Harder, denser and more durable than its ceramic counterpart, Porcelain tile is a hard material. Porcelain tile is made from fine kaolin clay and is impervious to water. And, since porcelain tile is usually glazed, your tile should be durable enough to withstand whatever life throws at you. As an added benefit, the material usually doesn’t require much maintenance to keep it looking its best. However, if you have porcelain tile floors in your home, you’ll probably notice that over the years, foot traffic, spills, and general grime will leave your tile looking dirty and sparkling clean, even if you Mopping your floors on schedule. The solution to polishing porcelain tile floors is probably already in your kitchen, however, as it’s a common liquid you can use for other cleaning needs around the house: distilled white vinegar.
Vinegar, especially distilled white vinegar, may be a kitchen staple, but it’s also a powerful cleaning solution. Since vinegar is made from acetic acid, it can clean and disinfect; Also, acetic acid is found in some store-bought cleaning solutions, making it a great option if you don’t want to buy a specialty cleaning product. It’s acidic enough to tackle not only dirt and stains, but mild enough to be safe for many surfaces. And when it comes to your porcelain tile, an acidic cleaner like vinegar may be all you need to tackle soap scum, grout haze, water spots and limescale buildup that leave it looking dull instead of sparkling clean.
How to clean porcelain tile floors with vinegar
Next time you’re preparing to clean your porcelain tile floor, break out your white paint. Vinegar as a homemade cleaning solution. After you’ve swept or vacuumed your flooring to remove any loose dirt and debris, you’ll be ready to prepare the mopping solution to wet the porcelain tile. Mix vinegar with warm water, then apply it to the floor with your chosen mop. It’s best to avoid the traditional mop-and-bucket setup, as well as sponge mops, as they can push dirty water off your tiles and onto your porous grout, so you may want to opt for a chamois-style mop instead. Alternatively, you can apply your vinegar cleaning solution by hand using a spray bottle and a cloth towel to remove the liquid (and any dirt that comes along).
While some sources say it’s okay to use undiluted vinegar on both your tiles and grout, there’s more evidence to suggest that diluting the vinegar—and keeping it as far away from the grout as possible—is the safest course of action. In general, no matter what you’re cleaning, it’s best to dilute white vinegar with water using a 50:50 mixture. For porcelain tile specifically, you can use a one part water, one part vinegar recipe, or dilute the household essentials further by using 1 cup of vinegar for every 1 gallon of water. When it comes to your grout, vinegar may be safe to use when diluted; However, for some grout, such as grout that is already damaged, the acidity of this kitchen staple can cause it to deteriorate further.
