How to Clean Tile Countertops (8 Simple Steps)
Do you have tile countertops? If so, it’s important to learn how to maintain them properly. It takes a little work, especially if you have grout stains. But it’s not difficult. In fact, you probably have everything you need to clean tile countertops in your home right now.
Here’s a quick step-by-step guide on how to clean tile countertops with a simple home cleaning solution.
Take a look at the video below to see it in action.
Table of Contents
What You Need
- Baking soda
- Vinegar
- Dish soap
- Old toothbrush or scrub brush
- Microfiber cloth or paper towel
- Small bowl or container
1. Mix two parts water with one part baking soda in a small bowl to make a strong household cleaner.
You can also flip this ratio and mix two parts baking soda and one part water. You’ll be left with a more pasty consistency. Either mixture works great to tackle stains on your tile.
2. For extra grease-cutting power, squirt a few drops of dish soap into the paste and mix it together.
3. Lightly pour white vinegar onto the tile.
4. Lightly pour the baking soda mixture onto the tile.
5. Let it sit for three to five minutes.
6. Scrub in between the tiles with your old toothbrush or scrub brush. Scrub any tough stains on the tiles as well.
In most cases, your tiles won’t be as dirty as the grout. Hot soap and water or a kitchen degreaser will likely do the job to keep your tiles clean.
7. Wipe off the tile with a microfiber cloth or paper towel. Be sure to remove all the baking soda residue.
8. Repeat this process to remove difficult stains.
That’s all you need to do to clean your tile countertops. If difficult stains aren’t dissolving, you can let the cleaning solution soak for longer than five minutes. You can also do some additional scrubbing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to seal grout?
Yes, sealing grout increases the longevity of your tile floors and countertops. It makes them highly resistant to dirt and stains. The sealant also secures the tiles in place so they don’t come loose over time.
After installation, wait two to three days before applying grout sealant. This allows the grout to cure. Every two to three years after the first application, seal your grout to increase its lifespan.
Here is a short video on how to seal grout efficiently. You can find quality grout sealants on Amazon.
Can I use bleach on tile and grout?
It’s not recommended to use bleach on tile and grout. Some websites say it’s OK to use, but it’s important to know about the risks. On completely white tile and grout, you run the least risk of damaging your tile. The best practice is to dilute your bleach with water. One tablespoon per cup of bleach works well.
If you have colored tile or veined tile, avoid cleaning tile countertops with bleach. Homemade cleaners like baking soda and vinegar or a kitchen degreaser are much safer alternatives. Hydrogen peroxide is a good alternative to bleach as well.
When cleaning tile countertops with bleach, make sure you open a window or door for adequate ventilation. The fumes can be quite strong and irritate the lungs.
Never use full-strength bleach to clean tile and grout as you risk damaging it.
Is it OK to use bleach on natural stone?
Bleach can discolor natural stones such as marble, slate, granite, travertine, and the like. Bleach can even break down the sealants on the most durable natural stones like granite. Once it wears down the sealant, it will eventually ruin the surface.
How can I make my tile countertops shine?
Vinegar and water is a great homemade cleaning solution to make countertops shine. Add one tablespoon of vinegar to every cup of water. Pour it into a spray bottle and spray your countertop. Wipe it clean with a microfiber cloth for a beautiful shine.
How do you maintain a tile countertop?
After using your kitchen, wipe the countertop with dish soap and water or a kitchen degreaser. To tackle tough grout stains, make a baking soda paste using two parts baking soda and one part water. Spread it on the countertop and add some white vinegar to break down the stain.
Are tile countertops outdated?
No, ceramic and porcelain countertops are still quite popular today. Ceramic is not quite as expensive as porcelain tile but it is also less durable. Aside from tile, marble is a popular high-end choice in modern kitchens.
Are tiles good for kitchen countertops?
Yes, porcelain tile is one of the most durable options for kitchen countertops. Tiles are heat and water-resistant but can chip. Tile countertops are quite easy to clean. Baking soda and vinegar or a kitchen degreaser work well. But, they are not as popular as ceramic, quartz, or granite.
Are tile countertops sanitary?
If you don’t clean your tile countertops consistently, dirt, food, and bacteria can build up on the surface. Clean your tile countertops after each use with a kitchen degreaser or soap and water. If you notice any grout stains, make a baking soda paste with two parts baking soda and one part water. Apply it to your tile and pour vinegar over the solution to tackle tough stains.
Can you use subway tiles for countertops?
Yes, but subway tile is most popular as a backsplash material, paired with granite, quartz, or marble countertops. Tile grout can be a hassle to clean which is one reason homeowners prefer other materials for high-traffic areas of their kitchen.
That’s all for our post on how to clean tile countertops. Remember to avoid bleach, especially if you have colored tile or grout. Home remedies are much easier to clean with and you don’t run the risk of staining your clothes or irritating your lungs.
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Do I need to seal grout?
Yes, sealing grout increases the longevity of your tile floors and countertops. It makes them highly resistant to dirt and stains. The sealant also secures the tiles in place so they don’t come loose over time.
Can I use bleach on tile and grout?
It’s not recommended to use bleach on tile and grout. Some websites say it’s OK to use, but it’s important to know about the risks. On completely white tile and grout, you run the least risk of damaging your tile. The best practice is to dilute your bleach with water. One tablespoon per cup of bleach works well.
Is it OK to use bleach on natural stone?
Bleach can discolor natural stones such as marble, slate, granite, travertine, and the like. Bleach can even break down the sealants on the most durable natural stones like granite. Once it wears down the sealant, it will eventually ruin the surface.
How can I make my tile countertops shine?
Vinegar and water is a great homemade cleaning solution to make countertops shine. Add one tablespoon of vinegar to every cup of water. Pour it into a spray bottle and spray your countertop. Wipe it clean with a microfiber cloth for a beautiful shine.
How do you maintain a tile countertop?
After using your kitchen, wipe the countertop with dish soap and water or a kitchen degreaser. To tackle tough grout stains, make a baking soda paste using two parts baking soda and one part water. Spread it on the countertop and add some white vinegar to break down the stain.
Are tile countertops outdated?
No, ceramic and porcelain countertops are still quite popular today. Ceramic is not quite as expensive as porcelain tile but it is also less durable. Aside from tile, marble is a popular high-end choice in modern kitchens.
Are tiles good for kitchen countertops?
Yes, porcelain tile is one of the most durable options for kitchen countertops. Tiles are heat and water-resistant but can chip. Tile countertops are quite easy to clean. Baking soda and vinegar or a kitchen degreaser work well. But, they are not as popular as ceramic, quartz, or granite.
Are tile countertops sanitary?
If you don’t clean your tile countertops consistently, dirt, food, and bacteria can build up on the surface. Clean your tile countertops after each use with a kitchen degreaser or soap and water. If you notice any grout stains, make a baking soda paste with two parts baking soda and one part water. Apply it to your tile and pour vinegar over the solution to tackle tough stains.
Can you use subway tiles for countertops?
Yes, but subway tile is most popular as a backsplash material, paired with granite, quartz, or marble countertops. Tile grout can be a hassle to clean which is one reason homeowners prefer other materials for high-traffic areas of their kitchen.
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