The Best Floor Cleaner Machines Designed for Tile Floors

Hoover FloorMate Deluxe Floor Cleaner, Wet Dry Vacuum, FH40160PC

BISSELL Spinwave Powered Mop and Cleaner, 2039A

BISSELL PowerFresh Steam Mop, Floor Steamer 1940

Shark Rocket DuoClean Ultra-Light Corded HV382

Tineco iFloor Cordless Wet Dry Vacuum Cleaner 

Bissell PowerEdge Pet Hardwood Floor Bagless Cleaner, 81L2A

Oreck Commercial ORB550MC 

BISSELL CrossWave Floor and Carpet Cleaner with Wet-Dry Vacuum, 1785A

Shark Navigator Lift-Away Professional NV356E

Steam Mop Cleaner ThermaPro 10-in-1

What to Consider When Buying a Tile Floor Cleaner Machine

As you probably noticed, different machines can do an equally good job of cleaning a tile floor. While it’s great to have a handy list to choose from, this many cleaners and vacuums may make it difficult for you to pick one. 

For this reason, you should consider a few of the most important buying factors. Take a look at our little guide below as we discuss each of the most critical things to consider beforehand.

Adjustable Temperature

Having the option to choose between different temperatures is more useful than you may think. Every stain is different, much like there are several tile surfaces. For this reason, you want a versatile machine that can tackle all of it. 

The best way to achieve versatility is to go for a machine that has an adjustable temperature. This is especially important if you have several other types of hard floors in your house. While a specific temperature might work for tile, it may be too hot for hardwood. 

Also, while some stains might be too stubborn for low temperatures, others might create an even bigger mess if you clean them with burning hot steam. 

Weight & Design

At first glance, some of these machines may look bulky and heavy. And while certain models do weigh quite a lot, many of them are ergonomically designed to be easy and comfortable to use when you clean your tile. 

Look for a machine that’s lightweight enough so that you can carry it around the house. This is especially important if you have stairs. However, consider that these mops tend to be even heavier once you add water to the tank. 

Extraction Option

Tile cleaners come with many different features, but the extraction option is something you won’t see often. Nonetheless, it’s among the most useful features, especially if your tile floor tends to get quite dirty. 

The extraction feature allows the cleaner to go deeper into the tile floor without damaging the surface. It does an excellent job of extracting even the most persistent debris and tiny dirt particles. 

Features 

You’ve probably noticed the many different features that a tile floor cleaning machine can come with. Some come with different water tank systems for separating dirty and clean water, while others have plenty of automatic functions. 

Brush shutoff is a handy feature to look for if you have other bare floors like hardwood, for example. Also, other attachments are worth considering as well, especially if you want a more versatile machine. 

Boiler Design

Steam tile floor cleaners work with high temperatures. For this reason, it’s critical to consider the design and overall quality of the boiler. 

You should avoid cheap, flimsy, plastic boilers since they aren’t as durable. In most cases, these show signs of damage early on. Instead, look for a stainless steel boiler that can handle the high temperature. It might be a bit pricier than plastic, but you probably won’t regret it. 

Tile Cleaner Machine Types

As you noticed from our reviews, there are plenty of different tile cleaner machines. Choosing between as many usually depends on your needs and preferences, and the type of tile and grout you have. 

However, you should first learn a little about each cleaner type so that you can figure out which would suit you the best. Take a look below as we discuss each type and its specifications. 

Steam Cleaner

A steam cleaner may be the most popular option out there. In most cases, it works similarly to a jet cleaner, but instead of using a blast of water, it uses pressurized steam. 

Steam is usually under enough pressure to tackle even the most persistent dirt and stains. This makes this type of cleaner among the best choices for marble and granite tile. These machines come in different sizes, ranging in features and abilities. 

Jet Cleaner 

Jet cleaners are available in many sizes and shapes. The machine uses direct water pressure to remove stubborn stains and built-in dirt in tiles and grout. 

Most models come with a built-in vacuum sealed system, which prevents water from spreading across the floor. Nonetheless, most are recommended for outdoor use only. You’re best off using a jet cleaner with water only, although some tile solutions are also safe to use. 

Floor Buffer

Floor buffers are handy machines that are perfect for scrubbing heavy-duty grime and built-in dust. You should use a cleaning product with a tile buffer, but make sure that it doesn’t have any harsh chemicals. 

A floor buffer is a large, upright cleaner that you have to hold with both of your hands. It’s easy to use as it usually comes with several scrubbing pads. One thing to keep in mind is that these machines use water, so they’re typically the best for an outdoor tile floor. 

Tile Vacuum 

Tile vacuums are usually suitable for other hard floor types as well. In most cases, you can clean laminate, hardwood, and vinyl with a vacuum you’d use on your tiles. 

While you should consider its weight, design, and overall ease of use, you should think about its brush first. If it has motorized brushes and accessories, you should make sure that you can turn those off. Motorized tools can sometimes damage the surface of a bare floor. 

Also, look for the best vacuum for tile floors that won’t push or scatter the debris around. 

Read more: Best Picks of Tile Flooring Cleaners

How to Maintain Your Tile Floors

Maintaining a tile floor may seem simple, but the reality is that your floors might store lots of bacteria and grime even if it looks clean. For this reason, you should have a powerful machine to clean the floors with. 

However, a few other things are equally as important. First and foremost, you should pick a machine that’s specifically built for your type of tiles. Take a few minutes to read about the adequate cleaners for tile. 

Choosing the adequate cleaner

Bleach cleaners have whitening and antibacterial properties. They’re safe to use on all types of tile, but make sure to follow the instructions on the packaging. In most cases, you should dilute a tablespoon of bleach in one gallon of water. 

