How to Clean Bathroom Tile Floors

The amount of moisture in the average bathroom means floors get dirty fast. Even when mildew isn't a problem, dust from the air mixes with moisture on tiles, creating a film of grime, which happens whether your tiles are ceramic, vinyl or marble. Cleaning your bathroom tiles frequently will not only keep floors looking better, it will keep your bathroom more sanitary. It is not the most joyful housecleaning task, but as long as you don't let the floor get filthy, it isn't the most difficult either.

Step 1

Sweep the floor first to remove surface dirt. Put rubber gloves on before you prepare the floor cleaning solution.

Step 2

Mix tile cleaner with water (if the label indicates the cleaner should be diluted) in your mop bucket. Choose a tile cleaner appropriate for the tile material. What you should use on vinyl tile may differ from what you should use on marble tile, for example. The latter is sensitive to many chemicals, and you should stick with a marble floor cleaner for these tiles.

Step 3

Dip a nylon bristle brush in the cleaning solution. Use it to brush any stained areas of grout.

Step 4

Dip your mop in the cleaning solution, and wring it out. Start mopping in a corner farthest away from the bathroom door so you don't mop yourself into a corner, and have to walk over your wet mopped floor.

Step 5

Mop one small section at a time. Dip your mop back in the bucket, and wring it out frequently to keep the mop clean; otherwise you are just spreading the dirt around the tiles. You'll need to pay special attention around the toilet. If a lot of dirt, mold or other grime has collected there, you'll need to stop mopping and use the scrub brush on tile in this area.

Step 6

Dump out the cleaning solution, and re-fill the bucket with clean rinse water. Wash your mop head out in a utility sink or the bathtub. Use it, dipped into the rinse water, to rinse the floor.

Step 7

Dry the tiles by rubbing them with towels. You could let the tiles air dry, but drying the floor with towels prevents water spots and streaks, leaving the floor tiles shinier.