![Can You Use a Carpet Cleaner on Tile Floors [Surprise]](https://assets-global.website-files.com/616850a698f4c94259ae2693/6411b87896e3de0375558db4_using-carpet-cleaner-on-tile-floors-780x461.jpg)
Most carpet cleaners work by spritzing a cleaning solution and hot or warm water on the carpet, before using the scrubbing brush or their machine. Afterwards, they’ll extract whatever liquid’s left in the fibers. The crux of the issue here is that while carpet cleaning machines, work just fine when extracting dirt and grime from carpets, most of them have metal pieces at the bottom which can damage non-carpet related surfaces. Our techs do not recommend if one can you use carpet cleaner on tile floors. It’s best to use other methods to avoid damaging the tiles or removing grout.
We have teamed up with Carpet Team to tackle this popular question on why it’s best to opt for other cleaning methods based on the type of tile in your home.
Porcelain tile isn’t the most difficult tiles to care for and with proper maintenance, it will last you a lifetime. All you need are two cups of white vinegar, a tablespoon of dish washing soap and two gallons of warm water. Mix everything in a bucket, then dip a sponge in the solution and scrub the entire floor using a back and forward motion. Empty the bucket when you’re done mopping then refill it with clean water. Rinse the sponge and mop the floor again with the clean water. Either air the room or use towels to dry the floor.
Stone tiles tend to be rough around the edges, so without proper care – using the right cleaners, they’ll fade away with time and become dull. To keep them looking their best, use non-abrasive tools and cleaning solutions with a well-balanced pH. The ingredients for stone tile cleaning are just a few (three or four) drops of gentle dish washing soap mixed with one gallon of warm water. Soak a sponge in the solution and use it to clean the entire floor. When you’re done, pour out the dirty water, rinse both the bucket and the sponge. Afterwards, refill the bucket with clean water and use it to clean the floor again.
They’re very cheap, require almost no maintenance, and will last long if you’re careful with them. But just because they don’t require as much care as other tiles, that doesn’t mean you should neglect yours entirely – regular maintenance can go a long way in terms of extending its useful life. The ingredients you’ll need are; a cup of white vinegar mixed with one gallon of warm water. Submerge a mop into the solution, wring out the excesses and clean the vinyl tiles. Unlike other materials, you won’t need to mop a vinyl tile twice. Once you’re done the first time, you can just dry out any excess mixture from the floor with a dry towel.
They’re made from fired clay, so are not very susceptible to wear and tear. They’re slightly more expensive than vinyl, and need a lot more care, but if your decor tastes run towards the past century or so, ceramic tiles be worth the time and money spent. Ceramic tiles need to be deep cleaned regularly, which involves washing and scrubbing the floor like grout. For washing, you need a cap full of alcohol and one gallon of warm water. First saturate the scrubbing brush in the solution and use it to clean the tiles. Once you’re done scrubbing, wash the floor with the remaining solution and a mop.
While the answer to “can you use a carpet cleaner on tile floors” is no, there are much more effective cleaning options for all types of tiles. While mopping, ensure you start at the angle farthest from the entrance and work outwards. This will prevent you from stepping on places you’ve already cleaned.
Pet urine stains are no fun to clean, especially when it deals with grout. Tile grout is usually porous and absorbs liquids, making it an urgent case to clean when noticed. Our team has teamed up with PICO Wall, an easy-to-use potty training accessory for puppies. By simply attaching the potty pads to the PICO wall, dog owners can teach their pets to isolate their bathroom breaks – making pet cleanup and over spray easy to clean up.
