Buzz
Tiles are one of the most durable and aesthetically appealing materials for surface flooring in construction, but occasional maintenance is still required. If the tile surface begins to show signs of mold or stains caused by water splashes, you can easily scrub them clean, restoring the tiles to their original appearance with just a bit of effort and common cleaning chemicals. Tiles are a tough and resilient material.
Steps
Pressure Washing
Rent a pressure washer to tackle stubborn stains. Be cautious not to "cut" into the grout lines or tile surfaces when using this method.
Gather all the materials before you start the task. You will need a bucket of water, bleach, a scrubbing brush, a water spray nozzle, or a pressure washer.
Mix a solution of half bleach and half water.
Use a spray bottle or a brush to apply the solution onto the tiles.
Wet the tiles in each area for easier treatment.
Scrub before the tiles dry.
Rinse again. Now the tiles are spotless.
Use hands and spray nozzle
Identify the type of stain or dirt that requires treatment. Stains caused by mold or algae require different methods and chemicals compared to rust or cement and grout residue on the tiles.
Clean the tiles with bleach if the stain is caused by mold.
- Mix bleach and water in equal parts in a large bucket.
- Pour the solution into a garden sprayer and spray it.
- Wet a section of the wall (or floor if cleaning outdoor tiles) with a spray nozzle.
- Spray the bleach solution onto the surface to be cleaned from top to bottom, ensuring it's thoroughly soaked.
- Wait for the bleach solution to react with the stains for a few minutes, but avoid letting it sit too long as the surface starts to dry.
- Test a small section of the surface to see if the solution works as expected.
- For stubborn stains, use undiluted bleach to scrub with a long-handled acid-resistant brush.
- Rinse the area thoroughly with water. Be sure not to let the bleach solution dry on the surface before rinsing.
Use an acid solution to clean stains from mortar, rust from well water, or dirt that bleach couldn't remove.
- Buy an acid-based cleaner for masonry or hydrochloric acid from hardware or home goods stores. (Read all warnings carefully before purchasing or using any acid solution.)
- Fill a plastic bucket two-thirds full with clean water. Add acid to the water in a ratio of 1 part acid to 3 parts water. Don't fill the bucket too full to prevent spillage.
- Wet the wall or surfaces to be treated with a garden hose or spray nozzle.
- Scrub the surface with the diluted acid solution, using a brush designed for acid cleaning.
- Wait around 10-15 minutes for the acid to take effect after scrubbing the surface, being careful not to let it dry.
- Rinse thoroughly with water after waiting the necessary time for the solution to work.
Clean thoroughly all surfaces that come into contact with cleaning solutions, using plenty of water to dilute the mixture and prevent damage to surfaces or plants.
Consider sealing the tiles to prevent dirt, sand, or stains from accumulating. Use siloxane or silicone adhesive as directed by the manufacturer.
Advice
- Wear old clothes, rubber gloves, and safety glasses when handling the cleaning solutions mentioned above.
- Work on calm days to avoid spraying unwanted areas.
- Try to work in shaded areas or on cooler wall surfaces when possible.
Warning
- Avoid letting chemicals come into contact with skin when using bleach or acid solutions, even when diluted.
- Refrain from inhaling fumes from cleaning solutions.
- Never mix acid and bleach while scrubbing.
- Wear protective goggles.
- The Brick Industry Association strongly advises against using hydrochloric acid without a buffering solution to clean bricks, due to the risk of damaging the mortar joints. This method is also difficult to clean completely from masonry surfaces and can cause lasting damage. Adding water to hydrochloric acid doesn't resolve the issue. However, specialized masonry cleaners, even when using buffered acid, “are safer, easier to use, and more environmentally friendly.”
What You Will Need
- Long-handled acid brush
- Rubber gloves
- Hydrochloric acid (HCl)
- Chlorine bleach
- Garden hose
- Protective goggles
- Optional: Pressure washer
