Vinegar and other acidic cleaners can stain them, etch the surface, and end up ruining their appearance, so steer clear of vinegar when you're cleaning them. This goes for all tiles made from cement or natural stone, including quartz, travertine, granite, marble, limestone, and slate tiles.
White vinegar costs less than the common store-bought cleaners, but can still effectively disinfect any surface without leaving a chemical residue. Cleaning floor tiles with vinegar is safe, as long they are porcelain or ceramic.
Using Vinegar on grout can also cause the grout to breakdown overtime. And, that strong acid could damage the finish on the tile too. Making the sheen on the tile look different and uneven.
Sprinkle a small amount of baking soda onto the tile (it should fizz slightly as it reacts with the vinegar), then gently scrub the surface with a sponge dampened with water.
Spray the floor with the Dawn and vinegar mixture. Use the mop and gently scrub the tile. For stuck-on areas or to spot clean, use a soft bristle brush and scrub the area. After scrubbing the entire floor, rinse the mop.
Vinegar is one of the best multi-purpose cleaners available at every house. It is safe to use on laminate, vinyl, porcelain, and ceramic tiles. A few drops of vinegar can help you restore the original look of your tile floors.
Cleaning and Maintaining Discolored Tile Floors
Clean With a Solution of Water and Bleach: If some of your tiles have become discolored, you will need to clean them before you can restore them to their former glory. The easiest way is by using a solution made from one part bleach and two parts water.
Efflorescence. Efflorescence is the white residue that is commonly seen on tiles. It is caused by water penetration, specifically when the minerals in water crystallize on the tile's surface. It's an indication of failed/cracked grout joints or possible leaks in your ceiling, walls or floors.
White vinegar is on our list of "stain busters," but other vinegars, such as red wine vinegar and balsamic vinegar, have dyes, additives, and so on that can cause stains. Remember, however, that white vinegar is acidic. If you splash it on your clothing, carpet, or upholstery, don't leave it there undiluted.
Vinegar is an outstanding non-toxic cleaner, but it is not perfect for every type of surface. If you have natural stone tiles (like travertine), it's better to stay away from vinegar. It could easily remove the sealants and even discolor or etch the stone!
Over time, vinegar will deteriorate the condition of the grout by etching or wearing it away. If, however, you have sealed your grout on a regular basis, the vinegar won't be an issue. Check your grout yearly to see if it is time to seal the tile again, and use a recommended tile cleaner.
Once you spray the tile surface with vinegar cleaning solution, allow the solution to penetrate the grime on the tile. Let the solution sit on the tile for 1-5 minutes, depending on the level of grime you need to remove. Rinse with water.
Whilst the right solution is a completely safe, natural, and vegan-friendly cleaner for your floors, you do have to be careful with how you use it. This is because too much exposure to strong vinegar could strip away the finish on your porcelain.
When it comes to cleaning stone, concrete, and ceramic tile floors, leave the vinegar under the sink. Just like with stone countertops, the acid in vinegar will strip away the protective sealant from stone tiles, making them look dull and leaving the surface vulnerable to etching and pitting.
Do not use cleaning products that contain acids or ammonia (and other harsh chemicals) as these can damage grout and glazed surfaces of the tile. Choose products that are compatible with your grout to avoid damage or discoloration of the grout. Always dry your porcelain thoroughly after cleaning.
Moisture can attract more dust as well as bacteria. In addition to moisture, you also should be thinking about dirt and spills because this will affect discoloration over time. If you are dealing with discoloration, make sure you invest in tile cleaning services as this will make them look like new.
Moisture: If moisture is allowed to linger on the tile surface for an extended period, it can cause discoloration .
This salt deposit is called efflorescence. Normally, these residues can be washed away with a very mild acid solution and a bristle brush while being careful not to harm the stone (always test first to be certain the acid will not alter the existing finish).
Although ceramic tiles with more porous bodies can also show discoloration. The floor tiles are more likely to show discoloration than tiles on walls, but you can get discoloration on walls particularly where the wall tile meets the floor tile.
Vinegar – for old rust stains pour some white vinegar directly onto the stain and leave it to soak for an hour or two. Pour some table salt over the stain and use a soft brush or old toothbrush to rub the affected area. The rust should lift right off.
Use Vinegar
Vinegar is one of the most useful kitchen ingredients you can use to remove hard water stains from bathroom tiles. The all-purpose cleaner is mildly acidic in nature and perfect for removing stains from your bathroom. White vinegar also prevents the growth of germs, mold, and mildew in the bathroom.
Marble, granite, and other natural stones, like slate, whether used as home finishes, such as countertops, floors, and shower walls, or household goods like tabletops or serving pieces, should not be cleaned with vinegar.
Maybe vinegar is acidic enough to act as a sanitizer, but hydrogen peroxide is better at killing bacteria, fungus, and viruses. To disinfect a surface, you can use a 50/50 hydrogen peroxide and water solution. Spray it on a clean surface and let it sit for at least 5 minutes.