The Best Tile Floor Cleaners for a Spotless Clean
Some days, vacuuming feels like a chore. Other days, scrubbing the bathroom floor feels like a chore. Today is not a scrubbing day. Today is a vacuuming day. And since you’ve already dragged out the big machine, you may as well give your tile floors a good scrubbing while you’re at it.
We spent more than 50 hours researching, and we found the best tile-floor cleaners for ceramic, stone, and porcelain that can keep your floors looking their best, whether you’re tackling a light daily cleanup or tackling a major scrub-fest.
# | Name | Preview | Rating | Action |
1 | Mrs. Meyer’s Multi-Surface Cleaner Concentrate | 9.5 | ||
2 | WICHEMI 1600W High Temp Steam Cleaners | 9.5 | ||
3 | MBETA 17.6 Oz/500ML Powerful Decontamination Floor Cleaner | 9.4 | ||
4 | Bona Hard-Surface Floor Cleaner Refill | 8.9 | ||
5 | Weiman Stone Tile and Laminate Cleaner – 32 Oz | 8.4 |
The Approach We Took for Testing
We dirty the tile using our regular test dirt: a mixture of ground-in dirt, hair, dead bugs, and other filth that we find on the floor. Then we run our 10 cleaners across the floor, spraying them from a distance of about five feet. After each pass, we take a photo of the dirty grout, which lets us easily see how well the cleaners are doing.
We also test stain removers and de-misters, both of which we spray on the floor and walk on.
We note how easy it is to see where we’ve cleaned and how much cleaning solution is left on the floor after we’re done. (We use a laminated flooring that is similar to laminates like Pergo and Weyerhaeuser.)
To assess stain-removal performance, we apply stains that we find in real-life homes: spaghetti sauce, blood, and chocolate. We also apply these stains to a section of bare laminate flooring. We then clean the stains with the recommended kit or products from the box.
We also test mop heads: We measure the head size, note how easy it is to thread through a pole, and note how easy it is to attach and detach mop heads.
To evaluate steam mops, we measure their steam output and see how effective they are at cleaning floors. We also consider ergonomics: How easy are they to operate? How comfortable and easy are they to maneuver?
Mrs. Meyer’s Multi-Surface Cleaner Concentrate
Why Should You Buy It
The Mrs. Meyer’s Clean Day Multi-Surface Concentrate (laundry detergent and multi-surface cleaner) thoroughly cleaned porous surfaces (counters, tubs, etc.) and left them smelling fresh, thanks to a plant-based, biodegradable formula.
It also did a great job on nonporous surfaces (such as tile, hardwood floors, and sealed granite), without leaving them streaky or sticky.
This formula is also safe to use on most surfaces, including most wood floors, although we don’t recommend it for flooring that’s been painted, varnished, or stained.
The classic lavender scent, inspired by Mrs. Meyer’s lilac bushes, was fresh and floral but not overwhelming.
In addition to the multi-surface cleaner, Mrs. Meyer’s also makes a hardwood floor cleaner and a tile cleaner, which we found worked well on sealed hardwood and tile.
All of the Mrs. Meyer’s products are cruelty-free and Leaping Bunny certified. They’re made with plant-based ingredients, biodegradable formulas, and they never include bleach or fragrances that could be harmful to you or the environment.
WICHEMI 1600W High Temp Steam Cleaners
Why Should You Buy It
The Wielemi 1600W High Temp Steam Cleaner is a powerful, versatile, and fast machine that can remove most stains and messes in minutes, even on a high-traffic floor.
It’s also a more capable, versatile, and faster cleaner than most other steam mops we’ve tested. It’s capable of producing 248°F/120°C high-temp steam that can loosen even the most stubborn stains and debris.
It takes only 15 seconds to heat up, and its steam is hot enough to be effective on most floors, including hardwood and tile.
Its two cleaning modes—steam mop and handheld steamer—make it ideal for most floors and surfaces. The steam mop is great for standard cleaning, but the handheld steamer is easier to use in tight spaces, as well as when you want to clean upholstery or other hard-to-reach areas.
With a lightweight, plastic body and a rotating, flexible head, it’s also easy to maneuver. The Wielemi’s 400ml water tank can produce steam for 20 minutes, and its 16.4ft cable length lets you cover more ground than most other steam mops we tested.
It’s more expensive than other steam mops we tested, but it offers superior performance and versatility.
