Even though ceramic tiles are stain-resistant, reoccurring contact of gum, grease, ink, blood, or nail polish with the ceramic tiles over time can leave black marks. Getting these stains off the ceramic tiles and ensuring they are sparkling after many years requires more than mopping with soap and water.
Although removing black stains from ceramic tiles can be notoriously tricky, there are several ways to do it. While some methods are more effective for certain stains, from baking soda paste to hydrogen peroxide, other cleaning agents, and a bit of scrubbing when required, you can get the marks off your ceramic tiles.
How To Remove Black Marks From Ceramic Tile [Step-By-Step]
Ceramic tiles are easy to maintain, but they require some upkeep to ensure that the functionalities and aesthetic features remain.
Precaution
- Before attempting any cleaning method, a good recommendation is to try it on an inconspicuous piece of tile to know how your tile reacts to certain chemical solutions.
- While there are various approaches to getting the black mark off the ceramic tiles, the cleaning method that works for you depends on the type and cause of the stain.
Steps to remove black marks from ceramic tiles
Here’s a comprehensive step-by-step look at how to remove black marks from ceramic tile flooring:
Step 1: Clean the floor
Even though not all black marks will come off with washing, it takes out every additional grim, oil, dirt, or debris and makes it easier to get them off. You can start by sweeping or vacuuming the surface of ceramic tiles. Most ceramic tiles can handle any tile cleaner, so use a clean cloth to wash the floor and let it dry. This step aims to ensure the black mark has no secondary substance covering, and getting the mark off is not grinding other dirt is not getting into the floor.
Step 2: Use a scrubbing pad
Ceramic tiles don’t scratch easily, and you may get the mark out by using your household cleaner and a scrubbing pad. After testing a small area of your tile to ensure your scrubbing pad doesn’t scratch into the tile, pour some cleaner on the black mark and rub it in. Proceed in a circular motion such that the scrubbing pad pulls the black mark off the ceramics tile and into the pad. Rinse the household cleaner and the residue off the floor and wipe with a soft cloth to dry.
Step 3: Apply Baking soda paste
Getting the scuff mark from your ceramic and porcelain tile may require some baking soda paste. Mix two tablespoons of the baking soda with warm water to form a smooth paste without making it runny. Rub the mix on the marked area with a soft cloth, and let the mixture sit in for a few minutes. Dampen a small clean cloth, wipe the mix and the residue off the area, and let it dry.
Step 4: Try bleach alternatives
Hydrogen peroxide is efficient enough to clean most surfaces. Even when diluted, it’s still a powerful cleaning chemical. You can get the mark out of ceramic and porcelain tiles by dabbing only three percent of hydrogen peroxide on the stained spot. Mixing one part peroxide with two parts baking soda helps gentle surface cleaning. Let it sit for about one hour to soak beneath the mark to separate it from the tile’s surface before scrubbing and rinsing. You can also pour the cleaning chemical directly on the stubborn stains. Hydrogen peroxide is slightly corrosive, so it’s advisable to wash the ceramic floor thoroughly with water as soon the stain disappears. Then wipe it dry with a soft cloth.
Step 5: Steam clean the ceramic tile
Steam cleaning tile is another viable option for cleaning ceramic tiles. The high-pressure stream runs a deep cleaner to remove embedded dirt detergent residue and disinfect the ceramic tile’s surface better than other regular cleaners. This cleaning method blasts overlooked dirt, which the naked eye cannot see out of tiny cracks and crevices. Before applying the steam cleaning method, you need to clean the areas with black marks and set up your cleaner based on the instructions and recommendations of the manufacturer for ceramic tiles. Work the small sections before moving to the more intense areas until the job is completed. After this, clean the area with a microfiber cloth and let the tile floor air dry.
How do you remove scuff marks from floor tiles?
Clean the tile floors
While there are several methods to remove scuff marks from tiles, most freshly scuff marks easily comes off when you rub a slightly damp soft rag on the spot. You need to apply a bit of pressure, but you should also be careful not to damage the paint. If the scruff is gone after this, clean the area with a dry cloth.
What causes scuff marks on ceramic tiles?
Most black scuff marks on floor tiles are from tips of furniture legs or hard-soled shoes. Dragging or pushing stools, toys, ladders, or furniture with protective rubber tips across a room can create scruff marks on your floor. These can ruin their appearance. Even though scruff marks look challenging to get rid of, a few tips and a little effort are not that tough.
Tips to remove scuff marks from ceramic tiles
Here are other tricks and scuff mark removers you can employ to remove scuff marks and make your tiles as good as new.
Using Scruff Erasers
Ceramic tiles may require erasers to remove certain scruff marks. Firmly move it back and forth over the floor surface at a 45-degree angle until the scuff marks disappear. In most cases, the black spot is not the type of stain that can penetrate the tile, and the eraser can do the job. There are several erasers specifically for scruff removal. Choose one that isn’t too harsh and won’t damage your floors. After this, you can sweep off the tiny pieces of erasers carrying the black stain or the residue of the eraser. You can also rewash the floor to ensure the floor is clean of the erasers.
Using Toothpaste
An alternative to baking soda paste is using toothpaste as a scuff mark remover to clean your floors. Put a bit of toothpaste on a clean cloth, and rub it on the scuff marks in a circular motion. Once done, wipe the area with a clean damp cloth and let it dry thoroughly.
Applying WD-40
One easy and powerful way to get rid of scuff marks without affecting the polish of the ceramic tile is using WD-40. With a bit of WD-40 on a soft clean cloth or a paper towel, you can rub the fabric on the scuffed areas of the floors in gentle circular motions. While rubbing, be careful not to be too harsh. Using a clean damp cloth, wipe the site and let it dry.
Wrap-Up
Ceramic tiles are one of the most popular, versatile, durable flooring materials. It has outstanding longevity, sleek appearance, and is easy to maintain. These are why most contemporary homeowners prefer to use tiles for entryway floors, countertops, kitchens, and bathrooms.
Black marks on ceramic tiles are formed from dirt over time. It can build up even if you clean your tile floor often. You can remove scuff marks from floors with the tips and tricks we mentioned. However, being too harsh on the floor while scrubbing or rubbing can cause discoloration. When applying these methods, ensure you run a test on a hidden floor area to keep your tile from losing its polish or fading.