Easy Tile Care

Easy Tile Care  

 

 

Contact B & R Hardwood and Tile  612-644-8779 or visit us on the web at brflooring.biz

Type of Tile/Usage	Routine Cleaning	Heavy Duty Cleaning
Glazed walls/countertops	Wipe with damp cloth or sponge using all-purpose cleaner.  Use window cleaner for glossy surfaces.   Wipe dry with cloth.	Clean with scouring powder, commercial tile cleaner, or all-purpose cleaner using non-metallic scouring pad or very fine grade stainless steel pad.  Rinse and wipe dry.
Glazed tile floors	Vacuum regularly to remove gritty particles.  Damp mop using solution of water and "soapless" detergent.	Use a commercial tile cleaner or a strong solution of water and "soapless" detergent.  If stained, use scouring powder paste.  Let stand for five minutes, brush and scrub. Rinse and dry. For large areas and for areas that are difficult to clean, a power scrubber is recommended.
Glazed Tile Showers	Use all-purpose or bathroom cleaner.  Allow to stand for five minutes rinse and dry.  May also use a mixture of equal parts water and white vinegar or a commercial tile cleaner.	Use chlorine bleach or hydrogen peroxide1.  For stubborn stains, use scouring powder containing a bleaching agent.  Let stand four to six minutes, then scrub and rinse thoroughly.   To remove mildew, use a commercial tile cleaner, chlorine bleach or ammonia(1). DO NOT MIX.
Unglazed tile walls	Sponge with a diluted solution of water and "soapless" detergent.	Use scouring powder paste.  Let stand for five minutes, then scour with brush.  Rinse and wipe dry.
Unglazed tile floors	Vacuum regularly to remove gritty particles. Damp mop or sponge with water and/or a diluted solution of water and "soapless" detergent.	Use scouring powder paste.  Let stand for five minutes, then scour with brush.  Rinse and wipe dry.  A small brush is suitable for small floors; consider a scrubbing machine for larger areas.
Natural Porcelain/Semi-Polished Porcelain*	Vacuum regularly to remove gritty particles.  Damp mop using a solution of water and "soapless detergent", rinse and then wipe dry.	Use scouring powder paste.  Let stand for five minutes, then scour with brush.  Rinse and wipe dry.  A small brush is suitable for small floors; consider a scrubbing machine for larger areas.
Commercial Applications	For smaller commercial areas, vacuum regularly to remove gritty particles.  Using a "soapless detergent", scrub with an inexpensive nylon brush (such as a "Doodle Bug").  Follow by using a dry/wet vac to remove water and soap residue.  Note: After initial cleaning, replace nylon brush.  Replace thereafter as it becomes worn.  A clean scrubber makes for a clean floor.  For large commercial settings, consider the use of a commercial floor scrubbing machine.

^1.) With colored grout, test a small inconspicuous area first or follow grout manufacturer's instructions.

*A note on Semi-Polished Porcelain:  Porcelain tile is virtually impervious to stains and wear.  However, the polishing process opens microscopic pores in the surface of the tile.  Therefore, it is recommended that a penetrating sealer (such as Aqua Mix "Penetrating Sealer", "Sealer's Choice" etc.) be used 2 hours prior to grouting.  Penetrating Sealers need only be applied once, following the manufacturer's instructions.

Remember, prompt clean-up of spills and regular cleaning will keep your ceramic tile surfaces looking their best.

DO's and DON'Ts of Ceramic Tile Care

Do not combine ammonia and household bleaches.

Do not use harsh cleaning agents (such as steel wool pads) which can scratch or damage the surface of your tile.

Do test scouring pads in a small area first.

Do use a silicone sealer on grout joints if continuous staining is a problem.

Do read and follow label directions for all cleaners.

Care and maintenance of Tile Grout

Grout may present a special cleaning problem because it is susceptible to many staining agents. Apply a silicone sealer to grout joints several times a year for maximum protection.

In addition to keeping the grout clean, be sure to keep grout joints in good repair. Scrape out loose, cracked or powdery joints and refill with a good grout.

One common grouting trouble spot is the joint between the tub and and the wall in your bathroom. As the house or tub settles, the grout may crack and crumble. It's relatively simple to remedy. Remove the old grout with a sharp pointed tool, watching out that you don't scratch tile or tub. Then dry the joint thoroughly and fill with a flexible caulking compound, such as silicone rubber caulking.

A Word about Cleaners

There are many excellent household cleaners on the market today. They should all do a good job for you, so use your favorite. Remember, read and follow the manufacturer's instructions and recommended usage. They will perform as promised, if you use them as directed.

Here is some general information about the cleaners which are mentioned in this brochure.

All-purpose cleaners included such products as Soft Scrub, Scrub Free, Mr. Clean, Top Job, Fantastik, Ajax Liquid, Liquid Comet and Dow Bathroom Cleaner. You can find them at your supermarket.

"Soapless detergents" are also commonly found on supermarket shelves. They include such cleaners as Spic & Span and 409.

Scouring powders which are readily available include Comet, Bon Ami, and Ajax. Nylon scouring pads may also be used (such as Scotch Brite), but steel wool pads are not recommended.

Commercial cleaners such as Aqua Mix or Hilliard's "Assurance", are suitable for heavy duty cleaning in commercial applications.

Stain Removal Guide

Stain	Removal Agent
Grease and fats	Soda and water or commercial spot lifter
Inks and colored dyes	Household bleach
Blood	Hydrogen Peroxide or household bleach
Coffee, tea, food, fruit, lipstick, juices	Neutral cleaner in hot water followed by hydrogen peroxide or household bleach
*Caution: Vinegar may damage some tile glazes.  Be sure to test this solution first in a small area to see if it etches the tile or erodes the grout.