The bathroom floor can be a host to a lot of harmful germs and bacteria. This includes a variety of different microorganisms that can cause minor allergies to common health-related issues such as cough, cold and the flu. With the constant accumulation of all this dirt, grime and bacteria in the bathroom floor, it can be worrying for children and adults alike every time they step inside the bathroom. That’s why getting your bathroom floor and tiles back to their original sparkle and shine is very important.
Since cleaning the bathroom floor and tiles is part of the overall bathroom cleaning routine, you can definitely insert the task while sprucing up the area and its fixtures. Bathroom floors and tiles are often dreaded and can be quite the challenge to clean and tidy up, but there are a lot of ways that you can do to make the whole cleansing process easier and more efficient! In this article, we’ll fill you in on the step-by-step guide of cleaning your bathroom floor and tiles — and the essential tips that you can consider to make your entire experience a pleasant and enjoyable one.
How to Clean Your Bathroom Floor: A Step-by-Step Guide
- Clear the bathroom floor of any loose objects - Before you start tidying up the floor, you need to sort out the clutter first and make sure that the area is completely rid of any single item. You need to get full access to the space by moving the bathroom mat, toilet brush, laundry basket and trash bin outside of the bathroom. If you have children, be on the lookout for toys and other little objects. Eliminating these objects will give you ample space and the freedom to clean the floor area thoroughly.
- Sweep the floor and clean the area by removing dust - In addition to clearing the bathroom floor area, you need to sweep it clean by removing any trace of dust or dirt. Like with any home maintenance ritual, getting rid of dust will ensure that the surface you’re paying attention to is stripped bare of any blemishes. You can use a broom or a vacuum cleaner for this step. Once done, check for any additional debris of dirt that you may have missed and do another sweep or vacuum for another time to completely clear the area. Doing this will allow you to work faster and focus on what’s important — restoring your bathroom floor to its shiny and sparkly form.
- Clean and wash the bathroom floor - Now that you’ve finally removed any excess dirt from the floor, it’s time to mop and wash it clean. Fill a bucket with warm water and add in a bathroom cleaner to the mix. Make sure that the cleaner is safe for your bathroom flooring to avoid chipping or discoloration. Alternatively, you can also go the natural route by adding a cup of white vinegar to the solution. Once mixed, use a mop to clean the entire flooring and repeatedly go through each and every corner until you are able to see a noticeable difference.
- Rinse the floor with clean water - After you’re done cleansing, give your flooring a nice and thorough rinse by splashing it with clean water. Remove excess water by using a squeegee to absorb any remaining liquid. If you don’t have a squeegee, you can still use your mop but only keep it slightly wet to keep water at a minimum. Another good and alternative option is a spinning mop since it can wring out and replace water fast.
- Leave the floor to dry - When you’re done mopping the area, you need to leave ample time for it to fully dry to avoid any growth of mold or mildew. Since the floor area always gets wet, it is more susceptible to host these fungi more than any place in your house. As such, you need to stay ahead by keeping the floor dry. You can use a clean or used towel or cloth to wipe the floor afterwards. Additionally, you need to also pay close attention to different corners and tile grout lines as they are also prone to these things.
The Different Ways to Remove Bathroom Floor Stains
Now that you have a basic understanding of the usual process for tidying up bathroom floors, it’s time to delve into the specifics of removing floor stains. Since there are a lot of ways to remove these pesky and dirty marks, we’ve compiled a comprehensive list of the different cleaning items and ingredients that you can turn to when faced with such dilemma:
- Use natural ingredients in place of chemical acidic cleaners - Too much use of chemical cleaners may lead to skin irritation or respiratory problems, that’s why some people like to use all-natural ingredients to clean their bathroom floors. If you’re also thinking of going natural, you can use natural cleaners such as vinegar and lemon juice. Vinegar is highly effective at removing greasy stains, deodorizing and disinfecting surfaces. To create your own natural solution, mix equal parts water and vinegar in a spray bottle and mix thoroughly. Simply spritz the solution onto a stain and scrub it gently with a sponge. Lemon juice, on the other hand, contains natural ingredients that can also remove rust stains and improve the appearance of spots and grout on the tiles. To create your own lemon solution cleaner, just cut a lemon in half and coat both sides with salt. Sprinkle some more salt on the stained area and scrub it by using one lemon half. Make sure to gently squeeze the lemon to release its extracts over the stained area. Once done, rinse and wipe the floor or tile.
