There is a big difference between old and new tiles in terms of appearance. The old ones don’t look as good as they used to because over time, tiles can become dull, dirty, and discolored. If you are getting uncomfortable putting up with such tiles because they are becoming an eyesore, it is certainly a good reason to make them look new again. So, how do you revive dull floor tiles to give your home a fresh new look that will impress not only yourself, but also your guests?
There are a few ways to do so but with varying degrees of cleanliness, shine, and longevity. It really depends on how much effort and money you are willing to put in to do up your tiled floor. Below are some methods you can try.
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Ways To Revive Dull Floor Tiles
Manual Mopping
One of the main reasons why floor tiles become dull is because of a layer of grime. While you can vacuum away dirt and dust, that is not enough to make the floor shiny again because of the build up. You need to do more to strip away the grimy layer.
The cheapest way to do that is to manually mop it away. Some people like to go the natural way and use vinegar with water to get rid of grime. You can also use any floor cleaner but follow the instructions on the amount needed. More doesn’t mean better cleaning because it can leave your floor sticky instead after mopping.
Steam Mopping
Many people find mopping to be a hassle. Moving a bucket and a stick all around the house is indeed a chore. Furthermore, it can be a big problem for those with mobility issues. But if you want to brighten up old tiles, you can’t run away from cleaning and mopping.
An alternative to the usual mop with bucket is the steam mop. A steam mop can also help to make floor tiles look clean and newer. This is because the steam can loosen the grime which the cleaning pad can mop away. As a result, you can get rid of the stickiness and grease.
The good thing about a steam mop is that it typically comes with a few attachments which include brushes to clean the tile grouts. Simple mopping will not be able to clean the grouts. You need specific brushes for that and it can be tiring to get down on your knees and manually scrub by hand. So, a steam mop with different attachments is one way to clean both the tiles and the grouts for a new look.
Scrubbing
If you have tough stains on the tiles to get rid of, mopping may not work well enough. What you need is a scrubber. But it is tough to scrub with your hands especially if you have a large area to cover. An easier method to erase all the build up and make your tiles glossy again is to use an electric spin scrubber.
Just like the steam mop above, this kind of cleaning tool comes with various attachments. Thus, it is multi-functional as you can use it to clean tubs, stovetops, glass, and even car tires apart from floor tiles. Basically, it cuts down on the time and effort needed for you to clean your floor and make the tiles look fresher.
Polishing
Sometimes, mopping and scrubbing alone may not be enough to revive dull tiles. You also need to polish them. Nowadays, polishing need not be hard work anymore with the right solutions and a spin cleaner and polisher. A restorer can bring back the shine to your tiles as it fills in tiny scratches caused by furniture and other household items and adds a protective layer to your floor. Many of these restorers are simple mop-on applications.
So, you can simply use an electric spin mop and your chosen restorer to polish up the floor without much effort needed. You can also use it for cleaning. These spin mops are typically cordless to make it easy to move around the house. But you do need to charge it up before using and that might take 2 to 3 hours to get a maximum charge. Some models allow you to clean up to an hour before you will need to recharge the battery.
Deep Cleaning
If you are really fussy about the level of cleanliness of your tiles, mopping and polishing with the tools listed above may not be up to your high standards. Yes, they can help to restore the look of your tiles somewhat, but it may not be close enough to their original appearance.
What you need then is a floor buffer and polisher. This type of tool is much more expensive than the usual electric mops because it does much more than surface cleaning and polishing. It not only cleans and scrubs, but also strips, buffs, sands, and polishes. In other words, it deep cleans in a way that the cheaper tools can’t. It will take away all those buildup that simple mopping and polishing leave behind.
So, how do you revive dull floor tiles depends on the condition and results that you are trying to achieve. Some may be happy if their floor simply looks a little bit cleaner than before while others may want to totally rejuvenate their old tiles and restore their original look. Therefore, assess your needs before you choose the type of cleaning and tools for the job.
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