If you have mildew, you should use a specialized cleaner to tackle the issue. Use muriatic acid to remove mold from your tiles regardless of whether they’re in your kitchen or bathroom. Still, be careful since the solution might harm your skin unless you wear gloves. 

Grout cleaner is another thing you should try out. It’s designed for grout cleaning, which is where most of the bacteria tend to build up. 

Oxygen-based cleaners are all-natural. You should mix it with a little bit of water to create a paste to clean with. It’s one of the best solutions for stains. 

Ceramic and Porcelain Tile Floors

These tiles are quite durable, but they still require regular maintenance. The first thing you should do is vacuum or sweep the loose debris because they can damage the glazed surface. 

It’s critical that you have the right mop for this type of tile. Use either a rag or chamois-style mop while avoiding sponge mops. Also, clean with mild detergent and water only. Sponge mops aren’t the best for grout since they can make the area even dirtier. 

Once you’ve vacuumed and cleaned the tiles, you should check if there are any leftover stains. If so, use the right product for stain removal to get rid of it. 

 Be sure also to rinse the floor because any soap residue will make the tiles look hazy. Once your tiles look spotlessly clean, you should let them dry before adding any throws or area rugs. Open your windows to air-dry the area, or use a rag. 

Stone Tile Floors

Marble, granite, and slate tiles look stylish and beautiful, but they require particular maintenance to keep looking like that. Using chemicals might not be the best idea since most products can damage the delicate surface of natural stone tiles. 

You can clean slate tiles with a mild detergent. However, make sure that it doesn’t contain any acid like vinegar or lemon. Also, dry the floor immediately after cleaning it to avoid water spots. 

Marble tiles are high-maintenance, so you should be quite careful with how you clean them. Avoid using products with an acidic pH level. Also, stay away from any products that have vinegar or lemon since they can damage the floor. Use a soft mop while avoiding brushes and mops with tough bristles.  

 You should clean granite tiles with a mild, pH-neutral detergent. Harsh chemicals might damage the surface, leaving streaks. 

Resilient Tile Floors

Resilient tile floors like vinyl, linoleum, rubber, and cork don’t need as much maintenance. Vinyl floor requires regular sweeping and mopping with a specialized cleaning solution. Don’t use any scrubbing tools or abrasive cleaners as they can damage the floor. 

Linoleum looks similar to vinyl, but it has different maintenance requirements. Vacuum or sweep before washing the linoleum with a specialized solution, or water and borax. Make sure to rinse and dry the floor as well before applying a coat of wax to protect it. 

Cork tiles might need a bit of different maintenance depending on the particular finish. If the surface is sealed with polyurethane, you should clean it with mild detergent and water. If it’s unfinished, you should clean it as you would polyurethane with an addition of a coat of wax. 

Tile Grout

As we mentioned, clean grout is critical to having great-looking tile floors. However, it’s also the most challenging to clean because it’s porous, absorbing stains easily and quickly. 

While you can try several commercial cleaners, you should know that they aren’t the most efficient. If you want to save some money and time, make a paste of water and baking soda. 

Rub it directly on the stain and let it sit for hours, or overnight. Scrub the area with a stiff nylon brush as much as needed to remove the stain. 

You should protect the grout by applying a silicone-based sealer. This is best done some 14 days after the grout is renewed or installed, although you can add it anytime. 

Using a steam mop is okay if your grout is new and in good condition. If it’s in bad shape, steam might accelerate the damage. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Q:

How often should I clean my tile floors?

A: Regular maintenance is critical for your floors to look their best. For this reason, it’s essential to have a cleaning routine that you stick to.

You should commit to dry cleaning at least once a week or more often if needed. Use a vacuum or a tile mop, depending on what you have at hand. In either case, you should use soft tools and brushes that won’t damage your floor.

When it comes to wet cleaning, make sure to do it at least every two weeks. In most cases, you’ll have to do it more often, especially the tiles in your bathroom, because it’s where all the germs and bacteria are hiding.

Q:

How can I clean grout lines?

A: Many people will tell you to use peroxide and vinegar to clean grout. However, that’s not such a good idea since the acid can loosen the grout lines. Also, acid and alkaline cleaners can mess up your stole tile as well.

Still, grout lines require regular cleaning. You may want to try some commercial cleaners made specifically for the task, or make your own paste using water and baking soda.

Either way, try to stay away from steam. You want to use gentle brushes to apply the paste overnight. Once you remove the paste and rinse the area, it should look spotless clean without any need for a steam mop.

Q:

Can tile floors be polished?

A: Tiles can be polished, but you should have proper tools to do this. You can do this with a mop and a polishing solution, or you can use an orbiter floor machine with the same polishing product.

An orbiter is a cleaning tool with a large circular brush. It revolves at high speeds, polishing the hard surface when used with a chemical solution. It’s a simple method that doesn’t require lots of time or effort.

Another option is to use a steam mop with an orbiter function. This is even easier to do, although the process is the same.

Q:

Are eco-friendly tile cleaners effective? 

A: While we should always strive to use eco-friendly cleaning solutions, that’s not always the most practical idea. Green cleaners are safer for us, but some of them might not be strong enough.

The truth is that many people use eco-friendly cleaning products to maintain their floors. However, it’s a matter of finding the right product that has enough power to tackle all the germs and bacteria.

If commercial cleaners aren’t doing much for you, you should make your own. The most popular is a mixture of dish soap, water, and vinegar, although the smell it leaves isn’t the most pleasant.

People have split opinions on environmentally-friendly products. For this reason, you should test them out yourself.