Tile Care

Ceramic and Porcelain Tile Care

Routine maintenance for ceramic and porcelain tile is fairly simple.  Never use harsh chemical agents or abrasive cleaning instruments like steel wool on your tile. Wipe glazed wall tiles periodically using a cloth or sponge dampened with a non oil-based household cleaner. Vacuum glazed floor tiles regularly to remove dirt and particles, then damp mop or sponge with an all-purpose, non oil-based cleaner. Do not use ammonia, as it will discolor grout. Clean unglazed wall and floor tiles in a similar manner using a solution of water and soapless detergent instead of an all-purpose cleaner.

Grout Care

Shortly after installation, once the tile has been cleaned and dried, grout joints should be treated with a silicone sealer. Grout, the material that fills spaces between tiles, is porous, and sealing it at this time will simplify maintenance in the future (Epoxy grouts do not require a sealer). You can purchase such a sealant at your local home or floor covering store. We recommend you apply a sealer at least twice a year for maximum stain protection.

Intensive Cleaning

Tiles that have been neglected or that are walked over frequently may require more intensive cleaning. Regular cleaning and the application of sealant will help keep your tiles looking clean and new, and hopefully they will never require intensive cleaning. However, if your tiles get very dirty, use a scouring powder or an all-purpose cleaner. For unglazed tiles, apply powder or cleaner to tiles and grout with a non-metallic pad, like a Dobie pad. Scrub with special attention to the grout lines. Rinse and dry. For glazed floor tiles, use a commercial tile cleaner, or apply a strong solution of an all-purpose, non oil-based cleaner or scouring powder paste. Let stand for five minutes, and then scrub it with a brush or pad. Then rinse with clean water and wipe dry.