Tips For Cleaning Oil Stains On Kitchen Tiles, Toilet Paper, Facial Mask, Toothbrush, Shovel And Steel Wool Can All Be Used
Kitchen tiles are most affected by oil stains: necessary knowledge before deep cleaning
I am a home economist with fifteen years of experience, and I have handled at least thousands of kitchens. The tiles in the kitchen, whether they are on the wall or on the floor, are really the most troublesome "hard nut" in household cleaning work. The oil stains here are not just dust floating on the surface, but "composite pollutants" formed after the grease splashed out during the cooking process, condensed smoke and water vapor in the daily environment are mixed with each other. They accumulate and increase over time, slowly oxidizing from the original light yellow to dark brown, and then forming a sticky, dense oil film. If you just use an ordinary rag to dip in dishwashing liquid and simply wipe it, it is equivalent to "polishing" the oil stain, and there is no way to get to the root of the problem. If you want to completely refresh, you must adopt a deep cleaning strategy of layering, zoning, and targeted treatment.
Do your job well: an arsenal of options for deep cleaning
Half the battle is the right tools. Before starting a deep cleaning of ceramic tiles, we need to prepare the following types of "weapons".
1. Basic physical tools : soft-bristled toothbrush for gaps, hard-bristled brush for rough glaze, spatula with protective blade, steel wool only for extremely thick dirt and confirm the hardness of the tile, absorbent rag, sponge block.
2. Core chemical cleaners : There are heavy oil stain emulsifiers, which are alkaline for dealing with heavy oil stains, and special tile cleaners, which are neutral for daily maintenance, and alcohol or banana water, which can be used to deal with glue marks and paint, and mildew removers, which are used for cracks and black spots.
3. Auxiliary materials : toilet paper/kitchen paper towels, plastic wrap, old cotton cloth, candles.
Safety precautions include rubber gloves and masks. Most detergents are chemicals, so it is very important to protect your hands and respiratory tract.
Scenario 1: "Oil" on the wall and the method of "applying a facial mask"
The kitchen wall, especially the tiles placed directly in front of the stove, is the "frontline combat area" for oil stains. The oil stain here often appears to hang like it flows and then solidifies, and is extremely sticky.
Operation process :
Use dry pretreatment, use a spatula, tilt it at a 45-degree angle, and gently remove the thick grease on the surface, paying attention to the strength to prevent the glaze from being scratched.
2. "Put on a facial mask" for deep disintegration : This is the core method I recommend most. Place toilet paper or kitchen towel tightly on the greasy tile and spray enough heavy oil emulsifier until the paper towel is completely soaked. With the help of the adsorption capacity of paper towels, the detergent can stay on the surface of oil stains for a long time, softening and breaking down oil stains like a facial mask. Leave it for 15 to 30 minutes (if there is heavy oil stains, you can leave it on overnight).
3. Peeling off and finishing : Peel off the yellowed paper towel. At this time, most of the oil stains have been absorbed. For residual stains, use a damp rag with a small amount of detergent and wipe it gently. Finally, wipe it with a clean water cloth two to three times to remove the detergent residue.
Follow this guideline carefully: Never spray detergent directly on dry tiles and then wipe it vigorously, because doing so not only wastes the detergent, but also causes the oil stain to be spread evenly, causing a larger pollution area.
Scene 2: Annihilation battle of "old black dirt" in the cracks of ceramic tiles
The "dead spots" where stains are stored are the gaps in the ceramic tiles. Not only are there oil stains, but there are also mold and food residues, which often turn black and yellow.
Operation process :
A working method called physical gap cleaning is to use an old toothbrush with a paste mixture of baking soda and white vinegar to scrub along the gaps. This toothbrush has fine bristles that can penetrate deep into the gaps and clean out the dirt existing inside with a "sweeping" action.
2. Chemical bleaching : For stubborn mildew spots, special mildew remover can be used, squeeze it on the gap, cover it with plastic wrap, and then let it sit for several hours, using its oxidizing properties to achieve a complete bleaching and sterilization effect.
3. Ultimate protection – candle sealing . After the gap is clean and dry, take a white candle and smear it back and forth on the gap. First apply it vertically to let the wax shavings fill the depth of the gap, and then apply it horizontally to make the surface smooth. The wax of the candle can form a smooth isolation film on the surface of the gap, making it difficult for oil stains to adhere. Even if it gets stained, it can be wiped off with a rag. This is an excellent technique for extending the cleaning cycle.
Scene 3: The game between greasy dirt on the ground and daily footprints
Usually, the dust brought in by walking on the kitchen floor mixes with the oil to form a sludge similar to "floor glue", which not only looks unsightly, but also poses a slippery hazard.
Operation process :
To separate wet and dry, first use a broom or vacuum cleaner to remove floating dust and particles on the ground to prevent the brick surface from being scratched when wiping.
Add a large amount of hot water to the water used for mopping. The temperature of the hot water should be in the range of 40 to 50 degrees. At the same time, add an appropriate amount of items that act as detergents and are specifically designed to remove heavy oil stains. Hot water has the property of quickly reducing the viscosity of grease.
3. To carry out precise mopping in different areas, use a flat mop to soak in cleaning fluid, and place the key soaking areas in places with the most serious oil stains, such as trash cans and under sinks. If you encounter extremely thick soiled areas, you can use steel wool and detergent to perform local polishing. However, you must first test in a less conspicuous area to prevent the polished tiles from being scratched.
From the comparison of effects, for floors that have not been deeply cleaned, after mopping, the water stains gradually dry up, but the ground is still sticky, and if you step on it, you will leave footprints. The difference is that after being treated through the steps mentioned above, the original astringency of the tiles can be restored and the glossiness of the floor is significantly improved.
Detailed treatment and special stain control
The beauty of deep cleaning lies in the attention to detail:
-The area next to the hardware, that is, the tiles around the faucet and soap dispenser, often show white scale and rust. You need to use an acidic cleaner (such as citric acid) to wipe it to neutralize the alkaline dirt and neutralize the alkaline dirt.
2. Adhesive treatment : Do not use hard objects to scratch the stickers and label marks on the ceramic tiles. You should use a hair dryer to blow it with hot air to soften it, or use a rag to dip a small amount of banana water or alcohol into it and wipe it repeatedly to dissolve the colloid in an instant without leaving any traces.
Three points, paint: If you accidentally drop paint on the ceramic tiles during decoration, you must use the corresponding chemical solvent (such as turpentine or special thinner) to wipe it gently. You must not remove it violently, so as not to damage the luster of the brick surface.
Pothole avoidance guide and daily maintenance suggestions
Three major pitfalls :
1. Avoid using acid indiscriminately : Although acidic cleaners can remove dirt quickly, if they are used frequently, they will corrode the glaze, causing the tiles to lose their original luster and become matte.
2. Avoid excessive use of steel wire balls: Once the smooth glazed tiles are made with fine marks by steel wire balls, they will become more likely to harbor dirt and evil practices in the future.
It is prohibited to soak in accumulated water. When cleaning, do not allow water to accumulate on the ground or in the corners of walls for a long time to avoid moisture seeping through fine cracks, which may cause hollowing or odor.
Routine maintenance :
Adhering to the "clean as you go" principle, after cooking every day, take a small amount of dishwashing liquid on a damp rag and quickly wipe the wall around the stove. Mop the floor thoroughly once a week with a neutral detergent. Carry out waxing on the tiles once a month or quarterly (especially for polished tiles). This operation can build a protective layer on the surface, making it difficult for oil stains to adhere, greatly reducing the difficulty of cleaning in the future. By mastering these professional methods, your kitchen tiles can stay shiny and new for a long time.
