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Tile Experts: What is the best way to clean porcelain tile?

15 years ago

Is vinegar harmful to grout? What is the best way to clean porcelain tile and grout?

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maydl

15 years ago

I believe that the tile gurus on this forum have advised against using even diluted vinegar-water solutions to clean grout. I bought a Bissell steam mop to use from time to time on my new porcelain tile floor, and it seems to do a nice job with just hot water. On my porcelain tile backsplash, I've used the alcohol-Dawn-water solution advised by many on this forum for cleaning stainless steel and granite; I hope that's also OK for tile.

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Comments (10)

bill_vincent
15 years ago
For the most part, plain hot water should be all you need. If you need any detergient at all, try using some oxyclean.
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I hope you got some money, cuz this one's gonna break the bank: Hot water. This is why you paid the extra for a more durable surface like porcelain instead of going with vinyl. Enjoy it!! All it should take for most normal cleaning is plain clear hot water. Every once in a while (maybe once every 3-4 months) add some oxyclean to the water, and that should take care of anything that might be a bit tougher to get out.
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We just redid two bathrooms with porcelain tile instead of marble. I was told to only use non- bleach cleaners and no vinegar. Installer said as an extra precaution to seal grout and use scrubbing bubbles on shower area (polished porcelain) and wet mop floor which is honed.
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minette99
15 years ago
I have a porcelain tile floor and my tile guy said -- just as Bill said -- "hot water and that's it." So that's all I've used since it went in in 2/08 and so far, so very good!
Buehl
15 years ago
Plain hot water doesn't clean oily/greasy spots...so, what about for just general cleaning? I thought I'd use a mild detergent in hot water...is that a no-no? I would have thought Oxyclean would be harsher.

If a mild detergent is OK, is there one you suggest? I know you can get "vinyl floor cleaners" at the grocery store, what about "tile floor cleaner"?
bill_vincent
15 years ago
Oxyclean IS a mild detergient. I used to recommend things like Top Job, Mr. Clean, Spic N Span, etc., but since I ran into the Oxyclean, and it did the job that it did, I've been sold.

buehl-- For the most part, hot water should do it. You're right-- it won't really get greasy dirt, but that's when you break out the Oxyclean.
Buehl
15 years ago
Thanks Bill! (belated Thank you....sorry 'bout that!)
bill_vincent
15 years ago
Is no prollem! :-)
Deborah Luciano
4 years ago
Can I use OxiClean on porcelain floors and shower walls if not what do you recommend
tartanmeup
4 years ago
Glad to see this thread revived. Curious to know what's the current advice for porcelain grout.
eam44
4 years ago
last modified: 4 years ago
Grout hasn’t changed much, and neither has grout care. There are three categories of grout: cementitious, epoxy, and furan. Most of us have cementitious grout (with or without latex). For that, clean tiles and grout with dilute detergent and water. Remember to seal your grout (once it’s dry) annually.

Epoxy grout does not have to be sealed, but it can stain; if I’d does, you can brighten it with a dilute bleach or dilute vinegar.

Furan is usually black and used in floors in industrial applications.

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