“You need to make sure what you’re using is safe. This can include knowing whether it uses toxic or non-toxic chemicals, whether its ingredients are naturally sourced or biodegradable, or if it does a good enough job of sanitizing its intended surface,” says cleaning expert Patrick Taylor of Roxton Industries, a company that manufactures cleaning wipes. If that sounds like too much work to achieve a clean bathroom floor, don’t worry; we did the research for you. We tested and researched the best tile floor cleaners, evaluating ease of use, effectiveness, and formulation. Our top pick is the Swiffer WetJet PowerMop Starter Kit that’s lightweight and can be paired with different available cleaning solutions from the brand. Here are the best tile floor cleaners. This all-in-one wet mop and floor cleaner has a user-friendly design that’s undeniably simple to maneuver. Push a button to dispense a small stream of liquid, then just glide the slim and lightweight mop across your bathroom, kitchen, or hallway tile floor. When you’re done, toss the pad and move right along with your tasks and the rest of your day. Our tester loved the design of the mop and how it made it easy to use: “I particularly liked the curved handle of the WetJet, as it makes it more comfortable to hold and steer around the floor—no awkwardly turning your arms to get into corners. It’s a small detail, but one that’s often overlooked with other mops.” Don’t worry about tough spills—this tool can handle them, too. In fact, our tester said it was surprisingly super effective at cleaning both light and heavy messes. With a little bit of elbow grease, it even swiped up stuck-on bits of food. It may not be quite as sturdy as some wooden mops on the market, but it’s so durable, so you can apply the pressure you need to effectively clean. The tool holds up to tough tasks. And, because of the way it’s designed, you can disassemble the whole thing for easy storage if you need to save some space. Just note that the convenience of tossing out pads when you’re done is one you’ll pay for in the long run. You’ll need to purchase brand-specific replacements, but at least they’re widely available both online and in stores. It isn’t a massive dealbreaker in our eyes. Price at time of publish: $36 The eco-friendly cleaner isn’t too harsh for a home with kids and pets, either. It’s made from plant-derived ingredients with natural essential oils that give it a refreshing and uplifting lemon verbena scent. It’s also free of parabens and phthalates—a must for the more natural-minded consumer. If there’s any downside, it’s that even though a little bit goes a long way, you will have to dilute the formula prior to using it. Price at time of publish: $39 Testers also loved the bucket that’s included with the mop, since it does the hard work of wringing out the mop head for you. What’s more, the setup process is relatively easy (despite the vague directions), so you can get to work quickly. Plus, it comes with three washable microfiber pads, so you’ll always have extra on hand. Because of the overall efficiency and convenience, the product scored a full five stars in nearly every category, including effectiveness, maneuverability, and value. Price at time of publish: $40 To use, apply the product, wait, gently scrub with a cleaning brush, then wipe with a damp cloth. The result is lighter, brighter grout lines. “After the formula had settled for several minutes, we took our grout brush to the tiles and were instantly filled with satisfaction as brown and red dirt separated from the grout, running down the shower walls in defeat,” said our tester, who put this product to use in their home. “Of course, some areas were more stubborn than others, but it was nothing a little extra muscle couldn’t solve.” If you’re having a problem with mold or mildew, you’ll have to look elsewhere for a solid remedy, but otherwise this is a reliable cleaner with a mild scent. Price at time of publish: $20 Because it doesn’t contain any harsh chemicals (only essential oils), it doesn’t leave a strong scent behind, too. Rather a soft, clean, citrus aroma fills your home that our at-home tester said reminded her of a day at the spa. Also nice: There’s no dilution required. Instead, the squirt-and-mop application method means all you have to do is point, shoot, and wipe for cleaner floors. “It’s annoying to have to evacuate a room for a considerable amount of time to allow the floor to dry, but that wasn’t the case with Better Life,” said our at-home tester. “Within minutes of cleaning one portion of the floor, the surface was dry as we