| Cleaning Brick Tile Floors Information |
Brick and tile may be purchased unsealed or sealed. If it has been sealed, it will be much easier to keep clean. Vacuum regularly, and occasionally damp mop with plain water to remove soil. Occasionally for heavier soil use a mild detergent solution, rinse well, and wipe dry for more shine.
Brick or tile floors may be cleaned with a solution of a moderately strong alkali such as washing soda or trisodium phosphate (Or a cleaner containing TSP such as "Spic-and-Span." Use about 1 tablespoon in a gallon of warm water, stronger if needed.). Rinse well to remove all solution.
If the bricks or tiles have been sealed there still may be white or grey dust track over both that surface and into carpeted floor areas. The whitish dust will be from the grout used in laying the floor. A brick layer may use muriatic acid to clean up floor surfaces when he completes the floor. (Dilute the muriatic acid, 1 part acid to 10 parts water.) If the floor is not flushed thoroughly with water after clean-up, the muriatic acid will continue to leach lime from the grout causing the whitish dust. Most bricklayers today use a commercial product which is easier to wash off, but also more expensive.
This article was written by Anne Field, Extension Specialist, Emeritus with references from Georgia Extension bulletin Buying and Caring for Smooth Surface Flooring: Masonry.
MSU 2003
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