apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

bleach, baby!

Has anyone tried a steam cleaner, such as the ladybug (from allergybuyersclub.com)?

I swear by the Mr. Clean Magic Eraser. That thing will clean almost anything.

i made a paste of oxi clean and left it on overnight to get my nyc hex tiles clean... once clean, look into having them resealed. i think that was the problem with mine. good luck.

I had these same tiles in my last house. Magic Eraser cleaned them right up. Takes a few, though, to cover the whole floor.

We have similar tile and have been able to keep it clean using our dry steam cleaner (we have the Whitewing one from allergy buyersclub.com but we lust after the ladybug). It steams all of the dirt out of the porous tile (and grout). We also have been able to minimize additional staining by using strategically placed throw rugs/bathmats.

Oh, I'm very interested in this, too, though my bathroom tiles are original to the building (1910). There seems to be a level of dinge that I just can't get rid of, even with abrasive cleaners.

Can anyone recommend a resealer, as per Evan's comment, above? I'd love to get the tiles bright and then keep them that way.

I use the Target-brand magic erasers on my tile floors and they work wonders. I'm also a huge fan of borax!

Definitely make sure to re-seal them. There are different sealers for different tile, so make sure you get the right kind. It's not hard to do yourself, and makes a big difference when it comes to keeping tile clean.

Use Comet.

Then seal the floor. I'm scratching my head over why they're not sealed in the first place.

I would not use anything abraisive that would just scratch the tiles more. They should have been sealed in the first place. Clean them with a bleach based liquid cleaner and then seal them well. Depending on how porous the tiles are you might have permanently dameaged them. Go to home depot or wherever and ask the tile guy.

I would use the stuff that they sell to clean ceramic cooktop stoves. I have used this stuff on lots of items and always succcessfully

Bar keepers friend is my favorite cleaner for things that are porcelain. I know it isn't au naturel...but really works...if the vinegar doesn't. Vinegar is an awesome cleaner as well.

I agree with Magic Eraser proponents, I've managed to remove many stains without apparently damaging a surface, with my Magic Eraser, that I was sure were permanent. How does it work? Magic!

I've also had luck with lots of stains on porous hard surfaces like marble, porcelain, and formica, by making a thick paste of Comet, putting it on the stained spot(s) covered with a moist paper towel for a few hours, and then just mopping up the Comet. It acts like a poultice, drawing out the stain. As labchick pointed out, don't scrub with an abrasive cleaner if you can help it!

There are non-shiny sealers that you can use, to protect a surface like this and still keep it looking sort of old-fashioned. I'd recommend going to a tub and tile store and asking for advice.

Sherry over at
http://www.thisyounghouse.com/2008/03/bathroom-breakthrough/

Used 40% peroxide (purchased at a beauty supply store) overnight on her bathroom tile floor.

I love the Mr. Clean Magic Eraser. I swear by it! My friends say I'm a walking advertisement for them! They really do clean almost anything.