There’s so much to think about anyway. Should you get a corded or cordless model? How about the bags?
If your home or business has tiled floors, you need to think carefully about getting the right solution for your cleaning requirements.
There are a few things to take into consideration.
More and more homes these days come with multiple flooring surfaces. It’s very common to have a mixture of carpet, hard floors and rugs.
Very few houses have only tiled floors. More often, you’ll have them in one or two rooms with carpet or wooden flooring elsewhere.
For commercial enterprises, though, tiled flooring throughout is pretty standard.
Vacuums with retractable beater brushes are by far the smartest choice for anyone with mixed flooring. These motorized brushes can wreak havoc on hard surfaces.
Think about the layout and choose accordingly. The last thing you want is scratches and imperfections on your tiling because you chose the wrong type of vacuum.
TYPE OF TILED FLOOR
Contents
When it comes to tiles, they can be broadly divided into 2 categories:
- Ceramic/Glazed Tiles
- Quarry Tiles
CERAMIC/GLAZED TILES
There is a wide range of methods for producing ceramic tiles. They can be formed in molds, machines or by hand.
All types of ceramic tile are air dried first of all.
Some are glazed straight away then fired again to high temperatures. Thin tiles like this are perfect for walls.
Other tiles are fired, glazed and refired. Tiles like this work well for flooring.
The glazing on ceramic tiles gives them a nicely water resistant covering. This is why they are sometimes referred to as glazed tiles.
You’ve got all options open to you when it comes to cleaning ceramic tiles. From a mop and bucket through to a specialized vacuum, think about what suits you best.
QUARRY TILES
Quarry tiles are made from red clay. These tiles can be shaped by hand or machine.
During the manufacturing process, these tiles are dried then fired in large kilns. The clay tiles are fired to extremely high temperatures. This makes them very dense and non-porous. They are also water resistant and they have a very low rate of water absorption.
Although it’s possible to glaze quarry tiles, it’s not the norm. Most quarry tiles are left in their natural unglazed state.
Different coloring can be achieved on quarry tiles by placing them in assorted areas of the kiln. They give a real rust effect and are often used for porches and walkways.
Quarry tiles are generally harder to clean than their ceramic counterparts. Dirt gets stuck quite easily in the grooves and indentations.
Vacuums with a wash option are probably the safest bet. These will both clean and disinfect the flooring.
THE METHOD FOR CLEANING TILE FLOORS?
MOP AND BUCKET
The tried and true method of a bucket of water and a regular mop always gets tiled floors shining.
It’s not for everyone but it’s certainly effective.
Remember: Sweep up before mopping. This might sound obvious but too many people end up with a bucket full of dirt and debris after skipping this crucial step and reaching straight for the mop.
1. VACUUMS FOR TILED FLOORS
If you think a mop and bucket is too much physical work, you’ve got 2 options if you’re looking for the tiled floors vacuum:
- Multi-Purpose Vac
- Hard Floor/Tile Floor Vac
MULTI-PURPOSE VAC
Since the majority of houses have mixed flooring, buying a versatile vacuum often makes sense.
Not only will you save money if you buy just one vacuum, you’ll also need less storage space.
Look for vacuums with a motorized brush roll or beater bar that you can switch on or off easily. This works wonders on carpets but will scratch and damage any hard flooring if you leave it switched on.
Many vacuums have coated wheels stopping the scuffing and marking that can plague your tiled floors.
HARD FLOOR/TILE FLOOR VAC
Whatever brand you like, they’ll sell a straight-up hard floor vacuum.
These models have no brush roll. They don’t really work well on carpets and they are strictly a one-trick pony.
On the plus side, they do their job very well and they are not expensive either.
2. STEAM MOPS FOR TILED FLOORS
Another option for keeping your tiling pristine is a steam mop. These are designed for this very purpose.
Most steam mops have a water tank with a heating element. You’ll get a replaceable pad and you can alter the steam settings to your requirements.
You’ll generally get 15 to 20 minutes action out of a single tank.
The leading advantage of a steam mop is that it doesn’t just clean but also sanitizes. For catering businesses and other commercial establishments, maintaining hygiene often means rolling out the steam mop.
Some models demand added detergent. Make sure this is suitable for the flooring you will clean.
Ideally, you should use distilled water in your steam mop. This prevents the ugly build-up of mineral deposits you can get with tap water.
Also, make sure you sweep the space thoroughly before using the steam mop. You risk deeply scratched surfaces if you leave dust and particles everywhere.
3. VACUUM/MOP ALL-IN-ONE
A less common choice is a vacuum and mop combined in one unit.
Most of these allow you to use it as a regular vac, to wash the floor and then to suck up the cleaning water leaving your tiled floors almost bone dry.
This multi-functionality is obviously useful. They won’t work as well as a dedicated vacuum but they’ll certainly serve a turn. For cleaning, they excel.
On the downside, they are bulky, heavy appliances. They’re not for everyone.
