How To Clean Porcelain Tile Effectively

Share on Facebook

October 27, 2017

Dirt, fungus, stains, and harsh bacteria on ceramic tile countertops can make any kitchen or bathroom unsanitary and just plain filthy.

Here’s how to properly and most effectively clean porcelain tile and grout, so you can keep your countertops beautiful and germ-free.

Porcelain tile countertops are popular in kitchens and bathrooms.

So, knowing how to clean porcelain tile will help you keep your countertops sanitary and looking brand new.  And this isn’t just about aesthetics.  Harmful bacteria and microorganisms will get in your grout, which is porous.  This can make a kitchen counter unsafe for food, and make a bathroom countertop unsanitary.

Always wipe down your countertops after every use, so you can get rid of the majority of the dirt and germs, while preventing staining.  You should also do a deep cleaning two or three times a year.

Simply follow these tips for cleaning porcelain tile countertops.

First and foremost, wipe off the countertop with a prepared tile cleaner.  Or you can make your own by simply combining 1 ⅔ cup baking soda, ½ cup liquid soap, ½ cup water, and 2 tablespoons of vinegar.

This will remove the day-to-day dirt.

You’re going to start with the grout, because it’s the dirtiest part of the tile counter.  Tile doesn’t stain easily but grout does.

Spray your grout with the grout cleaner.  You can also use a mild bleach solution.  Please wear gloves when using these types of products.  These products contain strong cleaning agents that could irritate your skin.

For deep stains, allow the cleaner to sit for 10 minutes.  Use a toothbrush or other small scrub brush to scrub the grout.

This is where much of the dirt from daily use and, often, mildew accumulates.

Start at one corner of the counter and work your way across the surface, cleaning all the grout lines.  Do not scrub the tile itself with the brush, as this could scratch the tiles.

Let your grout air dry, then seal with a commercial grout sealer.  This will protect your grout from coming out and help it resist stains and dirt.

Should you seal the tile?  If you have glazed ceramic tiles, you won’t need to seal it.  Unglazed tile countertops will need to be sealed with a commercially prepared tile sealer to protect it and make it stain-resistant.

And finally, rinse the countertop and grout with hot water.  This will make a tile kitchen counter food-safe, and a bathroom counter germ-free.

Knowing how to clean ceramic tile will keep your counters beautiful and germ-free.

Hopefully this brief article gave you some great advice for cleaning your porcelain tile.

And of course, Builder Supply Outlet and the Edge Showroom carry the top kitchen cabinet brands including Waypoint, Shiloh, Aspect, Eclipse, Prior Creek, MidContinent, and Bertch. Stop in anytime to learn more about kitchen cabinets or make an appointment and meet with an Edge Kitchen and Bath Designer absolutely FREE by clicking here.

Feel free to stop into Builder Supply Outlet or the Edge Showroom with any home improvement questions you may have regarding cabinet hardware, bathroom vanity sinks, tops, remodeling, tile, backsplash, cleaning, sealing, grout, windows, kitchen cabinets, construction, contractors, designing/installing a new kitchen or bathroom — or anything else.  We can help you through the entire design and installation process from A-Z.  Or call us anytime in Broadview, IL at 1-708-343-3900. You can also make an appointment to meet with one of our Edge Kitchen and Bathroom designers at no charge by clicking here.