cleaning tiled floor

[rick]

Have a kitchen with a ceramic tiled floor ... this week too out all the kitchen units, in readiness for new kitchen. The difference between tiles under units and those not - is significant. Obviously a combination of foot traffic, kitchen spillages over 15 years has made its mark. Any recommendation for a cleaning product to return tiles to something like original condition. Tried a grout cleaner (type you use after laying tiles) cleaned a bit but not much. Tried white vinegar.

[Thomas Prufer]

Alkaline floor cleaner. Caustic contents, removes worn-in greasy grime with little scrubbing...

Thomas Prufer

[tabbypurr]

Bleach or Jeyes fluid, or if it's cooking grease, ammonia or caustic.

NT

[Martin Brown]

But wear butyl gloves and eye protection, preferably a face shield.

The stuff sold as oven cleaner may be close enough to work. Again be very careful - it is capable of inflicted very serious chemical burns on exposed skin or blindness if used carelessly. Try it on a small patch.

Left on too long aggressive alkaline cleaners can damage glazed tiles.

[Clive Arthur]

Try washing soda before you get too medieval on its arse.

Cheers

[The Natural Philosopher]

Bleach and a scrubbing brush. And huge amounts of elbow grease

Use gloves and a knee pad

Then a squeege mop and lots of water.

open the windows.

[Chris Hogg]

I'd try standard bathroom 'cream cleaner' first, as used on baths and hand basins, before moving up to more aggressive cleaners if that doesn't work.

[tabbypurr]

WS really relies on heat to work

[harry]

Depends on the tiles. The old quarry tiles are the same material through and through. Cheap modern tiles are glazed, when the glaze wears off muck gets into the material below depending on porousity. You can buy stuff to apply to the tiles once cleaned to prevent/reduce this. Doesn't last as long as the g;aze though.

[Brian Reay]

Ceramic Tiles covers a whole range of finishes and materials- glazed, unglazed, porous etc. Some even have a waxy finish, at least when first laid etc. ( or should have). The first task is to decide what you have, then you can research the best methods.

Having said that, I?d tackle any particular stains first- perhaps where things have been spilled over the years, before tackling the overall area.

If they are porous, I?d reseal them. Again how/ what with depends on the material.

I assume they are quality tiles you want to preserve, the last thing you want is to make things worse.

[alan_m]

As recommended previously on this news group

HG extreme power cleaner