When it comes to tile floors, there are many different ones you can find, some that are made of natural stone and others, with artificial materials. Ceramic tiles are typically the most common type of tiled floor, followed by marble and granite tiles.
Although these tiles are commonly stain-resistant, you may occasionally find marks, streaks, and scratches on them from time to time. Tire marks are usually caused by bicycles, toy bikes, wheelchairs, and similar products.
Fortunately, these marks and streaks are easy to clean and can be removed using a few simple methods. In this article, we will guide you through the most effective ways on cleaning all types of tire marks from tile floors.
1. Using a Store-Bought Solution
The easiest way to clean tire marks from tiled floors is to use a store-bought solution. These cleaning products are designed to be used for tiled surfaces and can clean tough stains within minutes.
To help you select the right option, we have listed our top two choices for products that you can buy right off the shelf.
Tile Cleaner
A tile cleaner is the most effective way to remove any type of rubber or tiles marks from tile floors. However, while tile cleaners offer this convenience, they are generally more expensive than the other methods mentioned below.
Tile cleaners generally contain ingredients such as C9-11 Pareth and sodium carbonate that help to resolve any form of residue, such as tire marks, safely from floor files. While any type of floor cleaner is suitable, we recommend using the Black Diamond Marble & Tile Cleaner, or something similar.
It’s also important to use a cleaner that is suitable for the type of tiles you have. Here are some tiles that these cleaners work well on:
- Marble
- Limestone
- Granite
- Ceramic
- Quartz
- Slate
Take note that tile cleaners are often concentrated and need to be mixed with water. Follow the instructions below for more details:
- Mix about 2 to 4 ounces of the tile cleaner with 1 gallon of water and stir well. You may scale this down to the amount you need. It’s best to check the directions of each cleaner, as they may differ.
- Use a soft cloth and dab it into the tile-cleaning solution. Make sure that you don’t drench it; often a small amount is good enough.
- Then, use light to moderate pressure to rub off the tire marks from your floor tiles. Make sure that you don’t scratch the tile, rather place the soft cloth with the solution under the index finger and rub in back-and-forth motions.
- The tire mark should come right off. For tough rubber stains, use slightly more cleaning product and pressure.
Mineral Spirits
Mineral spirits such as WD-40 are good options for cleaning rubber makes on tiled floors. We recommend wearing gloves while cleaning with any mineral spirits and not applying too much pressure while cleaning the marks.
This could lead to discoloration or staining of tiles. Furthermore, it is also recommended to keep the room well-ventilated and remember only a moderate amount of product.
To remove tire marks from floor tiles with mineral spirits, follow the steps mentioned below:
- The first step of the process is to follow all necessary safety precautions. We recommend testing the product in an inconspicuous spot beforehand to check if it works for your tiled flooring. Aside from that, we also recommend that you wear gloves to protect yourself.
- If WD-40 works according to your needs, spray some of it onto a paper towel or soft cloth. Use an appropriate amount of product according to the size of the tire mark and refrain from using the cleaning solution excessively.
- Rub the paper towel or soft cloth gently over the tire mark and ensure not to apply too much pressure. We recommend rubbing the mark in small, circular motions.
- Once the rubber marks have been lifted off the floor, proceed to wipe the tiles with a damp cloth and wash the affected area thoroughly. Once the floor is free from all residue, let it dry naturally.
Orange Degreaser
Using an Orange Degreaser is another great method to clean tire scuffs from tiled floors. It’s a commercial-grade degreaser that can remove almost any type of residue or stain.
It also has a hidden bonus! This degreaser smells refreshing and can help eliminate any odor from your flooring. Although it is more expensive than other cleaning options, it is worth the investment since you can use it to clean other stains on various surfaces (linoleum, cloth, leather, metal, carpet, and more).
Follow the steps below to remove tire marks safely off your tiles with an Orange Degreaser:
- Pour a small amount of orange degreaser onto a clean and soft cloth.
- Rub the scuffed or stained spots on the tiles with the cloth. We recommend using a gentle, circular motion when doing this.
- Usually, the tire mark can be removed easily with one application. However, if the stain persists, repeat the aforementioned steps until the mark has vanished completely.
- Then, we recommend wiping away the residue of the degreaser with a damp cloth. This will make sure that your tiled flooring looks clean and shiny.
2. Using a Tennis Ball
An unusual but effective way you can clean rubber or tire marks from your tiled floors is to use a tennis ball. Take note that you’ll need to use a clean tennis ball (preferably one that hasn’t been used before).
