Contaminants and spills on glazed ceramic tile are generally easier to clean than other more impervious surfaces. Glazed tile products should be cleaned routinely with an all purpose, non-oil based household or commercial cleaner. The product chosen should also be grout joint cleaning compatible. A multipurpose spray cleaner, which removes soap scum, hard water deposits and mildew designed for every day use, can be used on wall tile areas in residential baths and showers.
The entire areas should be cleaned and scrubbed with the cleaner solution through the use of a cloth, sponge, or not-metallic brush. The entire area should be rinsed with clean water to remove any cleaning solution residue. Routine cleaners should never contain acids or ammonia. Acids can damage the grout and the glaze surface of the tile, and ammonia can discolor the grout.
Unglazed tile should be cleaned routinely with concentrated tile cleansers that have a neutral ph for safe regular use. The cleaners are better suited at removing grease, oils, and normal spills from unglazed products.
Most tile installations use cementitious grouts. This type of grout should be sealed after installation to prevent the grout from staining. The grout should be sealed with a penetrating/impregnating sealer (often called grout sealers), which does not contain silicone, as silicone can shorten the useful life of the sealer. The application of a good quality sealer into the grout joints of the cementitious grout may change the natural color of the grout slightly, but will prevent the penetration of moisture, simplify maintenance, and help prevent staining or discoloration. Only the grout needs to be sealed, not the glazed ceramic tile. Grout can be sealed seventy-two hours after installation.
Sealing the grout will not guarantee against surface build-up or discoloration of the grout. Grout needs to be cleaned on a periodic basis to remove any surface buildup. Routine grout cleaning can be done with a daily concentrated household or commercial cleaner depending on the application. When heavy duty grout cleaning is required, you will need to use a professional strength Tile & Grout Cleaner that is capable of removing grease, soap scum, body oil, mildew stains from the grout joints. This type of product can be purchased from most home improvement centers.
Periodical maintenance can be obtained through a professional. Please see Dal Tile recommendations for care and maintenance from their website.
To insure your natural stone products will provide you with a lifetime of beauty and utility, a proper maintenance program is crucial. Natural stone products are porous by nature and require a different maintenance program that traditional ceramic tile.
Many of the cleaners acceptable for use on ceramic tile can stain, damage or dull stone. Dirt and dust will scratch the surface of stone. Natural stone should be cleaned with neutral cleaners. Stone cleaners should never contain acid or bleach. Acids, even light solution of vinegar and water, will etch and eventually damage natural stone.
Only use cleaners specifically designed fro cleaning stone. These cleaners contain no acids and are concentrated neutral ph cleaners that will not affect existing sealers. The surface of the stone should be dampened with clear water. This will keep the cleaning solution on the surface so it can be effective. A solution of the cleaner and water mixed to manufacture instructions should be applied with a sponge; on counters a spray bottle can be used. Allow sitting time for manufactures specified amount of time. Agitate with a sponge or soft bristle brush. Mop up dirty solution and buff dry.
Stain removal on stone requires a stone poultice. Poultice is a fine, non-acidic absorptive clay cleaning powder that removes deep-set oil stains, grease and light cementitious grout haze from polished and unpolished natural stone. Caution: Poultice may dull the shine of the polished stone. If this occurs, you will need to use a marble polish to restore the natural stone.
Periodical maintenance can be obtained through a professional.
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