripping and waxing aren’t in your favor.
Instead, you can get away with a good old fashion scrub for tile and grout cleaning. Unlike stripping and waxing, tile and grout cleaning doesn’t require harsh chemicals. You can actually make a lot of progress using three essential ingredients:
1. Baking soda
2. Hydrogen peroxide
3. Dish soap
Yes. It’s that simple. When you add the mixture to the floors, you’ll want to let it soak for about 10 minutes. This is because tiles are porous, meaning they have air pockets. And in those pockets lie dirt and grime that’s building up. So letting the solution soak will help it seep into the pockets and remove the excess dirt and grime.
After the solution has soaked into your floors, it’s time to scrub. And while you can really get down and dirty by using a toothbrush to scrub the grout joints (space between the tiles), a scrub mop will do just fine. Just be sure the bristles aren’t so rigid. You don’t want to risk scratching the tiles.
Time to Hire a Professional
Many people with tile floors do the essential maintenance of sweeping and mopping. But every once in a while, tile floors require a deeper cleanse. And when you skip those Saturday deep cleaning sessions, you tend to see the effects later in time.
But whether you’re too busy running a business, making sure your family’s routine is running smoothly, or you just forget, both tile and grout cleaning and stripping and waxing are effective solutions for restoring the look of your tile floors. Just decide which one is ideal for your floors. Stripping and waxing can help to bring back the shine, while deep cleaning can help to remove dirt and grime.
If DIY is not for you, you should consider hiring a professional. Restore-A-Floor in Brighton is a stone floor and tile restoration company that will quickly and effectively revive any tile or stone floor, bath, or counter. Our professional stone floor restoration services are tried and true as our customers continue to be amazed with the results bringing the most lifeless grout and tile back to life at a fraction of the cost of replacement, plus provide protection for years to come.
So whether you are spring cleaning, getting ready to sell your home or just want to bring your stone floors back to life our stone floor and tile restoration services are a favorite choice in Michigan! Call for a Free Estimate