If you have an interlocking tile garage floor or you are considering purchasing one, then we are sure you have heard how easy they are to maintain. But do you really know how to clean interlocking floor tiles? It’s important to learn the correct way to clean and maintain hard plastic tiles properly to ensure the best results.
To be clear, the tiles we are referring to are the high-impact plastic polypropylene garage tiles by manufacturers such as RaceDeck, Swisstrax, Big Floors, and TrueLock just to name a few. If you are inquiring about the softer rubber-like PVC tiles, we will be discussing those in a future article.
Do Garage floor tiles get Very dirty?
This might seem like a silly question at first. Of course, the tiles get dirty, but they don’t get dirty in the way that you may think.
Hard plastic interlocking tiles are made of high-impact non-porous polymers. The dirt and grime that they collect tend to sit on top of the tiles. It does not reside within the surface of the tiles like it typically does with bare concrete or other semi-porous surfaces. This is the primary reason why it can be difficult to stain most polypropylene garage tiles.
Since dirt and grime tend to sit on the surface, the cleaning techniques and products used are slightly different than other floor cleaning methods.
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Cleaning and maintenance tips
For routine maintenance of interlocking garage tiles, there are a few cleaning items you can use that work very well.
The first is a dust mop. Dirt and dust that routinely find their way into a garage will collect on top of the tile.
A dust mop works very well for wiping up light stuff on a regular basis. This is especially true for darker colors, such as black and dark gray. They tend to show dust and footprints more than other colors.
Another would be the use of a soft-bristled push broom. These are excellent for sweeping up the finer dust and dirt as well as the small pebbles from tires that collect on top of the tile. They are a good choice for brushing off the dust that collects on the ribs of the self-draining tiles as well.
Our favorite is this 24″ broom from Amazon.
If you have a shop vac, a brush attachment is an excellent way to sweep and remove the dirt at the same time. It works especially well on the free flow, self-draining style of tiles that may have dried mud and debris that has attached itself to the ribs of the tile. We like this one here.
Be careful about using the standard floor attachment when using a shop vac. Sandy dirt and debris that is rubbed between the tile and the floor attachment can act as a mild abrasive. Over time, it can cause microscopic scratches to the surface of the tile which may dull the finish.
Best cleaning products for interlocking tiles
As easy as it is to maintain these floors, there will come a time when the floor needs more than routine maintenance from a broom or vacuum.
We are talking about cleaning the mess left over after a snowstorm or days of heavy rain. This also includes the occasional scuff marks, stubborn grease from working on your cars, or the general mess that gets tracked around from that weekend project that you just completed.
For regular cleaning, mop interlocking tiles with an ammonia-based non-sudsing floor cleaner. Our favorite is Parsons ammonia.
This type of cleaner is streak-free, it does not leave a film or residue on the floor, and does a good job of bringing back the shine.
Stay away from sudsing film-forming cleaners as they will act like a magnet on plastic and attract dust and dirt. This increases how often you need to clean or sweep and the surface can get slippery when wet.
Buff out any scuff marks that mopping did not remove with a rag or soft scrub pad dipped in your cleaning solution. A short bristled deck brush is also great for scrubbing the more stubborn marks while you mop as well.
We also like using a microfiber mop pad. It makes for fast and easy work. Our favorite to use is this 18″ Professional Mop from Amazon.
We also like the fact that you get a dust mop pad as well as two mop pads.
Another product that does a great job is the waterless wash concentrates that detailers use for cars. Use just 2 ounces of concentrate to 2 gallons of water. This one by 3D is a great value and does a good job.
These waterless cleaners will not streak or form a residue on the surface. Plus, they will leave your interlocking tiles looking shiny and clean.
For the more stubborn and difficult-to-remove tire marks, grease, and general smudges, use a few drops of solvent on a rag. Examples are mineral spirits or Goof Off. Clean small areas at a time and do not attempt to clean the entire floor this way.
RaceDeck cleaning kit
To our knowledge, RaceDeck is the only company that actually offers a commercial cleaning kit for interlocking tiles. The kit includes their pH-balanced All-Purpose cleaner, Scuff Remover, Restore, and Renovator Cleaner.
Their Restore solution is particularly interesting. According to RaceDeck, it’s an acrylic solution that you mop on after cleaning that will bring back the life and shine to high traffic areas of your floor. We have not had the chance to try it out ourselves, but we have heard positive feedback from consumers who have used Restore.
When we contacted RaceDeck they said their cleaning kit line was designed to be used on all RaceDeck polypropylene tile products as well as similar interlocking tile floor products from their subsidiary company Big Floors.
When asked about using their product on interlocking tiles from other manufacturers, they suggested contacting the manufacturer first to check for compatibility.
You can find more information about the RaceDeck cleaners by contacting them here.
If you are ever unsure about what products to use or how to spot-clean a particular contaminant on the tile, always test it first in a small area or consult the manufacturer.
Knowing how to clean interlocking floor tiles can make a big difference in how happy you are with your garage floor. If you follow these cleaning and maintenance tips you should have a worry-free floor that will look great for years to come.
Jon R. says
Regarding cleaning of polypropylene floor tiles, I did a little experiment with a “magic eraser” type of sponge on my Racedeck Tuffshield floor. Had some cutoff leftovers in black and white. DON’T DO IT. The mild abrasive texture of the sponge took the finish right off the black tiles, completely dulling it. Not very noticeable on the white but basically would ruin the black finish. Stick with mild microfiber towels or non abrasive sponges and cleaning solutions as mentioned in the above article.
Shea says
Great advice Ron and thanks for making people aware of what can happen if you get a little too creative. You did the right thing however by testing first on cut offs.
Jon says
I just discovered the PERFECT cleaner for my white tiles! Spray on some Eagle One A2Z All Wheel and Tire Cleaner (avail on Amazon or most car parts stores), wait a minute, then a little elbow grease with a microfiber towel and voila!!
Shea says
Excellent! Great tip Jon.
David says
Can you hose them down?
Shea says
You sure can, David. Some people with drains or the proper slope to their garage floor do that all the time.
ROBERT GALLUCCI says
Can I power wash?
Shea says
Hi Robert. As long as you use a wide angle tip you can power wash interlocking tiles. Power washers can actually etch concrete with a narrow angle tip and high pressure, so you want to be careful when power washing interlocking tiles.
Julie says
I have installed indoors for a Route 66 themed outdoor kitchen that’s indoors. I’ve found just a quick steam clean cleans the white tiles in a few seconds. I don’t let the steam mop sit still.
Shea says
Hi Julie. Thanks for your tip! Yes, a steam mop can work very well for interlocking tiles.
Fred A. says
Curious if anyone knows how to bring tiles back to life. Mine lost the reflectiveness and are dull. Can I apply something to get that semi-wet-look back? I miss seeing my overhead lights reflecting on the floor.
Shea Walker says
Hello Fred. RaceDeck makes a product called RaceDeck Tile Restore. We’ve never had the need to use it, but we have seen the results of people who have. It seems to work well. You can find it here.