You walk into your kitchen or bathroom and notice that the porcelain tiles look a little dull. It happens to all of us. Porcelain tiles are strong, stylish, and one of the easiest floors to keep clean, but only if you know the right way. That’s why many people look for clear steps on how to clean porcelain tile without damaging the surface.

To put it simply, to clean porcelain tile, you have to —

• sweep or vacuum daily, 

• mop with a gentle pH-neutral cleaner, 

• rinse well, 
• and dry with a microfiber cloth to avoid water spots. 

But the full story goes deeper. Polished, unpolished, textured, glazed, and unglazed porcelain tiles each need slightly different care.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through what tools to use, what mistakes to avoid, and even when you might need professional help. Once you know these tricks, your floors will stay shiny and fresh for years.

What Do You Need to Clean Porcelain Floor Tiles?

You don’t need fancy tools. Just keep a few basic cleaning items at home.

• Dust mop or soft broom
• Vacuum cleaner
• Mop and bucket
• Soft-bristled brush or old toothbrush
• Paper towel or microfiber cloth
• Gentle pH-neutral tile cleaner

These simple tools are enough for daily cleaning and even for deeper cleaning when needed.

Can You Use Bleach or Vinegar on Porcelain Tiles?

The short answer is no. Bleach and vinegar are too harsh for porcelain tiles.

Both can wear away the surface, stain the grout, and even cause permanent damage, especially on unglazed tiles. The safest option is a pH-neutral cleaner. 

If you face greasy or stubborn stains, go for a special porcelain cleaner with a pH between 8 and 10.

Types of Porcelain Tile and Why Cleaning is Different

Porcelain tiles are made in different finishes, and each type needs slightly different care.

• Unpolished porcelain: Matte look, less shiny, but stronger against scratches. Needs gentle scrubbing.
• Polished porcelain: Smooth and glossy. Looks elegant, but scratches and stains more easily.
• Textured porcelain: Has grooves and small pits. Dirt hides easily on the surface, so cleaning takes more effort.
• Glazed porcelain: Covered with a protective layer of glass. Resists stains and water, easier to maintain.
• Unglazed porcelain: No glass-like coating on top. Natural, matte look. More porous, so it can stain more easily. Needs sealing once a year.

Let’s look at how to clean each one properly.

Here’s How to Clean Porcelain Tile Without Damaging the Surface

So, as per your question, “How do I clean porcelain floor tiles?” Here, we’ll show you the overall cleaning processes for different types of porcelain. 

How to Clean Unpolished Porcelain Tile

Unpolished tiles are tough but slightly porous. They can hold dirt on the surface if not cleaned well.

Steps to clean:

1. Sweep or vacuum to perfectly remove dirt and dust. Don’t skip grout lines.
2. Mix pH-neutral cleaner with warm water in a bucket.
3. Work in small sections so the solution doesn’t dry. Let it sit for 5–10 minutes.
4. Scrub gently with a soft-bristle brush, including the grout.
5. Rinse with clean water and change the water often.
6. Dry the surface with a microfiber cloth or towel.

How to Clean Polished Porcelain Tile

Polished porcelain has a shiny, mirror-like finish. The main concern here is avoiding scratches.

Steps to clean:

1. Use a dust mop instead of a broom to remove dust.
2. Mix hot water with half the cleaning solution compared to unpolished tiles.
3. Mop with the solution, but avoid soaking the floor. Too much water can leave stains.
4. Rinse with clean water. Change water often.
5. Dry with a microfiber cloth to stop water spots.

Warning: Polished tiles get slippery when wet. Be careful while cleaning.

How to Clean Textured Porcelain Tile

Textured porcelain tiles are beautiful but tricky because dirt hides in the grooves.

Steps to clean:

1. Sweep twice, once straight and once diagonally, to loosen all dirt.
2. Vacuum to pick up dust left behind.
3. Mix your tile cleaner with warm water.
4. Let the tiles soak for 5–10 minutes.
5. Scrub dirty spots with a soft brush or toothbrush.
6. Rinse with hot, clean water quickly to avoid water spots.
7. Dry with a microfiber cloth or towel.

How to Clean Glazed Porcelain Tile

Glazed tiles have a protective layer, which makes them the easiest to clean.

Steps to clean:

1. Sweep or vacuum regularly to prevent scratches.
2. Mop with a mild cleaning solution (use half the strength cleaning solution compared to unglazed).
3. Rinse with clean water.
4. Dry well to keep them shiny.

Tip: If you see stains, use a diluted vinegar solution (1:1 with water), but rinse it off immediately.

How to Clean Unglazed Porcelain Tile

Unglazed tiles look natural and have a matte finish. But because they don’t have a glass coating, they are more porous and can stain if not cared for. 

Cleaning them needs a bit more care.

Steps to clean:

1. Sweep or vacuum to perfectly remove loose dirt and dust.
2. Mix a pH-neutral cleaner with warm water in a bucket.
3. Work in small sections so the solution does not dry on the floor. Let it sit for 5 to 10 minutes.
4. Scrub gently with a soft brush, including the grout lines.
5. Rinse with clean water. Change the water often.
6. Dry the tiles with a clean towel or microfiber cloth.

