care of tiles

Glazed Ceramic Tile General Care

Although glazed ceramic tile requires less floor care than most of the other flooring types there are certains things you still need to do to maintain the beauty of the tile floor.

• Wash Regularly - Wash the floor regularly to remove any dirt or grit. Use a mild, diluted detergent solution, such as Mr. Clean or Spic & Span. If in doubt, call us to get the tile manufacturer's cleaning recommendations.

• Vacuum Regularly - Sweep, or vacuum your glazed tile regularly.

• Avoid Ammonia-based Cleaners - ammonia-based cleaners may discolor some types of colored grout.

• Always Rinse - After washing with a mild detergent you should thoroughly rinse the floor with clean, warm water.

• Never Wax a Tile - The glazed ceramic finish should never be waxed.

• Wipe Spills Immediately - Liquids spills may be wiped up with an all-purpose cleaners, such as Fantastic, or Top Job. This will also help the grout joints from becoming discolored from spilled liquids.

• Grout Sealers - Non-epoxy grout joints should be treated with a silicone grout sealer twice a year to help preserve the grout color and to prevent discoloration from spilled liquids.

Stone Tile General Care

Stone is different then glazed ceramic tiles. Stone tiles are more porous (even if polished) and require special impregnating sealers and special ph-balanced cleaners. Avoid acidic cleaners, such as vinegar.

Stones should have a special penetrating sealer to prevent staining and help protect the pores of the stone's surface. Use special cleaners made for stones that are non-acidic. Regular cleaning with a soft dust mop is recommended to help remove dirt and grit from the floor.