began cleaning another. It left a smooth finish without any tackiness, too, which was a pleasant surprise as many solutions leave the floor slightly sticky after use.” Price at time of publish: $15 The powerful cleaning tool comes with multiple attachments and effortlessly switches from an upright to a handheld steamer in seconds. What’s more, it heats up almost instantly. This BLACK+DECKER steam mop is easy to use and tackles dirt and grime better than just about anything else. In fact, in our testing, this particular steam cleaner was powerful enough to get a very large soy sauce stain off of tile flooring. Price at time of publish: $199 If you’re concerned about an intense, lingering vinegar scent, don’t worry. While it may be a bit of a hassle to dilute the formula, this is key to ending up with a pleasing eucalyptus fragrance rather than a vinegar-based one. Notably, the cleaner does come in other scents, too, including lemon and lavender. Price at time of publish: $11 Still, this cleaner is powerful enough that you should only need to do a bi-weekly clean to keep floors fresh. As a nice bonus, your floors are bound to shine brighter than ever, too. The product won’t leave floors slippery, and it also won’t leave behind any residue that may dull the overall aesthetic or lead to tackiness when you walk. Price at time of publish: $11 Despite its power, you won’t have to worry about damaging your floors. Though the formula will surely remedy your stain, it won’t affect the finish of sealed floors. Just note: it initially has a strange scent that dissipates as it dries. Price at time of publish: $13 Others come in spray bottles for easy application—including Nature’s Miracle Hard Floor Cleaner—or as a solution you mix and apply with a mop. Before buying a tile floor cleaner for your floors, consider your preferred method of application, as well as how much storage space the products will occupy in your home.
Ingredients
In tile floor cleaners, the ingredients have a direct correlation with both efficacy and overall safety. Though harsher ingredients, such as ammonia or bleach, may get tougher jobs done with no elbow grease, they may not be the best fit for homes with children and pets. You also need to take safety precautions when using them, including ventilating the area you’re cleaning, protecting your eyes and skin, and following the label’s instructions completely. You should never mix cleaners with one another, and especially should never mix ammonia and bleach. The two together can cause a very serious, harmful, and dangerous reaction. If you have young children or pets who are constantly in contact with the floor, prioritize more eco-friendly tile floor cleaners, like Aunt Fannie’s Cleaning Vinegar. If you are concerned about the ingredients in your floor cleaner, look for outside certifications from governmental agencies such as the EPA Safer Choice program or the Environmental Working Group.
Cleaning Power
Some tile floor cleaners are concentrated, and meant to be diluted. If you don’t follow the dilution instructions, you risk damaging your tile and the grout between tiles. These cleaners aren’t usually meant for daily use, so avoid buying them if you’re mopping your bathroom floor on a regular basis. If you are a frequent floor cleaner, opt for something labeled for daily or regular use. But, for tougher stains and occasional cleaning, it’s a good idea to keep a high-strength tile cleaner on hand.
Why Trust The Spruce?
Erica Puisis has been researching the best products in floor cleaning for The Spruce since 2017. She’s a fan of Armstrong’s Once ’n Done Floor Cleaner for its smooth, residue-free finish on tile floors. The same goes for bleach. While it’s a great disinfectant, you should be careful when applying it to grout. It can discolor colored grout and make it look uneven. This article was later updated by Brigitt Earley. She has written and edited hundreds of articles about cleaning products for various publications, including The Spruce, for nearly 15 years. She has personally tested a whole host of floor cleaning products, including some of the tile floor cleaners in this roundup—like Aunt Fannie’s Cleaning Vinegar. To curate this list, she reviewed top-rated items on the market, read hundreds of product reviews, and spoke to multiple cleaning professionals for their insight, including cleaning expert Patrick Taylor of Roxton Industries, a company that manufactures cleaning wipes, Additional reporting was done by Lauren Murphy, a long-time writer and editor who specializes in DIYs, home upgrades, and other home-related topics.
