Prices, Promotions, styles, and availability may vary. Our local stores do not honor online pricing. Prices and availability of products and services are subject to change without notice. Errors will be corrected where discovered, and Lowe's reserves the right to revoke any stated offer and to correct any errors, inaccuracies or omissions including after an order has been submitted.

How to Clean Tile Flooring

Rachael Provost

By Rachael Provost
Updated February 19, 2025

Cleaning a dirty tile floor can feel like a real chore. Follow these tips and tricks to keep your tile floors and grout looking shiny and pristine.

Skill

Beginner

Time

Few Hours

A woman using a blue and white mop to clean a white tile kitchen floor.

Tools and Materials

Note

Product costs, availability and item numbers may vary online or by market.

What's the Best Way to Clean Tile Floors?

A person wearing a blue glove and scrubbing white hexagon tiles with a blue sponge.

Tile floors collect dirt and grime. Over time, they can even look hazy and the grout can darken. But it's important to know what your tile floors are made of so that you can properly clean them. Ceramic and porcelain tiles are generally low-maintenance, while stone floors are porous and require more specialized care.

We'll give you step-by-step instructions for cleaning ceramic tile, porcelain tile, vinyl tile, as well as stone tile like marble, slate or granite.

How to Clean Porcelain or Ceramic Tile

A kitchen with brown wood-look porcelain tile floor, a gray island and wood and metal bar stools.

Follow these steps to clean porcelain or ceramic tile.

Instructions

How to Clean Vinyl Tile

A bathroom with black and white vinyl tile, a white freestanding tub and a chrome tub faucet.

Follow these steps to clean vinyl tile.

Instructions

How to Clean Stone Tile

An entryway with black, white and gray marble tile, a black console table and a silver lamp.

Follow these steps to clean stone tile, such as granite, slate or marble.

Instructions

How to Clean Grout

A person wearing a blue glove and using a scrub brush to clean grout on a tile floor.

Follow these steps to clean the grout on your tile floors.

Instructions

How to Deep Clean Tile Flooring

Regular cleaning with a vacuum and the best mop for tile flooring keeps your floors looking great but giving them a deep clean every now and then is an important step in their maintenance and for your peace of mind. Handheld and multipurpose steam cleaners can naturally clean and sanitize surfaces. Steam mops can do the same, though these machines are generally dedicated floor cleaners only. If you need something with more cleaning versatility, a steam cleaner with attachments is the best choice.

Below are general instructions for using a steam cleaner to deep clean your tile floors.

Need to Know

Steam mops and cleaners can be used on sealed ceramic, porcelain or natural stone. Do not use on vinyl or unsealed ceramic. If you're unsure, check with the tile manufacturer for care instructions.

Instructions

How Do You Deep Clean Bathroom Tiles

For steam cleaning tile and grout in a bathroom, you'll want to use a floor steam cleaner for tile. A steam cleaner for tile grout helps you feel better about the cleanliness of the grooves between the tiles — especially in a bathroom setting. Look for models with attachments to easily tackle those grout lines. You can also use the attachments to get into crevices and hard to reach areas like corners and shower tracks.

Good to Know

Some steam cleaners can do more than sanitize your floors. Explore other ways to use a steam cleaner around your home in our article, How to Use a Steam Cleaner.

Related Tags: