In general, tiles are quite resistant to stains. However, liquids or objects such as blood, chewing gum, oil, ink, and nail polish can leave permanent stains. There are a variety of ways to remove stains from tiles using a variety of products, from soda to hydrogen peroxide. However, some methods are found to be more effective for certain blemishes. Remember to test the stain remover product/material on an inconspicuous part of the tile first to see if the tile exhibits a negative reaction to the chemicals in the selected material/product.
Step
Method 1 of 3: Using Household Cleaning Products
Step 1. Remove the stain with a 3 percent concentration of hydrogen peroxide
Hydrogen peroxide is a powerful cleaning agent, even when diluted. Therefore, use a small amount of hydrogen peroxide to lift the stain. This material is slightly corrosive, so you will need to rinse the tile surface thoroughly with water once the stain is removed.
- If the stain persists, apply a patchwork soaked in hydrogen peroxide to the stain. Leave it for 1-2 hours. After that, remove the cloth and rub the stain. Before using this technique to remove stains from tiles in visible areas, first test hydrogen peroxide on hidden areas of the tile to make sure the material doesn't damage the tiles.
- Hydrogen peroxide can remove coffee stains, nail polish, and blood on ceramic tiles or finishes.
- Hydrogen peroxide is a bleach-like substance. Therefore, before you use a spray or other cleaning mixture in the kitchen, wipe and rinse the tile thoroughly with water to remove any residual hydrogen peroxide.
Step 2. Dissolve bleach in cold water to remove deep or organic stains
Pour a cap of bleach into a bucket of cold water (4 liters) and stir. After that, use a white washcloth to lift and rub the stain on the tile. If the mixture isn't strong enough, add another 1 cap of bleach and try lifting the stain again. However, be careful with the amount of bleach you use as it can leach or damage other items.
- Bleach can remove ink, coffee, juice and blood stains effectively. Basically, stains that are difficult to remove using regular cleaning processes can be removed by bleach.
- Bleach is known to react with other cleaning agents/mixtures, especially ammonia-based products. Make sure the tile is thoroughly rinsed and no bleach remains, and dry the cleaned tile/area for a few hours before you apply another cleaning mixture/product around the cleaned area.
Step 3. Use scouring powder to remove the liquid stain from the tile
Wet the stain with a little water, then sprinkle enough scouring powder to cover the stain. Mix the powder with water and let the paste sit on the stain for a few minutes. After that, brush and remove the stain using an abrasive sponge or patchwork.
- The scouring powder can effectively clean the stains that often stick to the floor such as oil/grease, food, and water stains.
- If you need to try another stain removal technique, clean and dry the tile first with water, as some of the chemicals in the powder can react negatively when mixed with other cleaning agents.
Step 4. Mix borax and water to remove stains from tiles
Borax is a fairly popular material for cleaning clothes. Apparently, this material is also effective in cleaning kitchen tiles. Mix 400 grams of borax with 60 ml of water, then dip an abrasive sponge into the mixture. Brush the dirty part of the tile until the stain is lifted. You may need to brush harder for stubborn stains.
- Use borax on glazed tiles such as ceramic, porcelain, or marble.
- Mix 2 tablespoons (50 grams) of borax with 4 liters of water to make a mix/mop that you can use regularly. This way, you can prevent stains from developing on the tiles from the start.
Step 5. Purchase a marble poultice for marble tiles if other cleaning methods don't work
Simply apply the paste/poultry on the stain with a thickness of about 0.5 centimeters, cover the area that has been coated with plastic, and let sit for 1-2 days. Remove the paste and check to see if the stain has lifted.
- Marble tiles have a different structure and material from other tiles. While you can usually use bleach and hydrogen peroxide, marble poultice is an ingredient specifically formulated for cleaning marble tiles.
- Reapply the poultice as needed if the stain hasn't been absorbed, and let it sit for more than a day if the stain has penetrated deeper into the tile.
Method 2 of 3: Using Natural Ingredients
Step 1. Pour the soda over the stain and let it sit to remove the sugar or grease stain
Choose plain (unsweetened) soda as carbonated water alone is enough to lift the stain. Pour enough soda on the stain until it pools, then let it sit and let the soda react for a few minutes. Carbonated soda can remove stains effectively. After that, wipe off the remaining soda and brush the stain with an abrasive sponge.
