How To Clean Cooking Grease From Ceramic Tile

Between the kitchen and the bathroom, it seems that there is always something that needs cleaning in the home.

Both rooms see heavy use and some potentially large messes, so maintaining a regular cleaning routine is the best way to save time with chores and keep your home free of harmful bacteria. Kitchens, in particular, are sometimes the site of tough spills like cooking grease, which can be stubborn if it isn't cleaned up right away — the right way.

To clean cooking grease from your ceramic tiles, all you'll need is some soap, water, degreaser and a gentle towel to get your surfaces back to normal.

What's the best way to clean tiles? Gently! Cleaning a ceramic tile floor or counter is similar to cleaning other types of flooring, although the tools you use may need to be a little easier on the surface of your tiles. Because some ceramic tiles are glazed, abrasive cleaning tools and products like harsh scrubbing bristles, bleach or ammonia can damage the tile's coating or the grout in between the tiles.

Instead of using an abrasive kitchen tile cleaner, wipe up as much of the spilled cooking grease as you can with a clean, damp towel. Then, use a mop with a soft head attachment to mop the area down with a degreasing cleaning product and warm water. If your grease spill or splatter has landed on the kitchen counter, use a microfiber cloth to wipe down the affected area.

Cleaning up most liquid spills will only require that the mess be lifted and the area wiped clean. But if you have a grease spill or oil splatter on your ceramic tiles, you'll want to take an extra step. Whether your grease spill landed on your tile floor, countertop or backsplash, treating the stain with a degreasing agent will ensure that stain is entirely erased and that no accidental slippage will occur after the fact.

You can make a grease-cutting cleanser easily at home for just a few dollars. In a spray bottle, add about 1 cup of white vinegar, a spoonful of baking soda, a squirt of Castile soap and enough water to fill the bottle. Give it a good shake, then spray it onto the area where the grease stain was located. Let it sit for a few minutes before scrubbing the solution into the spill and wiping clean with a soft, clean towel.

If you don't prefer to go the natural route, or if you have a particularly large spill or stubborn stain that vinegar just doesn't seem to lift, you can find several surface cleaning options at your local grocery or hardware store. Just about any spray cleaner that's labeled "multi-surface" will be the right solution to deep clean tile floor or backsplashes.

However, if your tile is coated in glaze, like porcelain tiles often are, you will want to opt out of using sprays formulated with bleach or ammonia. These chemicals can negatively affect the shiny surface of your tiles. Honest Multi-Surface Cleaner is a gentle cleanser that's tough on grease and is available in a variety of scents. Simple Green, which is non-toxic and biodegradable, is also an available option.