Top tips on cleaning tiles

Floor and wall tiles are usually very easy to keep clean. Follow the golden rule of not using bleach or ammonia, and don’t scratch them by using abrasive products, and they should look good for a very long time.

Normally, keeping them swept clean and washing them with warm water and detergent is usually all you need to do. However, there are times when this isn’t enough, and there are a few life hacks that’ll help you keep everything spick and span!

Candle wax

Most celebrations involve the use of candles – whether it’s on the birthday cake, a Hanukkah menorah, Diwali lights, an Advent crown, or an anniversary dinner. If you accidentally drop candle wax onto your tile floor, don’t worry, it’s not the end of the world. All you have to do is scrape as much of the wax off as you can using a wooden or plastic spatula so you don’t scratch the tiles. Then cover the area with a thick wad of kitchen paper towels and, using an iron on medium heat, iron over the towels. The heat from the iron will melt the wax and the towels will soak it up. When you’ve finished, wipe the tiles with warm water and then dry with paper towels to catch any residue.

Vegetable oil

Kitchen tiles are going to suffer quite a bit from vegetable oil and grease spills. If you want to avoid using a commercial cleanser, you can make your own effective (and eco-friendly) version. Add one part of lemon juice to one part white vinegar and mix it with two parts baking soda to make a paste. Spread the paste over the oil and rub gently. If necessary, use an old toothbrush to scrub the grouting. Then wipe up the paste and rinse with warm water.

How to clean grouting

If you’ve got a stain on your grouting, or it’s getting a bit dirty, there are a couple of simple methods that’ll help you clean them. The first is to try and rub it out with one of those little erasers you get at the end of a pencil! It’s the perfect size for grouting. Alternatively mix baking soda and water into a paste and rub it onto the grouting; leave for a few minutes, then scrub it more vigorously using an old toothbrush. When you’ve finished, wash the area with warm water.

Of course, if you’ve moved into a new property and the tiles are beyond help, it’s time to replace them! In which case, visit your nearest Home Tiles store to be amazed by our huge variety of high-quality and great value tiles. And if you’re thinking of doing the retiling yourself, ask any of our friendly staff for advice on what you need in order to do it well.