Cleaning tiles

LAST UPDATED: 7th January 2023 by The Editorial Team

Cleaning tiles

Summary: Step by step guide and video showing how to clean tiles, clean ceramic wall tiles and clean floor tiles.

How to clean wall or floor tiles

Cleaning wall tiles

The method you will want to use to clean your wall tiles will depend on how dirty your wall tiles are to begin with. For example some types of dirt that collect on bathroom tiles will be different to that found on kitchen tiles.

  • Firstly, wet the tiles and spray with a bathroom cleaner. Leave to settle for a minute and scrub using a sponge. Start at the top and work your way down. We recommend you use gloves when using a bathroom cleaner.
  • Scrub in a circular motion for the middle of the tiles and in a straight motion for the edges of the tiles. Do not concentrate your cleaning on the grout yet.

If you can still see residues on the tile surfaces, then try to determine the cause of the dirt. It could be from hard water (green stain), water that is high in iron (brown stain), or soap scum (milky residue). To properly remove these stains you may have to use alternative methods.

  • Start by using vinegar (white vinegar is particularly affective) and apply it to the tiles. Scrub as you did before and with any luck you should have clean, shiny tiles. We advise you to use gloves during this procedure.
  • If you are unable to remove the iron stains, try a bathroom cleaner that is designed to remove iron deposits. Always refer to the manufacturer’s instructions on how to apply the product.
  • If all else fails, you can use toilet bowl cleaner. This is very strong and should not be left on the tiles for long. It can also corrode plumbing, so rinse the solution off thoroughly.
  • Finally you will want to clean the grout. See How to clean grout.

Tools needed

  • Sponge or cloth
  • Gloves

Materials needed

  • Bathroom cleaner
  • Vinegar

Cleaning floor tiles

  • You will need to sweep up or vacuum all loose dirt. Clear all clutter from the floor, including chairs, toys, etc.
  • The best mops to use on tiles are ones made from cloth strips as they reach into the grout and remove difficult to reach dirt. Other mops, such as sponge mops, are not as effective at reaching uneven surfaces.
  • You will need a bucket filled with hot water. If your tiles are particularly dirty or you want a better clean finish, add a small amount of washing up liquid or specialised floor cleaner.
  • For stubborn stains, use a heavy duty floor cleaner that does not have bleach. Spot treat the stain using an appropriate implement such as sponge or brush.
  • Mop the floor once again to clean away any floor cleaner residue so it doesn’t stay on the tiles too long and cause damage. Heavy duty floor cleaner can eat away at the tiles if left too long. Finally leave the floor to air-dry.

Tools needed

  • Vacuum cleaner
  • Mop
  • Bucket
  • Gloves

Materials needed

  • Specialist floor cleaner
  • Vinegar

How to clean bathroom tiles video

Author

The Editorial Team

The Editorial Team at lets-do-diy.com are a team of experts led by Mark Wilson. We have been creating DIY projects, articles, costs guides and product reviews since 2008. For more info see our about page.