Tip: Once a year, apply a sealer to unglazed tiles. This keeps them protected from stains and makes cleaning easier.

How to Make pH-neutral Cleaner at Home

A pH-neutral cleaner is simply a cleaner that is not too acidic and not too alkaline, close to plain water. You can easily make it at home by mixing a few drops of mild dish soap in a bucket of warm water. 

Another good option is using liquid castile soap; just add one or two teaspoons to a gallon of water. Both work well on tiles, marble, and other delicate surfaces. 

If you buy from a store, look for labels that say safe for tile and stone. Avoid vinegar, bleach, or ammonia because they are not pH-neutral and can damage surfaces.

You can even test if a cleaner is pH neutral in a very simple way. The easiest is to dip a pH strip into the solution; if it shows around 7, it is neutral. If you do not have strips, just notice how it feels and smells. 

A neutral cleaner should not smell strong like vinegar, bleach, or ammonia, and it should feel gentle on your skin without burning or dryness.

Deep Cleaning Porcelain Tile (For Stubborn Dirt)

How do you clean porcelain floor tiles if it’s deep cleaning? Sometimes regular cleaning is not enough, especially in high-traffic areas.

Here’s how to deep clean:

1. Mix ¼ cup of vinegar with 1 gallon of warm water.
2. Mop the floor thoroughly with this solution.
3. Rinse with plain water.
4. Sprinkle baking soda on the floor.
5. Mop again with the vinegar-water solution.
6. Rinse one more time with plain water.
7. Work in small sections and dry each part as you go.

This method removes grime, disinfects, and brings back the shine.

How Often Should You Clean Porcelain Tiles?

You should clean tile floors regularly to keep them looking fresh. 

Sweep, vacuum, or dry mop every day or every few days to remove dust and grit. Once a week, mop with warm water and a mild cleaner. Do a deeper clean with diluted vinegar solution (like 1 part vinegar to several parts water) and baking soda once a month or whenever needed. 

If you have unglazed tiles, apply a sealing treatment once a year to protect them from stains.

Important Dos and Don’ts for Porcelain Tile Care

Do	Don’t
Sweep or vacuum regularly. Use pH-neutral or tile-safe cleaners. Dry tiles after mopping to avoid water stains. Clean tile grout lines with baking soda and water. Ventilate the area while cleaning.	Don’t use bleach or strong acids. Don’t use steel wool or hard brushes. Don’t let spills sit for too long. Don’t use coloured cleaners on unglazed tiles. Don’t oversaturate unpolished or unglazed tiles with water.

When Do You Need Professional Help?

Most of the time, you can clean porcelain tiles yourself, but sometimes it’s better to call a professional tile cleaner. 

If your tiles have deep stains that you can’t remove, if the grout is badly discoloured or cracked, if you need sealing for a large unglazed floor, or if the surface has scratches or damage that need polishing, a pro can help. 

Professionals have special tools and cleaners that can restore your tiles safely without causing harm.

We’re Melbourne Tile Cleaners  Call 0390702700 for a free quote.  Let us make your floors shine like new with our expert tile cleaning and sealing.

Tips to Keep Porcelain Tiles Clean Longer

As a last part, here are some tips to keep your porcelain tiles clean for a long time.

• Place doormats at entrances to reduce dirt.
• Use rugs in high-traffic areas.
• Clean spills right away.
• Ask family and guests to remove shoes indoors.
• Use felt pads under furniture to stop scratches.

Wrapping Up

So, hopefully, you now know how to clean porcelain tile without damaging the surface. Porcelain tiles are durable and low-maintenance, but know that the right cleaning brings a huge difference. 

Use gentle cleaners, clean spills quickly, and dry the floor after mopping. 

With a few simple habits, your tiles will stay bright, clean, and fresh for decades.

 

FAQs

 

• How do you properly clean porcelain tiles without streaks?

To clean porcelain tiles without streaks, use a diluted vinegar and water solution to mop the tiles gently. Make sure to rinse the floor well with clean water afterwards. Finally, you should dry the tiles with a microfiber cloth to leave a streak-free shine.

 

• What can damage porcelain tile?

Strong chemicals like bleach or ammonia damage the surface and grout. Steel wool or hard brushes can scratch the tiles. Leaving spills for a long time can cause stains or permanent marks.

 

• Do porcelain tiles need sealing?

Glazed and polished tiles already have a protective layer, so they usually do not need sealing. Unglazed tiles are porous and can absorb stains, so it’s best to seal them once a year. Sealing also makes cleaning much easier.

 

• Can I use vinegar or bleach regularly?

No, vinegar or bleach is too harsh for daily cleaning. They can damage the tile surface and grout over time. Only use vinegar in a very diluted form for occasional deep cleaning.

 

• How often should I clean grout lines?

Grout lines trap dirt and grime faster than tiles. Wipe them at least once a week with a soft brush and mild cleaner. For stubborn stains, use a paste of baking soda and water, then rinse well. Or, you can contact a professional grout cleaning service.