Soda is most effective for removing oil and grease stains. However, you can also use it to clean up stains and other sugary spills, such as soda spills
Step 2. Use vinegar to clean the stain on the tile grout
Pour vinegar onto an abrasive sponge and rub vigorously on the grout lines to remove any dirt or black spots. However, do not mix vinegar with baking soda or other cleaning agents so that the cleaning chemicals in both ingredients are not damaged/destroyed. If it's still dirty, rinse the grout first with water to remove any excess vinegar before trying other cleaning methods.
- Vinegar is suitable for cleaning grout, and is effective in cleaning ceramic household utensils such as soaking tubs, closets, and sinks. In addition, vinegar can also remove hard water stains.
- Make sure you use strong vinegar to increase its effectiveness in removing stains. Look for strong vinegar products in the cleaning products segment, as cooking vinegar is usually less effective at removing stains.
Step 3. Use a mixture of baking soda and water to clean non-ceramic tiles
Tiles such as ceramic, marble, and other materials with a finish are easy to clean using the other methods described in this article. However, slate or uncoated tiles should be cleaned using a mixture of baking soda and water. Mix baking soda and water in a 3:1 ratio in a bowl, stir until it forms a paste, and scrub the stain with a toothbrush.
- A mixture of baking soda and water is more suitable for cleaning slate tiles because it won't leave a permanent stain that can usually be removed easily on ceramic or painted tiles.
- Baking soda is great for removing small, sticky stains. However, you can also use it to effectively lift larger blemishes with a stronger scrub.
- After cleaning the tiles with baking soda, you will usually see a white glossy finish on the tile coating. To prevent this layer from forming, rinse the tile thoroughly and wipe again 2-3 times using a clean patchwork.
Step 4. Spray lemon juice on the hard water stain on the painted tile
Lemon juice is highly acidic and can easily remove hard water stains from glazed tiles. Simply spritz lemon juice on the stain, or dip a patchwork or sponge in the juice, then rub it over the tile until the stain lifts.
Use lemon juice only on upholstered tiles such as ceramic or porcelain. Never use lemon juice on stone or slate tiles as the acid content of lemons can leave stains that cannot be removed from the tile surface
Method 3 of 3: Using Ice to Remove Sticky Stains
Step 1. Fill a plastic bag with ice and place it over the wax, gum, or tar stain
Prepare a sealed plastic bag the size of the stain to fill with ice. Usually, small stains only require a plastic bag the size of a sandwich. However, you may need to use a plastic freezer bag to completely cover large stains. Freeze the ice early on so you can fill the plastic bag quickly and lift the stain off the tile immediately.
- This method should only be followed for stains that are sticky and elastic, including tar, wax, and glue stains as they can harden the stain and make it easier to lift or scrape off. Do not freeze liquid stains. Otherwise, you will be disappointed by the ineffectiveness of this method.
- Liquid nitrogen has been shown to be effective in removing sticky rubber stains, but its use is difficult to manage and can cause damage to tiles. Therefore, do not use liquid nitrogen.
Step 2. Scrape the stain with a stick or wooden stick after it hardens
Remove the ice pack after leaving it on the stain for about -1 hour, and check to see if the stain has hardened. If so, take a stick/stick (eg popsicle stick) and pry up the stain. Don't worry if you can't remove the entire stain right away. Simply pry and lift as much of the hardened stain off the floor as possible.
Do not use metal or ceramic sticks/sticks as they can scratch the surface of the tile and cause other problems. For the same reason, it is also recommended that you use a wooden spatula when cooking with metal pots/pans
Step 3. Remove the remaining stain using paint thinner
Pour a small amount of thinner on the patchwork to remove any remaining stains from the tile surface. Stains may be removed more effectively when you use an abrasive sponge. However, make sure you buy a sponge that is designed according to the material/tile material. Also, do not use steel wool to brush the tiles.
- You can buy paint thinner from a hobby supply or hardware store.
- If the stain persists, re-apply the ice pack to the stain for 1 hour and try to scrape off the stain. Keep in mind that rubber, wax, or tar that is exposed to heat will again feel sticky.
Tips
Some stain removal methods are more effective than others. Don't be discouraged if the methods you've tried don't work. Make sure you clean and rinse the treated area with the cleaning powder or mixture thoroughly first before trying other methods
Warning
- Wear gloves when using hydrogen peroxide and bleach to prevent skin damage. Even bleach and diluted hydrogen peroxide can still trigger dry skin. If these two ingredients get under your nails and you accidentally bite your nails, you are at risk of poisoning.
- If you accidentally inhale a chemical or the product used gets into your eyes or nose, contact your doctor/emergency services immediately and rinse the affected body part with water for at least 10 minutes.
