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.
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.
Vinegar is a multi-purpose cleaner you can use on many types of flooring such as carpet and tile. While vinegar is safe to use on laminate, vinyl, porcelain, and ceramic tile, it is best to use it sparingly since the acid in the vinegar can dissolve the finish on your floor.
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.
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.
Cleaning Grout with Vinegar
Distilled white vinegar is a safe, natural cleaner and disinfectant you can use all around the house. Pour or spray undiluted vinegar onto your grout and let it sit for 10 minutes before using a toothbrush, scrubbing in a circular motion. Next, rinse away the dirt and mildew.
Choose the right floor mop: Clean tile with mild detergent and clean water using a rag or chamois-type mop ($33, Home Depot) rather than a sponge mop. These mops are best for cleaning tile because sponge mops push dirty water into the grout lines, making them harder to clean.
What do professionals use to clean grout? Whether you believe it or not, most professionals use a solution of white vinegar and water with a 1:1 ratio.
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.
After trying different commercial cleaners, we decided to mix one part Dawn dish soap and to two parts white vinegar, which I had on hand, in a bucket and mopped the floor with the soapy mixture. How it actually worked: The combo was a winner and brought the floor (almost) back to its original glory.
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.
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.
The regular use of detergents and other cleaning agents which are excessively acidic or alkaline, and contain an excess of sodium or potassium hydroxide can cause irreversible damage to the tile surface. It is important to note that acidity is less damaging than alkalinity.
The most common and effective homemade grout cleaner is a mixture of baking soda, hydrogen peroxide, and dish soap. Cream or tartar and lemon juice is the best all-natural solution for whitening. Avoid using highly-acidic solutions like vinegar because they can corrode grout.
Remember the tip on avoiding bleach, ammonia, and other harsh chemicals to clean grout. It would be best if you also avoided vigorous scrubbing. A rough brush and too much elbow grease will remove the dirt, but it could also remove the grout.
The easiest way to clean grout without scrubbing involves hydrogen peroxide and baking soda. Mix the two into a paste with some dish soap and apply to the grout lines. Alternatively, you can use a cleaning solution of water, vinegar, lemon juice, and baking soda.
You can also use white vinegar for chemical-free grout cleaning. Simply pour vinegar from the bottle into the cap and pour it over the dirty grout lines. Allow the lemon juice or vinegar to sit for 10 to 15 minutes. Then, scrub with a small brush or old toothbrush.
Use vinegar in porcelain and ceramic shower tiles
Vinegar is perfect for cleaning shower tile and grout! It can dissolve soap scum and hard water stains and work as a mild mold remover and disinfectant!