Tennis balls are also great for removing other types of scuff marks on tiles, as the thick felt surface can pick up residue effectively. Rubber doesn’t bond with or stick to tiles easily, making them fairly easy to remove.
If you’re willing to give the tennis ball method a try, follow the steps below:
- Rub the felt surface of the tennis ball on the rubber marks on the tile. Ensure to apply adequate pressure while buffing with the tennis ball.
- Wipe the floor with a damp cloth or paper towel to check how well this method works for your flooring.
- Keep rubbing the floor until the tire mark has completely vanished, and wipe it with a damp cloth afterward.
- If you still notice any rubber residue on your tiles, try adding a light tile cleaning solution and try the steps above again.
3. Using an Eraser
Although it may seem counter-intuitive, this method is highly recommended for smaller scuffs or tire marks on your tiled flooring. Erasers are usually made of natural or synthetic rubber and when friction is applied the tire marks bond and get picked up by the eraser.
It is convenient and easy to use since you can easily find an eraser at home. Avoid using colored erasers since they can further stain tiles and ruin their appearance.
Here are the steps you need to follow when using an eraser:
- Rub the marks on the tiles with the plain eraser until the mark has completely vanished.
- Ensure to sweep away the rubber residue since it can also leave behind marks on the tiled surface. Don’t add any cleaning solution, as you’ll need to create friction.
- Repeat the process for all the minor marks on the floor until the tiled flooring is perfectly clean and spotless.
4. Using a Homemade Solution
There are also a variety of homemade solutions you can use to clean tire marks from any type of tile. Here are some of the most popular and effective methods that we suggest:
Water and Dish Detergent
If you don’t have any dedicated cleaning solutions readily available, you may consider giving dish detergent a try. Although it might take a bit of effort to remove tire marks using just water and dish detergent, we recommend that you test this method with the following steps:
- Mix 1 tablespoon of mild dish detergent with ½ a gallon of warm water to make a cleaning solution.
- Use a soft cloth to soak the solution and rub the tire marks away with it.
- Allow the solution to sit on the tire marks for a while before rubbing them away. This allows the grease or scuff marks to dissolve in the solution.
- Once the scuff marks have been removed properly, wash away all residue with clean water and allow the tiles to dry.
Baking Soda Paste
Baking soda is one of the most effective cleaning and stain-removing ingredients found at home. It is incredibly versatile and can be used for baking as well as cleaning tough-to-remove stains.
To clean scuff and tire marks from tiles using baking soda, follow the steps mentioned below:
- Keep adding a few drops of water into a cup with 2 tablespoons of baking soda until a thick mixture is formed.
- Take a soft, clean cloth to scoop the paste and apply it onto the mark. Let the paste sit for at least half an hour before removing it with a lightly damp cloth.
- Using circular motions when removing the paste may be more effective. Then, repeat the process if necessary.
Toothpaste
Toothpaste is also a great ingredient that can be used to remove dirt, tire marks, and scuffs from tiled floors. Here are the steps for using toothpaste:
- Take a small amount of toothpaste and apply it to a clean and dry cloth.
- Rub the toothpaste with the cloth onto the tire mark using firm, circular motions. Focus on spreading the toothpaste only on the affected areas and rub the marks until they are completely gone.
- Clean the residue with a damp paper towel or cloth and repeat the process if necessary.
How to Avoid Getting Tire Marks on Tiles
Prevention is always better than cure. Therefore, the best way you can avoid tire marks from staining your tile flooring is to prevent getting them in the first place. In the section below, we will provide guidance on you how will be able to prevent them!
Use a Wheelchair Tire Cover
Wheelchairs are notorious for leaving unsightly tire marks on tiled floors, especially at home. An easy solution for this is to use wheelchair tire covers, also called wheelchair slippers, that protect your floors. They’re relatively inexpensive, easy to install, and can save you the hassle of having to clean away any marks they leave behind!
Keep Bicycles Off the Floor
To ensure your bicycle tires won’t leave rubber marks on your tiled floors, we recommend either using a bicycle stand when storing them at home, leaving them under a sheltered place outdoors, or storing them in a garage.
If you prefer keeping them at home, the most space-saving bicycle stands can be mounted vertically or horizontally on your wall.
There are also more convenient storage options such as freestanding bicycle racks. Keeping your bicycles off the floor will prevent tire marks from occurring – it’s definitely something that you should consider.