THINGS TO CONSIDER
- Think about the proportion of tiled floors you have relative to other surfaces. If you have mostly tiling, it’s worth investing in a steam mop or a top-notch floor vacuum
- As with all vacuums, prioritize HEPA-filtration if anyone in your family has allergies or asthma. This S-Class filtration reduced small particles and irritants belched back into the atmosphere through the exhaust
- Do you have children? A steam mop that sanitizes is invaluable
- Is storage space at a premium? Perhaps you live in a smaller apartment. Multi-purpose vacs make a great choice
- For pet owners, the powerful hard floor vacuums make sense and suck up animal hair and mess with ease
Now you know what to look out for and what type of cleaning approach suits you best, we’ll present a selection of great vacs and steam mops.
BEST TILE FLOORS VACUUM REVIEWS
1. BISSELL 81L2A
If you have animals at home, you’ll know only too well the pain of keeping all that hair, dander and spilled food clean.
With the wrong vacuum, hair will tangle around the brush bar or become lodged in the filter.
For anyone with hard flooring and pets, the Bissell PowerEdge offers you the perfect combination with this pet/hard floor vac.
The PowerEdge works on low-pile carpets and short rugs but will not respond well to area rugs. Think about this if you have mixed flooring.
The pioneering V-shape dramatically improves suction. This is exactly what you want for grubby tile floors and animal hair. Larger debris is directed along the center while fine particles are trapped by the end suction paths.
Moving around is super-simple with Bissell’s swivel steering. Getting under furniture or into other hard-to-reach areas is a breeze.
Corded vacuums are more restrictive since you need access to a power supply. Luckily, Bissell supplies a 20-foot cord meaning you have at least a little freedom. With a push of a button, the quick release cord retracts automatically saving you a job. Weighing a mere 7 pounds, mobility is uppermost with the Bissell.
The motor is only 5-amp but you’ll get more than enough suction for most needs. The innovative V-shaped design lets you suck up pet hair with ease. It also makes cleaning around baseboards straightforward.
There’s no HEPA filtration on the PowerEdge. You’ll get a simple pleated filter which combines with cyclonic action to keep fine particles, pet hair and dander in the dirt cup not back in the air.
The dust cup is transparent so you can keep a close eye on when it needs emptying. You should do this frequently with bagless vacs, every time you use them, ideally. Emptying the cup is not a messy procedure.
If you’re looking for a powerful but lightweight vacuum that’s perfectly desigtined for tile floors, think long and hard about the Bissell PowerEdge. It’s very reasonably priced and will deliver in fine style.
2. HOOVER FH40160PC
Hoover’s FloorMate comes with the tagline, “The Ultimate Hard Floor Cleaner”. Does this bold claim stand up?
Hoover are true heavyweights in the vacuum industry. In the United Kingdom, vacuums are generally called “hoovers” which shows how the brand has seeped into the minds of customers.
Keeping on top of tiled floors takes some effort. You’ll need a preliminary sweep to make sure all the dust is clear. You’ll want to scrub any high-traffic areas with residue left behind then mop up any water left behind.
If that sounds like too much hard work, the FloorMate is a great solution.
The FH40160PC is the newer version of the FH40010B. This time, there’s no vacuum functionality but in return the unit is a full 2 pounds lighter.
Counter-rotating SpinScrub brushes agitate the dirt and then it’s scrubbed up leaving your tiled floors sparkling clean. There’s no need to dry the floors either. The suction and squeegee work together to leave things bone dry. Wash mode takes advantage of the brushes while simultaneously sucking up surplus water. Hit dry mode and the brushes will stop so that drying time is dramatically improved.
The water tank has a generous capacity of 5 quarts. Even if you have a larger home, you can get cleaning without needing to keep filling the tank. There is also a separate tank so that the dirty water is separated rather than put back onto the floor. This is the main drawback of using a conventional manual mop and one of the key selling points of the FloorMate.
The cord is 27 feet long which should give you ample movement to clean even bigger spaces without needing to unplug.
You’ll get 2 brushes provided. One is more delicate and suited to hardwood while a coarser one delivers first-rate cleaning of any tiled flooring.
If you notice any areas that need deeper cleaning, fingertip controls allow you to apply some extra detergent where it’s most needed.
Often, people are concerned about using water and cleaning solutions on sealed floors. The FloorMate is absolutely safe to use on ceramic tiles floors, marble flors, hardwood floors, laminate floors and vinyl so you have all bases nicely covered.
The last thing you need is to spend an excessive time cleaning up after you have finished cleaning up! With the Hoover, the tanks, nozzles and brushes can all be removed and rinsed fuss-free.
For such a heavy-duty cleaning machine, the Hoover is surprisingly light. Weighing in at just 14 pounds, you can clean for extended periods without straining yourself.
If you have tiled floors and want a real shine without breaking a sweat, the Hoover FloorMate is well worth popping on your shortlist.
You can buy with complete confidence covered by a 2-year limited warranty from Hoover.
