Homemade Tile Floor Cleaning Solutions

I would like to share with you four simple environmentally friendly tile floor cleaning solutions that are a breeze to create and easy on your wallet. Tile flooring reflects dirt quickly so it is wise to keep up with floor cleaning maintenance. Dirt particles can also quickly build up in the grout area, making it more time consuming to clean. Always sweep up dust, hair, and dirt particles, and clean up spills as they happen. I would recommend keeping a “floor towel” nearby for quick wipe ups. I would also advise you to use washable mop pads for quick cleaning with just hot water. (These can go right into your wash machine and can be reused numerous times. I bought two from The Christmas Tree Store over a year ago and they are still in good condition.) Dust mops are good for quick cleaning and they can be removed, cleaned in the delicate cycle of your wash machine, and reused. For thorough floor cleaning, try using a cotton mop with coiled yarns or a well made sponge mop (though the former often works better).

1. Hot Water, Lemon Juice, and Vinegar Solution. Use 1 �½ gallons of hot tap water, 1 �¼ cups of white vinegar, four tablespoons of lemon juice, four drops of lavender oil (if desired) and mix in a bucket. Dip your mop into this solution and clean the floor. Make sure that you wring out the mop often for optimum cleaning results. When finished, dump the dirty mixture out of the bucket and fill it with hot tap water. Dip the mop into it and mop the entire area of tile flooring clean. This solution is safe for both ceramic tile and vinyl flooring. Note: Do not use this solution on stone tile flooring. For this type of flooring, see my next cleaning solution.

2. Liquid Dish Detergent and Hot Water. This one I learned from my grandmother, Rose. Mix no more than �¼ cup of liquid dish detergent and 1 �½ gallons of hot tap water in a bucket. Dip your mop into this sudsy solution and clean the floor. Make sure that you wring out the mop often for optimum cleaning results. When finished, dump the dirty mixture out of the bucket and fill it with hot tap water. Dip the mop into it and mop the entire area of tile flooring clean. This solution is especially safe for stone tile flooring. It is also great for vinyl and ceramic tile floors. If any streaking occurs from the soapy mixture, simply wipe clean with a mop and warm water.

3. Rubbing Alcohol and Hot Water. You will need this solution when the grout is especially dirty. Mix 3/4 cup of rubbing alcohol with 1 �½ gallons of hot tap water in a bucket. Dip your mop into this solution and clean the floor. Make sure that you wring out the mop often for optimum cleaning results. When finished, dump the dirty mixture out of the bucket and fill it with hot tap water. Dip the mop into it and mop the entire area of tile flooring clean. This solution is safe for ceramic tile flooring.

4. Hydrogen Peroxide and Water. This is only for those super tough grout stains. In a spray bottle, fill it halfway with hot water and fill the other half with hydrogen peroxide. Shake well. Spray directly onto the grout. Leave it on for thirty minutes. Repeat the process, if necessary. This time, however, leave on for only twenty minutes. Please keep in mind that this mixture should not be used for colored grout as it will bleach the color.