Tiles are a popular flooring choice for many offices in Singapore due to their practicality. They’re quite durable and come in a vast array of colours and patterns — perfect for any design style in the workplace. But as great a material as they are, tiles need regular cleaning if you want them to stay spotless all the time. 

While it’s easy to book office cleaning services and have them handle all the work, it doesn’t hurt to learn how to do some basic upkeep on your floor tiles. That being said, here’s a quick guide to help you clean the various tiles your workplace might have. 

Perks of Having Clean Floor Tiles in the Office

But first, why bother keeping your tiles clean? Here are a few incentives to encourage you: 

• Improves Workplace Hygiene - Dirty floors are rife with germs and allergens that pose health risks to your team. Routine floor cleaning sessions will keep those at a minimum. 

• Everyone is Safer - If the floor is left alone with wet or grimy parts, there’s a high chance of accidents happening. This could lead to liabilities for your company. It’s best to deal with any spills and dirt tracks ASAP before they cause trouble. 

• Prolongs The Tile’s Life - Regular floor tile maintenance will help prevent premature wear and tear. It would reduce the need to repair or replace them sooner than expected. 

• Less Need for Deep Cleaning - Caring for your floor tiles reduces the need to have frequent deep cleaning sessions, which would cost more time and money. 

• Professional Appearance - A pristine floor creates a good impression on any office guest. It shows that you value your business’s hygiene standards and are willing to make both staff and visitors feel welcome. 

How to Clean Different Types of Floor Tiles

Floor tiles come in different types of materials, and each of them often requires a different approach to cleaning. Here are some pointers to help you clean them correctly. 

All Tiles Need Sweeping/Vacuuming First 

Before you do anything else to the tiles, you should always sweep or vacuum the dust and debris off them – preferably with a soft brush attachment. This reduces the muddy mess created when you need to mop or wash the surface. 

Ceramic and Porcelain

• When mopping or wiping ceramic tiles, use a pH-neutral ceramic cleaner or mild detergent mixed with water. 

• You may also use vinegar and water for porcelain tiles. 

• Be careful not to oversaturate the surface with your mixture. If you’re using a mop, don’t apply it on the tile while completely soaked in cleaning solution. Instead, do it once it’s just slightly damp. 

Natural Stone

• Like with ceramic tiles, you’ll want to stick to pH-neutral cleaning solutions. Acidic ones, like vinegar, will damage the stone. 

• Use a soft mop or cloth while applying the cleaner. If removing a stain, scrub gently with a sponge. 

• Be sure to completely rinse the cleaning mixture with water and dry the surface thoroughly. 

Vinyl 

• Vinyl can warp if you use too much water, so use it sparingly or use a vinyl-specific cleaning product. 

• Mop in small sections at a time to avoid spreading sludge on the vinyl. 

Don’t Forget the Grout Lines

Tile grout lines also accumulate plenty of dirt and grime over time. You’ll want to scrub them clean regularly as well. After doing so, you can seal the grout lines to prevent moisture from entering and destroying the tiles from underneath. 

Book a Professional for Specialised Floor Maintenance

While it does help if your staff know the basics of cleaning floor tiles, there’s no shame in calling an office cleaning service for help. These cleaning companies already have the tools, cleaning solutions, and training to take care of your floors more efficiently. It doesn’t have to be a one-time deal with them either — many businesses in Singapore have long-term contracts with them so they can keep the workplaces clean year-round. 

Keeping the floor tiles clean may not seem like glamorous work, but it is worth doing for everyone’s sake. Don’t hesitate to work with the experts to give your establishment the deep clean it deserves.