Tiles are a great aesthetic addition to any outdoor area, such as the front porch, the walkway leading to the garage or the house, or the entire backyard patio, seating area, and beyond. Depending on the material, tiles are durable, versatile, they come in various colours and shapes, and they can serve a household for years if not decades.

However, in order to achieve this synergy of aesthetics and functionality, there is a need to adhere to proper upkeep and maintenance on a regular basis. Much like anything in your home, if it is to preserve its aesthetic appeal, it requires a regular scrub-and-clean. So, let’s take a look at how you can care for your outdoor tiles with ease for maximum bling and long-lasting durability.

Cleaning and caring for wooden tiles

Let’s start with the most fragile material out there, the wooden tile. Wooden tiles are beautiful, there is no doubt about that, but in order to retain their shine and vibrancy, they do require proper maintenance. You can start by sweeping wood or composite tiles three to four times a week with a soft bristle broom to keep dust and debris off the surface.

The next step would be to wash the tiles once a month with a mixture of lukewarm water and a few drops of mild dish soap. Be sure to use a soft mop for this purpose, stroking the surface in overlapping circles until it is free of dirt. Don’t forget to rinse the tiles with clean water afterwards.

While monthly cleaning is required, you also want to clean any grease stains as soon as you notice them in order to avoid caked stains that can be extremely difficult to eliminate. A good upkeep idea is to deep clean your tiles twice a year with a proprietary cleaner – make sure it has sodium hypochlorite, which will help prevent mould and mildew. Lastly, avoid using abrasive cleaners at all costs.

Cleaning and caring for concrete tiles

Concrete tiles are one of the most versatile and aesthetic features in any outdoor space, as they come in a variety of colours, finishes, and designs that can enrich the outdoor area of your home. Some of the most common types in an outdoor setting include granite, slate, marble, sandstone, and limestone.

Before you get into stuck in with the cleaning and proper annual care, you should consider tile sealing as a great preventative measure for all upkeep hardships down the road. Applying a concrete sealer to your tiles is a good way to prevent damage to the surface, and make cleaning a breeze. A good sealer will also safeguard the aesthetics of the tiles from continuous sun exposure.

As far as maintenance goes, you can start by cleaning the surface with a dry mop every two days to prevent sand and grit accumulation. After that, you can use a mixture of lukewarm water and mild dish soap to thoroughly clean the surface, once every month or so. You do want to be careful with concrete, though, and mop the tiles in concentric circles in order to prevent streaking.

You can also use a bleach solution if there is a need to eliminate algae or moss accumulation. Don’t forget to rinse the surface thoroughly with clean water. As with wooden tiles, abrasive cleaning agents should be avoided at all costs.

Cleaning and caring for porcelain tiles

When it comes to cleaning and caring for porcelain tiles, it’s best to sweep the surface daily using a soft bristle brush. You can also use the adequate vacuum attachment to expedite the process. It’s important to do this regularly in order to prevent hard stains.

The next step is to clean the tiles with warm, clean water on a weekly basis. There is no need to use soap for this type of surface, as regular cleaning is sufficient to eliminate dirt and grime. Instead of leaving the tiles to dry naturally, be sure to sweep the surface with a dry cloth to avoid moisture-related problems down the road.

Once a month, you can schedule a thorough cleaning session to restore the surface to its natural beauty and shine. Mix clean, lukewarm water and ¹⁄₄ cup (about 60ml) of white vinegar in a bucket, dip the mop into the solution and proceed to mop the surface in circles in order to loosen those hard stains. After that, you want to rinse the surface with clean water and dry it thoroughly. Be sure to avoid abrasive cleaners here as well.

Tile maintenance, no matter the material, needn’t be a cumbersome chore. Rather, it should be a quick, and pain-free task that will restore the beauty of your outdoor tiles, and help them preserve their look and structural integrity throughout the years.