Many homeowners wonder if they can use their carpet cleaner to clean other hard surfaces throughout the house, like tile floors. But, can this truly work out?
We all know that carpet cleaners are designed to deep clean carpeting using steam, hot water, and strong suction.
At first glance, these mechanisms seem like they would work great to lift dirt and grime from the grout lines and surface of tile floors as well. However, using them on hard flooring like tile does pose some risks and limitations.
Well, do not worry!!! Let us consider if this can actually work out in this article.
Pros of Using Carpet Cleaner on Tile Floors
While carpet cleaners are not designed for tile floors, there are some benefits to using them on hard surfaces
Powerful Suction Lifts Dirt from Grout Lines
The strong vacuum on carpet cleaners can suck up dirt, dust, and debris lodged in grout lines and crevices. For tile that hasn’t been cleaned in a while, this can help lift up grime from pores and corners.
The high level of suction gets into areas that mops may miss. The powerful motor and suction capabilities allow the carpet cleaner to extract years of built-up dust and allergens that have settled into the grout lines. Using a carpet cleaner can make grout appear brighter and cleaner.
Steam Option Sanitizes Floors
Many carpet cleaners have a steam feature that heats up the water. This can sanitize and disinfect tile floors more effectively than just using plain water.
The hot steam helps kill germs and bacteria lingering on the tile. And this can be especially useful in bathrooms and kitchens where hygiene is crucial.
Removes Sticky Messes and Spills
The cleaning solutions and brushes of a carpet cleaner can break up and remove sticky substances and spills that have dried on the tile. In this way, things like juice, wine, mud, and food mess can become stuck to the grout and tile surface, which a carpet cleaner can power through.
Wide Cleaning Path Works Quickly
The wide cleaning path of carpet cleaners, which can be 5″ or more across, enables them to cover tile floors faster than a regular mop.
Their larger tanks and faster speeds make quick work of floor cleaning. So, you can easily tackle large open tile areas like kitchens, entryways, and hallways faster with a carpet cleaner than on hands and knees with a brush and bucket.
Helpful for Pet Owners
For pet owners, carpet cleaners can be a huge asset in keeping tile floors clean. They can eliminate urine stains and odors that may have soaked into grout lines.
The strong suction removes shed pet hair. Powerful agitation breaks up tracked-in mud or waste. For those with multiple pets, a carpet cleaner can really help freshen floors.
Cons of Using Carpet Cleaner on Tile Floors
However, there are some notable downsides to using a carpet cleaner on tile:
Can Leave Too Much Moisture Behind
One of the biggest risks is moisture getting trapped under tiles and causing damage over time. Carpet cleaners are made to douse carpets thoroughly and then immediately suck the water back up.
Tile doesn’t absorb liquid the same way. The excess water left behind can warp or discolor grout and break adhesive bonds under tiles.
Water seeping under floor tiles can lead to loud popping sounds as tiles push up. It can also promote mold growth and attract pests.
Not Designed for Hard Surfaces
Carpet cleaners simply aren’t engineered with tile floors in mind. From the chemical solutions dispensed to the brushes used, they are purpose-built for deep cleaning carpets.
While they can be used in a pinch, frequent use on tile risks damaging the tile and cleaner. The machine may become unbalanced, and parts can wear out faster.
Risk of Breaking Loose Tiles
The intense suction and spinning brushes of a carpet cleaner can potentially suck up or dislodge loose tiles. Any cracked, damaged, or poorly adhered tiles risk being pulled up or broken further. This can lead to even more costly repairs down the road.
Can Spread Dirt to Other Areas
Since carpet cleaners don’t have a contained cleaning path like a mop, dirt, and debris can get spread around to other areas. The spinning brushes sling water and grime outside the cleaning head path. Users may need to do additional mopping after carpet cleaning to remove splatter.
Read: Can You Use Ammonia To Clean Tile Floors?
Tips for Cleaning Tile Floors with a Carpet Cleaner
If you do opt to use a carpet cleaner on the tile, here are some tips to make it most effective:
- Use a lower suction setting – Turn down the vacuum power so it doesn’t over-dry the floors or pull up grout.
- Go slowly and extract all moisture – Work slowly and go over areas multiple times to fully suck up excess water.
- Use grout brush attachment – If your machine has a spinning grout brush, use it to clean those detailed areas.
- Mix tile cleaning solution into water – Use a small amount of mild tile/vinyl floor cleaner in the solution tank.
- Clean grout lines separately after – Follow up with a manual grout brush and scrubbing to finish.
- Change out dirty water often – Don’t allow the water to become too filthy as this can leave residue behind.
- Use narrow attachments on edges – Attach a small upholstery tool to avoid spraying other surfaces.
- Wipe up splatter right away – Quickly wipe any messes that spread beyond the tile being cleaned.
- Let tile fully dry before sealing – If applying a grout sealer after, allow a few hours for drying first.
Conclusion
Of a truth, using a carpet cleaner on tile floors can actually work quite well for small jobs. Just be careful about extracting all moisture from the tile after cleaning. But it is advised to seek the help of a professional service for heavy-duty tile cleaning or larger areas.
