Oh, no! You spilled food on the ceramic tiles in your dining or living room. You take a broom and collect the remains. One of your dear housemates gives you a cloth soaked in water, and you try to clean the stains from your favorite tiles as soon as possible.
You quickly faced the problem and solved it in the best possible way. The tiles are clean again, and there is no visible dirt. However, the moment before you get up from the floor where you collected food and cleaned, your gaze falls on the other parts of the tiles, and your sharp eye cannot miss the obvious: the tile floor is not clean at all. Different from the way you would like!
You have realized that your tile floor needs a thorough cleaning and restoration to its good old brightness. You want it to shine again. So, you quickly go to your computer, sit down, open your favorite browser, and enter the magic words: How to make tile floors shine.
You came across this website in the endless ocean of solutions offered on the Internet! You are very lucky! This is the right place to find a concrete and quick answer to your question.
Let's look at six simple solutions available to everyone and don’t require expert skills!
6 Simple Solutions to Make Your Tile Floors Shine Again
Regular Cleaning
Take a little time each day to clean your tiles. This will save you hours of cleaning time in the long run. For regular cleaning, you don't need to use chemicals or cleaning agents. All you need is a broom, a bucket of water, and a regular mop. Vacuum cleaning can be helpful, too.
Expert tip: Removing stains is easy if you clean them promptly. However, if stains are hard to remove, do not try harsh chemicals or metal brushes. Instead, seek professional help.
Vinegar
Try this homemade vinegar cleaner for your tiles: Add ½ cup of white vinegar to a bucket of water and mix well. Dip the mop in the solution, wring it well, and start cleaning.
A natural cleaning agent, vinegar helps remove stains and leaves your tiles shining.
Expert tip: Vinegar's pH level is between 2 and 3. Pay close attention, for it may not be suitable for certain types of tiles, such as natural stone or marble tiles.
Baking Soda
Add baking soda and white vinegar (1:1) to a bucket of warm water. Next, mix well with a tablespoon of any liquid dishwasher (such as Dawn Ultra Dishwashing Liquid, Palmolive Ultra Strength Dish Soap, Seventh Generation Dish Liquid, etc.).
You can add any essential oil for a pleasant fragrance, such as lavender, lemon, peppermint, and other popular aromas.
Expert tip: Avoid using stiff brushes or scrubbing materials on your tiles. Instead, use a soft sponge or brush.
Ammonia
Ammonia (a commonly used cleaning agent in household and industrial products) is an effective floor cleaner and can remove mildew from tiles.
Mix a few drops with warm water and use the solution to mop the floor. If there are hard stains, take a sponge, dip in the liquid, and scrub on the stains.
Expert tip: Open the doors and windows in your living space when using ammonia due to its strong odor and potential for respiratory irritation. Also, wear hand gloves when you are handling the ammonia solution.
Cleaning the Grout
If you pay attention to the grout, tile cleaning is complete. When the grout looks clean, the tiles also look good.
Instead of harmful cleaners, try a DIY cleaning solution for tile grout. A paste of baking soda, water, or hydrogen peroxide mixed with water works great for tile grout. Use a gentle toothbrush to scrub the grout and remove stains.
Expert tip: After installation of the tiles, use a grout sealer to maintain and protect the tiles and grout. You should also check the sealing at least twice a year but talk to professionals before doing so.
Sealing
High-gloss tile sealer (such as the highly recommended StoneTech BulletProof Sealer, Miracle Sealants 511 Impregnator, and Aqua Mix Sealer’s Choice Gold) is a water-based product specifically designed to add a glossy finish to tiles.
While it is undeniably the most expensive option compared to the rest in the list above, it offers the best results without harming your family or your patrons.
Expert tip: Before application, make sure the surface is arid, clean, and free from debris.
Apply the product thinly and evenly with a low-pressure sprayer, microfibre mop, paintbrush, or soft cloth, taking care not to leave application marks or allow the product to puddle on the surface.
Allow 45-60 minutes for drying before applying the second coat. Repeat the same process and apply the product in the opposite direction to help achieve an even, consistent finish. If necessary, more coats can be applied to achieve the desired finish.
What Floor Tile Polishes Provide a Crystal-Clear Shine?
You tried our six simple solutions, and your floor is now clean and shiny. However, it still lacks that enchanting crystal-clear glow. Is there anything you can do?
There are several types of agents that can achieve that crystal shine you are yearning for. The choice of the best agent depends on the kind of tiles, the degree of contamination, and the desired result. We provide you with two best options:
Crystal waxes refer to specialized wax products that provide a high-gloss, protective finish on various surfaces, such as tiles, stone, and sometimes even wood. These waxes are often used because:
- They create a protective layer that gives a deep shine.
- It is necessary to apply them regularly.
- They can be water or solvent-based.
Some of the best crystal waxes on the market are Weiman Granite & Marble Polish, Trewax Professional Marble and Granite Floor Polish, Rejuvenate Professional High Gloss Stone and Tile Floor Restorer.
Polymers, i.e., polymer-based products commonly used as part of sealers, finishes, and coating, such as acrylic polymers, epoxy polymers, and polyurethane polymers, are good options because they have:
- It is harder coating than wax.
- They provide longer-lasting shine and protection.
- They are often used for commercial spaces.
Miracle Sealants 511 Impregnator and Aqua Mix Sealer's Choice Gold are highly recommended and popular brands.
Therefore, if you want extra shine for your floor tiles, these crystal wax and polymer-based products can help you achieve your desired goal. You can buy them at local stores, online retailers (Amazon, Walmart, Home Depot), warehouse clubs, and manufacturer’s websites.
Tips for Using Polishing Machines at Home
For those who have spacious houses or simply don't have the time and nerves to dedicate themselves to carefully polishing the floors, we recommend buying or renting a polishing machine. It is important to keep in mind the following facts:
- When picking a polishing machine, consider that you need one that fits well and performs well. For household use, choose a lighter, easier-to-handle model, such as the Oreck Commercial ORB550MC Orbiter, Bissell SpinWave Cordless Hard Floor Spin Mop, and Hoover FloorMate Deluxe Hard Floor Cleaner.
- For ceramic or porcelain tiles, begin with a pad that isn't very rough. You can increase the roughness of the pad if needed, but you can't remove scratches that have already been made on the tile!
- While polishing machines work well for big spaces, remember to pay attention to the corners and edges, too. You may have to polish these areas manually.
- After polishing, go over your floors with a clean, slightly wet mop to remove any leftover residue. This final step really improves the overall look.
You can purchase or rent polishing machines at several places: tool rental shops, specialty equipment rental stores, online retailers (websites like Amazon and eBay or specialized sites like Grainger or Northern Tool), local hardware stores, and industrial supply companies (like MSC Industrial Direct or Fastenal).
Concluding Remarks
In the beginning, you asked, "How can I make tile shiny?" We answered: Focus on regular cleaning, use natural cleaning solutions, and take care of grouts. To make them even shinier, seal the tiles with a shiny sealer or use products like crystal waxes or polymers. If you have big areas, a polishing machine can be useful. Now that you have restored the luster, enjoy the beauty!
