cleaning kitchen / bathroom floor tiles

thriftmonster

Do they have a very glazed finish or are they more like old terracotta? If they're not heavily glazed, you could try stripping off the finish with a product called De-Golv, then scrubbing the tiles with diluted bleach to clean them and then refinishing with an application of Golv. This worked wonders on our 100yo terracotta hall tiles.

sleepybookworm7

thriftmonster wrote: »

Do they have a very glazed finish or are they more like old terracotta? If they're not heavily glazed, you could try stripping off the finish with a product called De-Golv, then scrubbing the tiles with diluted bleach to clean them and then refinishing with an application of Golv. This worked wonders on our 100yo terracotta hall tiles.

They are not highly glazed (although they may have been once upon a time!). I've never heard of De-Golv - is it a B&Q jobbie?

Gingernutmeg

I think it's an HG product, and they're supposed to be really good. I know you can get some of the range from Homebase.

harmonsmith

Tackle tough stains on your ceramic tile with a pumice stone, dampening the stain and rubbing the stone over the surface until it disappears. Pumice will not scratch ceramic tile. A paste made of borax and lemon juice is also effective at removing stains. Slather it on the stain, let the mixture dry completely, then rinse it off with hot water. Repeat if necessary. ciciliotandson.com/

greenbee

Elbow grease works well on the surface of the tiles... unless the glaze is cracked and the dirt has got underneath it, try scrubbing with the green pan scourers.

If the dirt is under the glaze, you may have to strip it off, and then reseal and polish them. You can sand the glaze off, or use one of a number of chemical cleaners/restorers.

If it's the grout that is the problem, one of the cleaners that has a high proportion of phosphoric acid will work well, but be very careful when using it - gloves/goggles/mask etc should be used, plus apply carefully so that it doesn't damage bits you don't want it to (and wear old clothes!)

jenny74

Hi all...

My (severely disabled) Mum lives in a bungalow that has standard council issue floor tiles. (The greyish hard wearing kind). Thing is the 'carers' have not been doing their job properly and they have ingrained dirt on them.

I was kneeling on the floor as I was defrosting her freezer yesterday and scrapped a bit with my nail and it does come off... But obviously this is no way to clean the whole floor! (I'd have no nails left either, lol!)

Now I want to sort this out for her, (she hasn't asked me to, but she is not good as asking for help). SO What is the best thing to use? I have my own problems with my wrists so cannot scrub hard for any length of time. My sister has suggested Cillit bang, but hasn't actually used it herself. So opinions on this would be appreciated, too.

The last resort would be to buy some lino to lay over the top, but I would probably have to pay for that for her ( :eek: ) and get my DH to lay it, and as we have recently moved, we have lots to do at home as it is. (AND DH is working extremely long hours, so I don't want to ask him to unless absolutely necessary).

I would really appreciate some advice on this!

Jenny :A

greenbee

I'd be wary of using Cillit bang. And it does depend on what the tiles are made of.

The best thing for cleaning them with is those green nylon pan scourers and some floor/surface cleaner. I had a huge problem with some terracotta tiles last year, when someone put black grout on them. My dad (who is lovely ) cleaned it all off with scourers (the ones he calls scotchbrite which I guess is the brand). I recommend knee pads and gloves...

Genuisscuffy

Hi I live in a Housing Association house but before privately rented and some of the kitchens!! well !!! the easiest way I find was to use Jif and a sponge (large car sponge works a treat) and then scrub - afterwards wash as normal. I know you said you cant scrub for long but the jif or cif as its now called really makes it easier. Hope that helps??

Pink.

Hi Jenny,

This thread may help:

cleaning kitchen floor tiles

I'll add your thread to that one later to keep the suggestions together.

Pink

shopaholic232

Hi everyone I am decorating my kitchen and i would like to find something strong to clean my floor tiles with usually i just use bleach but it doesnt bring them up very well, I have a dog and he leaves the kitchen so messy when he comes in from the garden, any ideas for cleaning the tiles would be great