How to clean a tiled floor?

[randomsabreuse]

The only surviving bit of original flooring in our moneypit house is about 1 metre square of tiles of a variety of colours. They weren't exactly clean when we moved in and have had workmen plus us and dog trampling over them.

So far I have scrubbed with a scrubbing brush with neat cif floor cleaner after a basic mop did nothing. They are better but not great.

Ideas much appreciated - would be nice to have a clean entrance and they've been annoying me for ages!

Those tiles are gorgeous. You can always try with a fancy bleach, I'm sure there will be no grime afterwards.

They look like old unglazed tiles? If they've been left dirty for a long time then this could have soaked into them and you're unlikely to get it out.
I'd maybe try calling/emailing the tile museum at Jackfield as they might be able to help. I'd personally be wary of using abrasive or bleach based cleaning products in case they damage the tiles.

Thanks.

House is 30s/40s ex council and they're on top of vinyl so not that old I assume. Can't tell if glazed but think they are. Rough texture is trapping dirt I think.

Possibly steam cleaner or "better " scrubbing brush? To get stuff out of the dips. Patience and elbow grease possible if a solution is likely. Most bothered about the whites and yellows tbh - variety of colours hides sins but the white ones look grimy. The ones that are easier to scrub do look better than the ones in the corners suggesting effort might be the answer.

Would prefer some magic concoction of bicarb and vinegar rather than copious amounts of bleach as have 5 month old around in the windows of opportunity...

Try mopping or scrubbing with sugar soap solution. I've found the easiest to use is the liquid you dilute. Maybe try the dilution they suggest for cleaning before painting first? Worked a treat on sticky, greasy floors when we moved into this house.

It's an irritant though so wear gloves!

I also found a steamer and a toothbrush plus some Astonish paste sorted out the grouting in our kitchen. It stank of rancid fat as I scrubbed it all out and I discovered it wasn't actually supposed to be black!

you can get specialist deep cleaners from Lithofin. There about £10-15 but would work quickly without damaging the tiles.

Awesome thanks. That Lithofin looks great for many irritating jobs around the house - previous owners were very careless with paint etc!