3. SHARK ROCKET AH402
Shark has an outstanding reputation in the field of vacuums. They are most famous for their heavyweight uprights but the Rocket is a twist on this concept…
Most regular uprights have the motor on the body. Suction is achieved through a series of hoses. The motor on the Rocket is much further down by the cleaning head. This is what Shark has termed the PowerHead. This tweak improves efficiency since the dirt has less distance to travel. The shift in weight also enhances mobility.
For homeowners with tiled floors, the Rocket comes with 2 brushes. The soft, bristled brush is tailor made for hard floors. There is also a stiffer brush that will help you to buff up any carpeted areas with ease.
At juts 9 pounds, the Rocket is as light as uprights get. The swivel steering further assists easy maneuverability. With a 25-foot cord, you won’t have quite the scope of a cordless but you should have ample room to clean even larger areas.
The fingertip controls make the Rocket a very user-friendly experience. There’s no need to keep bending down to switch the vacuum on and off. The dirt cup and brushes are very easy to remove. The design and weighting means that it only feels like 1 pound when it’s in use so you can clean even a big house without straining yourself.
There are a few downsides to watch out for with the Rocket. It always pays to think about your precise circumstances so you can see if any snags would be deal-breakers…
There’s no HEPA-filtration and the post-motor filter is not great. Take this into account if you have any allergies or suffer from asthma.
The dirt cup is pretty small and fills up very quickly. The agitation is also slightly weaker than you will find on more substantial uprights.
Overall, if you’re looking for a super-lightweight upright with a difference, take a closer look at the Shark Rocket PowerHead. For cleaning tiled floors, it’s hard to beat.
Shark backs their products with an excellent 5-year warranty so you can buy with total peace of mind.
4. BISSELL 1940
It is a steam mop. As outlined above, for many people a steam mop is the preferred option for dealing with tiled floors so we have included one of the very best on the market.
With Bissell, you know that you will get a top-notch appliance at a very reasonable price. Budget is always key when looking for any new product but it’s no good buying a cheap option at the expense of build quality. Bissell gives you the best of both worlds.
If you have kids or pets at home or perhaps a commercial establishment, sometimes simply vacuuming tiled floors is not enough. With the steam mop, you can also sanitize the floors and see of 99.9% of all germs and nasty bacteria.
Although you can get more powerful steamers than the 1940, what you get here is a wonderful package of performance and portability. Even with a full tank, you can carry the Bissell up and down stairs without breaking your back.
Filling the water tank with a pint of water, ideally distilled, gives you enough to clean your house with maybe a single top-up needed. The steam will loosen the dirt and it’s lifted away by the microfiber pad.
Sanitizing is a cinch. You can choose from low, medium or high steam settings. These are controlled on the panel and the display is clear. Febreze Spring Breeze fragrance discs will add a lovely smell once everything is clean as a whistle.
The 23-foot power cord is long enough to give you the space to clean larger areas.
As with all Bissell products, you’ll be protected by a 2-year limited warranty.
If you have plenty of tiled floors and you want them buffed clean and sanitized into the bargain, the PowerFresh steam mop will not replace a vacuum but it will make a superb addition to your cleaning arsenal.
5. SHARK NAVIGATOR (NV356E)
Next one is another top-tier model from Shark’s impressive range, the very well-respected Navigator Lift-Away Professional.
While the steam mop fills a very narrow gap, the Navigator is multi-purpose. Not only will you be able to clean both carpeted and hard floors, you can also remove the canister by hitting a button.
Although it weighs almost 14 pounds, the Navigator is as easy to move around as its name suggests. Swivel sterring helps you to access even tight, awkward spots.
Be careful when using the Shark on your tiled floors. There is a beater brush which is brilliant on carpet but can damage hard floor. Be certain to switch this off when you move onto your tiles.
Anyone suffering from allergies or asthma is in safe hands with the Navigator. A HEPA filter along with Shark’s patented Anti-Allergen Complete Seal Technology keep even the tiniest airborne irritants safely tucked inside.
With a wide cleaning path and a powerful 1100W motor, you’ll get incredible suction and great cleaning efficiency.
The Navigator is bagless with a filter you can wash then re-use. When considering the price, look also at the savings you will make over time. Bags and filters can add up in the long-run.
Included with the Navigator is a respectable set of attachments. You’ll get the usual crevice tool and dusting brush, a pet power brush for any stray animal hairs, a hardfloor attachment perfect for your tiled floors and even a couple of microfiber pads thrown in.
With a substantial capacity, a lengthy 30-foot cord and Never Loses Suction Technology, you’ll get a truly outstanding cleaning solution if you opt for the Shark Navigator.
For an inexpensive and durable upright that will leave your tiled flooring spotless, test the Navigator today and consider bringing a Shark home to play!
CONCLUSION
We hope you’ve found these reviews useful and informative.
Whatever approach you decide upon, you’re in safe hands with any of the above vacuums. If you think carefully about your cleaning needs, getting the tiled floors vacuum need not give you a headache.
Now go and get things sparkling clean!