Tile Care

Tile used in the home may be either glazed or unglazed. Glazed ceramic tiles are much less porous and far easier to clean and maintain. For most tile floors, vacuuming regularly and damp mopping will keep your ceramic tile floor looking clean and fresh.

For heavily soiled tiles, a mild detergent may be used. Rinse tiles well to remove all soap residue, and then wipe dry with a clean rag. Use a low-sudsing floor cleaning sodo or tri-sodium phosphate or commercial floor cleaning powder. You may also use aerosol bathroom or other household cleaners. Cleaning can be done by hand or, for a quicker and simpler cleaning, use an electric scrubber/polisher or floor washer.

Glazed tile, like enamel, is easily scratched. To avoid damaging your beautiful tiles, do not use abrasive powder cleaners. They may scratch the tiles.

Cleaning the Grout
For many homeowners with tile, however, the ceramic tiles themselves are generally far easier to clean than the grout. Food stains, household cleansers, and other dyes often find their way to the grout in your tiles and tend to set up house there.

The best way, by far, to clean tile grout is to use a bleach/water solution. Simply apply using a spray bottle or sponge, let it stay on for at least 20 minutes, and then rinse thoroughly. In addition to cleaning the grout, this method will also brighten the look of the tiles. After the floor is dry, it will help to further protect the floor by waxing it.

Soap Scum and Mildew
Like all household surfaces where moisture is present, soap scum and mildew may become a problem. With proper care, however, these troublesome issues can be easily cleared up.

Mildew is easily removed by sponging on a water-diluted bleach solution. Commercial household cleaners and mildew retardants can also be used effectively.

Soap scum can be removed by mixing ½ cup packaged water softener, 2 tablespoons rotten stone, and 1 cup hot water; or use a solution of 1-2 tablespoons tri sodium phosphate in 1 gallon hot water. Rinse the solution off for a clean shine.

Like soap scum, other stains may build up in tile showers. If a dark stain is present, but it is not mold, it may be the residue of body oils, soaps, and other shower items that have built up. Laundry detergent, used full-strength, is very effective at removing these hard-to-scrub stains. After a couple of hours of soaking, scrub the tile with a sponge and rinse thoroughly. If your tile is porcelain enamel or you have plastic or fiberglass, don’t use this method. It may damage the surface.

Sealing the Floor
Prevention is the best way to protect your grout from stain build up. Invest in a grout seal to keep out those nasty stains.

Tile and grout sealer can be purchased at most home stores. It will not change the color of the grout or tile, but it will add a nice shine to the surface. First thoroughly clean the floor using a detergent and then rinse well, taking care to remove all trace of dirt and detergent.

After the floor is completely dry, protect other floor surfaces with a towel and simply paint the sealer on. Apply a second coat after the first is dry. Not only will sealing prevent grout dust from being tracked around the house, but the sealer will also prevent stains from being absorbed by the grout.