MBETA 17.6 Oz/500ML Powerful Decontamination Floor Cleaner
Why Should You Buy It
With a sweet orange or cherry blossom scent, Mebeta’s Wood Floor Cleaner and Polisher is ready to wipe up spills, stains, and dust to restore your floors to their natural shine, stain removal, and fast-drying properties.
It also works to easily remove built-up dirt, grease, water, footprints, and sticky stains. This Mebeta product is ideal for wood, tile, marble, ceramics, wooden furniture, sinks, refrigerators, windows, and more. The orange- and cherry blossom-scented formula is gentle on your floors and makes them smell fresh.
The only thing we don’t like about this product is that it’s not formulated to be used in steam mops, so we can’t recommend it for those who prefer that method of cleaning.
Bona Hard-Surface Floor Cleaner Refill
Why Should You Buy It
The Bona Splashless Hard Surface Floor Cleaner makes cleaning a breeze. The bottle’s splashless pouring and the fact that it’s water-based make it easier to use.
We found that this cleaner dries faster than other formulas and left no residue, so you can use it more often. It’s eco-friendly and free of harsh chemicals like ammonia, which can be irritating to people and pets.
It works well on many hard-surface floors, including linoleum, stone, terrazzo, vinyl, sealed porous marble, laminate, vinyl LVT/LVP, and no-wax sealed tile (ceramic, Mexican Saltillo, quarry).
The formula is also certified by the US EPA’s Safer Choice label, which requires that it meet a minimum standard of being free of the most harmful VOCs, as well as being safer for people, pets, and the planet.
Weiman Stone Tile and Laminate Cleaner – 32 Oz
Why Should You Buy It
We recommend the Weiman Stone & Tile Cleaner for people who have sealed stone, ceramic, or porcelain tile floors. It’s a gentle, pH-neutral formula that will leave your surfaces shiny and streak-free without dulling them.
It works great on all types of stone and tile, including limestone, slate, terra cotta, and terrazzo, as well as ceramic tile, vinyl, and other hard surfaces. While other cleaners we tested left our test flooring looking dull, Weiman’s Stone & Tile Cleaner made our stone tile sparkle and shine.
It’s also the most affordable cleaner we tested, as well as the best one for people who want to use it in an unconventional way, such as adding it to a refillable spray mop.
Consider These Factors to Ensure Your Pick Checks All the Boxes
After years of using, testing, talking to experts, and reading hundreds of reviews from real people, we narrowed our list down to the following options:
Mop-Powered
We focused on mop-powered cleaners because they’re the most capable at tackling tough messes and are much easier to wrangle than a bucket and spray bottle.
Requires Dilution (Not Concentrate)
We wanted cleaners that required diluting with water so we could easily adjust for different types of messes. Some tile cleaners come pre-diluted in a bottle. These are convenient but can be more expensive and don’t allow you to adjust the strength.
Some manufacturers recommend adding more soap or cleaner to compensate for really dirty floors, but this leads to waste if your floor is only slightly grubby.
Biodegradable Ingredients
We looked for cleaners that didn’t contain heavy metals or other potentially harmful ingredients.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the key features of the best tile floor cleaner?
The key features of the best tile floor cleaner include:
- A non-toxic, hypoallergenic formula that is safe for use around children and pets.
- A deep-cleaning action that removes dirt and grime from tile and grout surfaces.
- A pH-balanced solution that won’t dull or damage the tile’s finish.
- An easy-to-use spray-on or mop-on application that is quick and efficient.
- A pleasant scent that leaves behind a pleasant, fresh scent.
- A streak-free finish that leaves tile floors looking shiny and new.
Does the best tile floor cleaner require special tools or equipment to use?
No, the best tile floor cleaner does not require special tools or equipment to use. Most tile floor cleaners are simple to use and are designed to work with a mop, sponge, or cloth.
Is the best tile floor cleaner suitable for all types of tile flooring?
No, the best tile floor cleaner is not suitable for all types of tile flooring. Different types of tile flooring require different types of cleaners, so it is important to select the right cleaner for your specific type of tile flooring.
How long does it take for the best tile floor cleaner to dry?
It depends on the type of tile floor cleaner you are using and the environment. Generally, it takes anywhere from 30 minutes to 2 hours for tile floor cleaner to dry.
Does the best tile floor cleaner leave a residue on the surface of the tiles?
No, the best tile floor cleaner should not leave a residue on the surface of the tiles. Residue can damage the tiles and cause them to look dull and discolored.