Cooking splatters and grease can quickly dull kitchen tiles and grouting, but there’s an easy way to get them sparkling again. The good news is that tile, particularly the ceramic and porcelain tile popular in these rooms, can be easy to clean. Keep some of the following tips in mind when it comes to cleaning floor and wall tiles to help restore your home to a clean and shiny state.
* Ammonia- Wax buildup on resilient flooring causes it to yellow in time. Remove old wax layers and freshen up your floor by washing it with a mixture of 1 cup ammonia in 1/2 gallon (2 liters) water. Let the solution sit for three to five minutes, then scrub with a nylon or plastic scouring pad to remove the old wax. Wipe away leftover residue with a clean cloth or sponge, then give the floor a thorough rinsing.
* Pencil Erasers- Those new shoes of your husband’s have left black streak marks all over the kitchen floor. An eraser will take them off in no time. Give him the eraser and have him do it.
* Steel WoolThose black marks that rubber soles leave behind just don’t come off with a mop, no matter how long you try. To rid a vinyl floor of unsightly smudges, gently rub the surface with a moistened steel wool soap pad. When the heel mark is gone, wipe the floor clean with a damp sponge.
* TeaFreshly brewed tea is great for cleaning wood furniture and floors. Just boil a couple of tea bags in a quart (liter) of water and let it cool. Dip a soft cloth in the tea, wring out the excess, and use it to wipe away dirt and grime. Buff dry with a clean, soft cloth.
* VinegarIf soap scum or water spots have dulled the ceramic tiles around your sink or bath, bring back the brightness by scrubbing them with 1/2 cup white vinegar, 1/2 cup ammonia, and 1/4 cup borax mixed in 1 gallon (3.7 liters) warm water. Rinse well with cool water and let air-dry.