- The power solution of bleach - Oftentimes the only way to fully remove a stain is by turning to a powerful bleach solution. To create one, simply combine water and bleach at a ratio of 3:1. Apply the solution directly onto the stain, leave it for about one or two minutes, and then scrub it using a sponge or brush. Afterwards, rinse the floor or tiles with water and wipe with a clean cloth to dry. Alternatively, you can also use ammonia to treat and remove stains. Just get an ammonia solution and mix a quarter cup in a gallon of water. Apply it to the stained area and scrub it with a brush or sponge. Rinse well with water and wipe with a clean cloth to dry.
- Deep clean with a steam cleaner - When you need to deep clean your flooring area, a steam cleaner is a good choice as it can blast high-temperature steam that can weaken the stains, making it easier to come off and be removed with little to no effort. If you happen to have one at your disposal, simply fill up the cleaner’s steam tank with water and turn it on to heat up. Afterwards, you can aim the nozzle to different corners for a thorough and effective cleaning.
The Essential Cleaning Ingredients When Removing Grout Stains
To make your flooring shine and sparkle, you need to remove grout stains from your tiles. Although the idea of cleaning tiles and grout can be unpleasant, using these three commonly used cleaning ingredients can make the whole experience faster, more organized and more bearable.
- Bleach - For white or light-colored grout in your lavatory flooring, you need to use bleach to remove the stains. Simply use a sponge or stiff-bristled brush and dip it in the bleach solution. Afterwards, scrub the grout lines thoroughly and rinse them afterwards with a dampened cloth. It is important that you do this while leaving the window and doors open to release the chemicals and fumes and prevent yourself from inhaling much of it.
- Baking soda - To create a baking soda paste, combine the baking soda with water and apply it to the stained area and leave it for about one minute. Then use a hard-bristled brush to scrub away the paste into the grout lines. Wipe and rise using a cloth or clean sponge. This is a more natural way to remove grout grime.
- Vinegar and Salt - To create a vinegar and salt mix, just combine the two ingredients in a bucket filled with a hot cup of water. Add in one cup of salt and two tablespoons of liquid dish soap and mix the solution well. Once the two ingredients have been mixed well with the dish soap, soak a clean sponge into the solution and wipe it on the stained area of the grout lines. Leave it on for 10 minutes then rinse with a clean sponge and a bit of water.
Helpful Tips When Cleaning Your Bathroom Flooring
- Reserve the floor as your last cleaning task when cleaning the lavatory - Since tidying up the floor area is usually done during general lavatory cleaning, try to reserve it as your last task. You want to do this in order to avoid additional spillage or dirt on the floor while cleaning other fixtures in the area.
- Clean the floors thoroughly by inspecting and getting into every corner - To clean every nook and cranny of the floor area, use small brushes or a cotton ball. Since this is where dirt and bacteria usually form and stay, it’s best to always keep it clean to prevent them from multiplying.
- Keep the floors dry at all times - By keeping the floor dry most of the time, you’re preventing mold or fungi from forming so it is recommended to always wipe your floor area with a used cloth after every use. Additionally, forming this habit can also keep you and your family from falling into freak accidents such as slipping on the tiles.
Keep a Clean Bathroom For Your Home With Homefresh
Keeping your flooring clean at all times is very important for you and your family’s hygiene and wellness. By constant cleaning and prevention of mold and bacteria, you can greatly reduce the likelihood of getting different health-related issues associated with having a dirty bathroom floor. Cleaning the bathroom floor can be the most dreaded task of the week for most homeowners, but it doesn’t always have to be that way. You can plan your cleaning routine ahead of time to make sure that you’re not wasting any time or effort. Alternatively, you can also turn to the help of a trusted home cleaning service provider to do the hard work for you.
Related Article: Your Bathroom Cleaning Checklist
If you need a professional home cleaning service to help you with your flooring and tile cleaning, stain removals or just the full scope of general home maintenance, drop us a call here at Homefresh! Our team of friendly cleaning experts will clean the bathroom and leave no stain untouched and no corner unchecked. Book us now and experience quality home cleaning and service in an instant.
