How to Clean Ceramic Tile?
Ceramic tile needs proper care and cleaning to get the best performance. So in this post How to Clean Ceramic Tile? Shared information so that you can properly maintain it. Usually, people install ceramic tile flooring in bathrooms, kitchens, and patios.
Dirty ceramic tile flooring reduces the look of the bathroom and kitchen. This can result in permanent damage. It needs to be maintained periodically to get its beauty, versatility, and durability.
This type of tile is used in various places as it is a scratch-resistant, anti-skid, and highly durable material. The color and finish of ceramic tiles can be damaged if it is not cleaned regularly.
How to Clean Ceramic Tile?
If you have installed ceramic tile flooring in the kitchen, bathroom, and entrances and you are suffering from a How to Clean Ceramic Tile? then we have given some tips based on our experience to help them as follows.
1. Regular Sweeping or Vacuuming
Since ceramic tile is made from a suitable mixture of natural clay, sand, and water, it can be easily scratched by hard materials like dust, and gravel.
Therefore, regular sweeping or vacuuming of ceramic tiles should be done. Which will protect it from hard materials like dirt and debris.
If your entrance has ceramic tile flooring, for its solution you place a foot mat in front of the entrance door and instruct each member of the family to wipe their feet.
2. Washing Ceramic Tiles Weekly
To keep Ceramic Tile clean, after vacuuming or cleaning, you should mop it at least once a week by mixing a small amount of detergent in warm water.
There is no need to use any other specific materials, but if you want to use a cleaner, first test it on a selected location to make sure that it does not damage the finish of the ceramic tiles.
Another important thing is to avoid using a sponge mop to clean the ceramic tile, which will push the dirt into the grout of the tiles. It is advisable to use a strip mop head instead.
Also, make sure that the water gets dirty or changes immediately. So that you will get a very good result.
Note: You can slip on the floor when the ceramic tile is wet. So you have to dry the floor of ceramic tiles well with a clean towel or it is advisable to stay out of the room until it is completely air dry.
3. Ceramic Tiles Care
You must first clean the daily dirt on the ceramic tiles floor such as spilled milk and other materials immediately. This is because if the daily dirt is not cleaned immediately, it can stain the tiles. So ceramic tiles should be cleaned with warm water and a little mild dish detergent only with a cloth or mop.
How to Clean Ceramic Tile Grout?
Ceramic tiles have grout applied to the joints to properly fix the floor, keep water out and give a finished look. This grout material is a porous substance. Ceramic tiles are used according to the choice of floor and finished look. But it can easily get dirty.
So once the tile is installed you should seal the ceramic tiles with proper grout. Once or twice a year, depending on the condition of the grout, it should be sealed using a simple grout available locally.
For sleek modern grout, you should choose darker grout that hides dirt.
Tips for cleaning ceramic tile grout are as follows:
If the grout needs cleaning, you can do it with a stiff brush and warm water. Grout can be easily cleaned and restored using common household products.
Before you go for your grout-cleaning, use the mildest, least harmful method. If that doesn’t work, go for another option.
If in doubt about a grout cleaner, first test it in a hiding place. Such as under an appliance in the kitchen, in the bathroom, or behind the toilet.
Before you start cleaning grout, it is important to understand the different types of grout.
Usually different types of grout come in multiple colors. So before you clean grout, it is important to consider both its type and color. Traditional cement grout and new standard, epoxy grout is commonly used. Understand these grout types as follows
1. Epoxy Grout:
Epoxy grout absorbs 50 times less water than cement grout. But it does hold water stains easily. Epoxy grout shrinks less than cement grouts
It is therefore advisable to use epoxy grout in the backsplash in the kitchen and around the shower. It is also easier to clean if you are grouting light-colored ceramic tiles on the floor.
In addition, it can return to its original color more easily than cement grouts.
Epoxy grout is less prone to cracking than other types of grout. But this type of grouting material is more expensive than cement grout and it takes more time to apply on ceramic tiles floor.
2. Sanded Grout:
Sanded grout material is a suitable option for interior flooring. Its use is better in thick joints and has less compression than unsanded alternatives.
Its use is generally suitable for joints of any tile with a thickness of ⅛” to ½.”Due to its durability and stability, it can withstand the pressure of foot traffic.
3. Unsanded Grout:
Unsanded grout is suitable for extremely thin-tile joints from 1/8-inch to 1/16-inch. Also, we have commonly called non-sanded grout.
Vertical surfaces such as tiled shower walls are suitable for working with unscented grout. Unsanded grout can sometimes be used easily with scratched surfaces such as ceramic, glass, marble, or natural stone tiles.
More expensive polymers are added to unsanded grout materials, which significantly increases the cost of sanded grout.
Some grouts add polymers to provide features such as moisture and mildew resistance. Finally, if you are looking for how to clean your ceramic tiles’ grout, let’s understand further.
1. Using Warm Water and a Medium Bristle Brush.
There are various products for cleaning tile grout in various hardware stores specially made for cleaning tile grout. You should choose a medium bristle nylon brush as it does not damage the grout of your ceramic tiles.
You should avoid using a stiff steel brush. Now, sprinkle enough hot water on the grout line and scrub in a circular motion with a suitable brush, then let it dry for a while. If you use too much water in it, porous cement grouts will absorb water, leading to mildew.
2. Spray Vinegar and Warm Water on the Grout.
If you have sealed the grout but it has heavy dirt or light stains, use vinegar. Now fill the spray bottle with the appropriate vinegar mixture and warm water. Spray this mixture on the grout as needed, leave it on the grout surface for 5 minutes, then scrub the surface with a properly selected brush.
3. Scrub First, Then Mop
After cleaning the grout, wipe off any excess baking soda, then wipe the entire tile floor again with a damp cloth. Then clean using a mild floor cleaner and warm water. Thus, this final cleaning will clean up any remaining grout cleaner and make the entire floor shiny.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
How to Clean Ceramic Tile?
- The ceramic tile floor can be cleaned using a bucket of warm water, half a cup of vinegar, and half a teaspoon of dish soap.
- If the grout needs cleaning, you can do it with a stiff brush and warm water. Grout can be easily cleaned and restored using common household products.
- Before you go for your grout-cleaning, use the mildest, least harmful method. If that doesn’t work, go for another option.
- If in doubt about a grout cleaner, first test it in a hiding place. Such as under an appliance in the kitchen, in the bathroom, or behind the toilet.
- Clean with a proper scrub with warm water to remove dirt.
- Excess water absorbs the ceramic tile, so clean with enough water as needed and then wipe with a suitable cloth.
How Do You Clean Ceramic Tile Floors?
The Best Way to Clean Ceramic Tile Floors;
- Regular Sweeping or Vacuuming
- Washing Ceramic Tiles Weekly
- You must first clean the daily dirt on the ceramic tiles floor such as spilled milk and other materials immediately. This is because if the daily dirt is not cleaned immediately, it can stain the tiles.
- So ceramic tiles should be cleaned with warm water and a little mild dish detergent only with a cloth or mop.
How to Remove Stains from Ceramic Tiles?
- If you have sealed the grout but it has heavy dirt or light stains, use vinegar. Now fill the spray bottle with the appropriate vinegar mixture and warm water.
- Spray this mixture on the grout as needed, leave it on the grout surface for 5 minutes, then scrub the surface with a properly selected brush.
- After cleaning the grout, wipe off any excess baking soda, then wipe the entire tile floor again with a damp cloth. Then clean using a mild floor cleaner and warm water.