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Stains can challenge even the most creative housekeeper. Fortunately, professional housekeepers have come up with a number of ways to combat stains and keep tile floors looking clean and attractive.
Whenever you have to work with strong chemicals or are cleaning up body fluid stains or blood, you should wear heavy latex utility gloves and protective goggles.
Before doing any stain removal process, you should test it. Do this by applying it to a small area of the floor that is out of sight or covered by furniture. If the remover damages the floor, do not continue. It may be necessary to contact the tile manufacturer for instructions.
Blood stains
Cover the area with paper towels. Pour a fresh solution of phenolic liquid detergent or disinfectant and water on the paper towels. Let the solution stand for 15 minutes.
Throw away the paper towels in a sealable plastic container. Wipe the area with dry paper towels.
If you do not know whose blood it is or there is a chance that the blood is infected with bloodborne pathogens, you need to take extra precautions. Bloodborne pathogens are viruses, bacteria, and other microorganisms that are carried in a person’s bloodstream and other body fluids. They can cause the Hepatitis B Virus (HBV), the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), and other infections. Examine the gloves for tears, cracks, and holes before and after use. Do not use damaged gloves. Remove gloves properly and wash your hands. Dispose of the gloves.
Burns
Rub the spot with #0 steel wool and a strong all-purpose detergent solution. If the burn has destroyed the tile, you will probably have to replace it.
Candy, chewing gum, or candle wax
Scrape up gum or candy with a putty knife. Apply an all-purpose detergent solution. Rub with #0 steel wool dipped in an all-purpose detergent solution. To remove gum from hard or 100% vinyl resilient tile, use denatured alcohol or a powdered detergent. Rinse the spot with a wet cloth or sponge.
If the gum does not scrape off, try first freezing it to brittleness using ice cubes and then scraping it off with a plastic spatula.
There are also commercially available gum removers that can be used on some stains.
Fresh fruit stains
Dip a clean cloth into a solution of detergent and warm water. Rub gently. If the floor is a resilient surface (such as vinyl, cork, or wood), mix one tablespoon of oxalic acid and one pint of water, dip the cloth in it and rub again.
Heel marks
Try using a pencil eraser to remove heel marks. If that doesn’t work, rub heel marks with an all-purpose detergent and #0 steel wool. Some experts suggest using a commercial concentrated household cleaner that has a petroleum solvent or using a solvent-based cleaner.
Ink stains
Clean with a strong all-purpose detergent solution and steel wool. If the stain persists, dampen a cloth with ammonia and place it over the stain for several minutes. Rinse well.
Use denatured alcohol to remove some inks if the stain is on a hard surface or 100% vinyl resilient tile.
There are commercially available ink stain removers, but most cannot be used on hard-surfaced floors.
Nail polish
Blot as much of the polish as possible using a dry cloth of sponge. Clean with all-purpose detergent solution. Apply nail polish remover. Do not use nail polish remover on rubber or asphalt tile. Some experts suggest using baby oil instead of nail polish remover.
Urine stains
Be sure to wear protective equipment such as goggles and gloves and follow the same procedures as for bloodborne pathogens.
If the stain is fresh, use absorbent paper towels to blot it until you can’t soak up any more urine. Use #0 steel wool if necessary and a strong bleach solution. Put the paper towels, steel wool, and gloves in a sealable plastic container before disposing of it. Wash your hands thoroughly as soon as you remove your gloves.
For older stains, dilute liquid bleach in hot water (preferably at a 1:10 mix). Dip a clean cloth into the water and rub the spot. Rinse well with clean water.
No matter what the stain, you may have to strip and wax the floor or touch up the wax finish after removing a stain.
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