Cleaning Commercial Tile Floors Correctly

The Importance of Clean Tiles

Keeping commercial tiles pristine is just as important as maintaining a clean restroom. Having dirty tiles can lead to fundamental problems for your floor that are best avoided.

Safety: Maintaining clean floors is paramount to the safety of your customers and workers. Sticky, dirty, or slippery floors are hazardous to everyone walking on them. It’s important to clean them regularly to avoid injuries and lawsuits.
Sanitation: Tile floors left without proper cleaning are more likely to grow mold and bacteria which can be extremely harmful in a kitchen or bathroom.
Presentation: People want to avoid walking across dirty floors while shopping or attending class. Having presentable-looking tile floors will make customers leave the store happy and more likely to return.
Longevity: When tiles are clean, they tend to last much longer. A build-up of gunk can deteriorate sealants and cause the tiles to crack. Keeping your tile floors clean extends their lifespan, wards off repairs, and saves money on cleaning.

How to Clean Different Types of Tiles

How you keep tile floors clean depends on the type of tile you’re working with. Tile floors are made differently and come in many materials, requiring unique treatment. Here are some of the most common styles of tile floors and how to best preserve them:

Porcelain and Ceramic

Porcelain and ceramic tiles are affordable and relatively easy to clean, making them a popular option for commercial facilities. They can often be found in commercial bathrooms and kitchens.

Cleaning porcelain tile floors is similar to cleaning ceramic and can be started by removing the top layer of dirt and grime with thorough vacuuming or dusting. With warm water, soap, and a non-acidic cleaning solution, use a mop and soft bristle brush or another cleaning device to polish each tile completely. Depending on the texture of the tile, you’ll want to use specific techniques to get into every crevice. Doing so once or twice a week helps your tiles last as long as possible.

Non-Slip

Non-slip tiles can be convenient in a commercial setting, especially if spills or wet shoes are frequent in your facility. Because of the nature and texture of non-slip tiles, it’s crucial to use cleaning solutions that aren’t overly acidic or contain strong chemicals. Potent chemicals could damage the tiles’ non-slip qualities and completely ruin the floor.

When in doubt, you can’t go wrong with warm water and low PH solution. Take special care not to ruin the finish by letting solutions dry to the tiles directly.

Natural Stone

Natural stone is an excellent material to work with. You might find natural stone tiles—such as granite, limestone, or marble—in bathrooms, kitchens, reception areas, walkways, or lobbies. They are often used to elevate a room’s extravagance but tend to be some of the most costly types of tiles available.

It can be easy to ruin stone tile quality without taking the correct measures. Avoid using harsh cleaning agents that might wear through the tile’s protective sealant over time; the natural stone will deteriorate and crack faster than other tiles if this occurs. With the right cleaner, a broom, and a mop, you’re all set.

High-Gloss

Regular cleaning and polishing are needed to keep high-gloss tiles shiny and appealing. There’s no point in having high-gloss tiles if they’re covered with streaks, dirt, and spots that diminish their reflective qualities.

As with other tiles, it’s best to start your cleaning routine by sweeping or vacuuming any loose dirt or crumbs. Next, use as mild a solution as possible with warm water. This is the best bet for keeping your gloss finish intact because it’s incredibly vulnerable to being worn down by corrosive cleaning agents. It’s also recommended that the floors be dried exceptionally well to avoid wet marks or streaks that could tarnish the glossy appearance.

Industry-Specific Tile Cleaning Tips

The area you’re working with might play a role in the way you clean your tile floors. Different industries will have varying types of customers, reasons for required cleaning, and available space.

Here are a few common industries that typically need to know how to keep tile floors clean and a few tips for doing so in their respective space.

Retail Cleaning Tips

Retail businesses must follow strict guidelines for proper cleaning, and the same goes for their tile floors. With customers coming in and out of the store, regular tile floor cleaning will keep them safe and satisfied with the store’s appearance.

Depending on the layout of the retail facility, you may have a limited amount of room for using large pieces of cleaning equipment. Investing in high-quality mops, push brooms, and cleaning solutions can greatly improve your cleaning efficiency. Have a solid understanding of the store’s set-up to complete the job promptly.

Keeping a retail store clean can be challenging with a sea of customers and aisles to navigate, but it’s possible with the right cleaning team. Read here to learn more about how to keep tile floors clean in retail and the importance of doing so!

Importance of Retail Cleaning Services

Grocery Store Cleaning Tips

Grocery store cleaning can be difficult when you need to keep tile floors clean. There’s a constant flux of incoming customers, tight aisles, and spills that happen often. However, people want to know that dirt isn’t being kicked into the air where they shop for food.

Luckily, there might be enough room to play with effective floor care products. Try utilizing automatic floor cleaners and burnishers for quick and remarkable tile cleaning. It’s also useful to remember the time of day, as attempting to clean a store during the busiest hours can delay the process and get in the way of customers.

School Cleaning Tips

Similar to cleaning a grocery store, there’s a best and worst time to clean the tiles of a school floor. If possible, doing so after school hours saves time and eliminates the possibility of accidents. With empty hallways and cafeterias, you can use large floor machines to streamline the cleaning process. Be diligent when cleaning the tiles of bathrooms and kitchens, as bacteria are prone to developing in these areas.

Keeping schools clean and safe for children is a constant battle, but maintaining your tile flooring can help.

Want Your Tile Floors to Sparkle? Partner With Carlson

The importance of spotless tile floors can’t be overstated. That being said, it takes a lot of work and the proper equipment to keep them in top shape. Even if you know how to keep tile floors clean, you may find it beneficial to simply leave it up to the professionals. That’s where Carlson Building Maintenance comes in.

With Carlson, you won’t have to worry about your commercial tile floors being grimy, cracking, or developing fungus in damp corners. Our top-of-the-line cleaning practices take a major task off your shoulders and give you the best results possible. Whether you need help with school, warehouse, retail, or grocery store floor cleaning, consider using the Carlson Difference.