Routine Cleaning

• Your everyday cleaning routine can be simple when it comes to tile. The best way to clean the tile is by using a sponge or mop with clean warm water. This is usually enough to wipe away fresh grease and food splatters or minor spills. If you feel the job requires a little more muscle, add a small squirt of liquid dish soap to the water for some suds and use it in the same way. This will be a strong enough solution for your everyday cleaning needs. If you decide to use soap, make sure you don't use too much or it could leave a residue or film on the tiles, particularly dark-colored tile. And if you are doing large areas like flooring, always keep your water clean. If it gets cloudy or dirty looking, dump it and refill with fresh, clean water.
  
  

Tile Stains

• If your tile is stained by food that has been left to dry on the kitchen counter or floor, or if someone has spilled a liquid that has left a stain, such as grape juice, don't worry. Tile surfaces clean up easily using one of two common helpers not usually thought of as cleaning agents. Spray some shaving cream on the stain or pour club soda on it. Cover the stain well and let the shaving cream or club soda penetrate the stain for 20 to 30 minutes. After the time has passed, wipe it away with a clean cloth or sponge.
  
  

Steaming

• Steam cleaning machines are not found in every home, but they are useful in many different ways. For tile floors and counter tops, they are difficult to beat for deep cleaning and disinfecting. Use a steam-cleaning device to spray a liberal amount of steam onto the floors. These machines typically come with attachment tools that look like brushes or mops. The steam loosens dirt and grime so it can be lifted easily, and the hot temperatures also destroy bacteria and germs on the surface.
  
  

Cleaning Grout

• The grout between your tiles can be the most difficult part of the tile surface to clean, particularly white grout. If something has discolored your white grout, get it back to the right color by using a mixture of bleach and water to bring it back to its true color. Mix one part bleach to 10 parts water. You may have to strengthen it for tough stains. You'll have to resort to a color grout cleaner if you have colored grout or the bleach will turn it a lighter shade, or try oxygen bleach as opposed to chlorine bleach.