BDU Ceramic Tile College™
Keep It Clean: Maintaining Ceramic Tile
What you will learn: what to consider when choosing products for cleaning ceramic
tile; everyday tips in ceramic tile cleaning; strategies for keeping ceramic tile grout clean.
Although ceramic tile comes from just beneath the soil, one of its enemies is the everyday dirt
and grit that builds up on its surface. Also, it’s important to keep the tile’s grout free from
this sort dirt buildup as well. Here are a few suggestions on how to keep your earthy flooring
clear of unwanted dirt.
When cleaning ceramic tile floors, a good approach to the cleaning products you choose is "always
read the label and follow the instructions." A good many of these cleaning products may do a fine
job on a vinyl or linoleum floor, but may spell disaster when cleaning ceramic tile floors. Always
follow the manufacturer’s instructions and make sure that you are using the products correctly and
in the right measure. This is a good rule to apply to any kind of flooring or countertop you install,
whether it’s ceramic tile flooring, hardwood flooring, laminate flooring, granite countertops or any
other unique building material.
Cleaning ceramic tile flooring is generally a low-maintenance job. The first thing to do when cleaning
ceramic tile floors is to clear the floor of any surface dirt or grit which is likely to contribute to wear.
This can be done simply with a broom and your vacuum cleaner with a soft tile attachment. Then, use warm water
and a mop to clear away any residual dust.
One of the more challenging aspects involved in cleaning ceramic tile floors is the grout, which can pick up
mold and mildew fairly easily, depending on how much exposure your floor has had to moisture. Other than with
your toothbrush and your hands and knees, a more comfortable and less time-consuming way of keeping the grout
clean is steam cleaning. Ceramic tile can be restored and made to look more closely to its original condition
with the help of a number of steam cleaning products. It’s worth shopping around to see which of these is the
most applicable to cleaning the kind of ceramic tile flooring you own. It is important to know what kind of
grout you have too. Note that some ceramic tile cleaning products can also do damage to colored grout.
Always follow manufacturer’s instructions, and seek advice from your local do-it-yourself retailer who
may have additional information on cleaning ceramic tile floors.
With ceramic tile flooring, you’ve made an excellent choice for a tile flooring option that is both attractive
and durable. By taking care to maintain your flooring, you will extend the special beauty that ceramic tile
flooring lends to your room.
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