The Advantages of Tile Floors:
One of the advantages of tile floors is that they're easier to clean than hard-wood or concrete, often just a bucket of soap-suds and a wet cloth will suffice. But that doesn't mean, obviously enough, that you can get away without cleaning them. In fact, cleaning tile floors is even more necessary than cleaning - for instance - hardwood floors - clean tile floors shine, and dirty ones are equally conspicuous. So, if you've installed a new tile floor, you had best learn how to clean tile floors, to keep them looking perfect.
Cleaning Tile Floors:
Cleaning tile floors is not especially difficult - compared to cleaning a stone or hardwood floor of the same size, cleaning ceramic tile floors might easily be called easy, as regards the effort expended and the complexity involved. However, going about the task sloppily will only increase the difficulty of it, so you might want to go by it this way, at least to begin with.
The first thing you have to do when cleaning ceramic tile floors, obviously enough, is sweep up any debris and/or loose dirt from the floor - use your vacuum cleaner for the best results, especially around the skirting and other corners a broom might not be able to reach. Now, set the surface cleaner on its lowest setting, and go over the tiles once - this will get rid of all the loose dirt and debris, and you can start with the next stage.
This stage is mopping, which is the best way to clean ceramic tile floors. Here, prepare one bucket of cleaner, by mixing hot water and vinegar in equal amount; and fill another bucket with water - the temperature doesn't count for as much here, though using hot water is still a better idea - which you can use to rinse the floor. Having rinsed the floor, and mopped away all the water, wring out your mop as much as possible before dipping it into the cleaner - this is to avoid diluting the cleaner further. Now, mop the floor carefully - don't simply stroke lightly over the tiles, apply some firm downward pressure, and remember to clean out the grout as well. After you've mopped the floor satisfactorily, rinse it out again with a bucket of clean water - you don't want the vinegar to set into the grout, after all, or your skin. No, allow the floor to dry - a wet tile floor can be incredibly slippery. You might have to use a stronger cleaning product for the grout, but try and avoid the harsher acids, and bleaches, especially when dealing with coloured grout.
So now you know how to clean tile floors and keep them shining.