Green Techniques for Tile Cleaning

When it comes time to clean your tile floors it seems like we are always looking for that special cleaning agent to make cleaning more efficient. The problem here is that most tile cleaning agents have some sort of chemical make up that can create toxic residue.

These toxins can be released into the air or even left behind on your tile after cleaning. For people with young children or pets, this isn't exactly creating a safe environment for them to play and walk on.

Lately many companies have been releasing eco-friendly cleaning agents for professional cleaning companies and everyday consumers. The problem is that sometimes these can cost a good deal more than their toxic counterparts. It's not fair to have to pay more for a safe alternative but until the rules of the game change that's just the way it's going to be.

But the news isn't all bad or disappointing. There are cost effective, green alternatives to the traditional chemical cleaners we are all used to. And what's more, most of these alternatives are already in your home.

Using a vacuum cleaner on your tile, just like your carpet, is a quick and easy way to keep dust, dirt, and other loose particles off your floors. Getting these loose particles up on a regular basis will keep them from building up over time and becoming more work for you later. If you have a vacuum cleaner that is made for hard floors, all the better. But if you don't just set your vacuum to the lowest height setting. Regular vacuuming will make the rest of your clean-up efforts much easier.

If you've stuck with your vacuuming routine then mopping should be a breeze. When it comes to mopping you have a few choices as to what you can use. The cheapest, most environmentally safe product you can use is plain water. Water is a universal solvent. This basically means that it can dissolve most compounds. Water, along with a good mop, can be a very effective option for mopping.

If you need a little more cleaning power then try some dish washing soap. Just add a little to your water. When compared to other traditional cleaners dish soap is far less toxic and gentle enough to not harm your tile. If you need to pick up your cleaning power just another notch then try using white vinegar and water. One part vinegar to ten parts water should help you with those stubborn stains. You can increase the vinegar portion if needed. Just keep in mind that you do not want to use vinegar on natural stone tile. Vinegar will etch into natural stone and leave scarring which can cost a pretty penny to fix.

These tile cleaning tips should put a smile on the faces of those who are environmentally conscious. The products used are very eco-friendly and safe for your floors and your family.