Tile Maintenance—How To Care For Different Types

Tile may be one of the most durable flooring materials on the market, but without ongoing maintenance, you threaten the integrity of your tile floors. For instance, winter in Canada means walking indoors with snowy boots peppered with road salt; if you don’t regularly clean your tile during the winter months, you run the risk of unsightly white residue and scratches from the salt that will eventually affect the tile’s surface.

And that’s just a winter worry!

So, how can you care for your tiles, all types, so they remain beautiful for decades? As tile installers, we have a few tricks that you can use to keep your floors in showroom condition!

Tile Maintenance Per Type

Read on, and we’ll share how you can care for each type of tile.

Ceramic And Porcelain

Ceramic and porcelain are two of the most popular tile materials. Although they are from the same family, their applications differ. Porcelain handles spills better, making it ideal for showers or areas regularly in contact with water. It is also more durable. Whereas, ceramic creates the perfect backsplash. 

Tile installer tips on how best to clean ceramic and porcelain tiles:

• Step 1: Vacuum away all the debris. However, use an attachment with soft bristles to prevent scratches.
• Step 2: Using a mild or tile-specific cleaner, mop your floors. The ideal mophead is microfibre, as it prevents streaks. Repeat with clean, fresh water so your tiles sparkle.
• Step 3: As you mop, check the tiles for signs of wear, like chipping. Be sure to repair chips as you see them to prevent further damage to the tile.
• Step 4: Remember to dry the tiles with a dry cloth to avoid water spots or a streaky finish.

Natural Stone

You want to maintain a consistent maintenance schedule to retain the beauty of natural stone like travertine or marble.

Tile installer tips on how best to clean natural stone tiles:

• Step 1: Never let a spill sit; wipe it up as it happens to prevent staining.
• Step 2: Vacuum and mop or clean stones with non-acidic cleaners (free of lemon or vinegar as they are vulnerable to cracks, scratches, and stains). 
• Step 3: Dry your tiles with a clean cloth.

Glass

Glass has become another popular tile material, especially in backsplashes. Typically, glass tiles are blended with another tile material, like ceramic, to create a striking design.

Tile installer tips on how best to clean glass tiles:

• Step 1: Wipe spills or messes as they happen.
• Step 2: Aim to clean your glass tiles a few times a week, which can be as easy as a vinegar and water wipe down. Also, keep in mind that glass scratches easily, so avoid abrasive cleaners. 

Tile Grout

Although, grout is not a tile material, it is a vital component to ensuring the longevity of your tiles! For this reason, when you’re caring for your tiles— don’t forget the grout!

Tile installer tipes on how best to clean grout:

• Step 1: Ideally, you should aim to clean the grout lines once a month. The first step to cleaning grout, is using a toothbrush to scrub either a homemade baking soda and water blend or a commercial grout cleaner into the grout lines. If you can, apply the cleaner at night, so it can sit overnight.
• Step 2: In the morning using a soft brush to scrub the grout lines. We recommend avoiding metal or abrasive brush heads as they will scratch the grout and tile.
• Step 3: Seal the grout with a sealant, once a year for low-traffic areas or twice a year for high-traffic zones.

Caring For Your Tiles

Although tiles are known for their durability, they are not immune to spills or damage, so it falls on the homeowner to maintain their tiles to maximize their longevity. 

If you’ve got questions regarding tile maintenance, or if you’re ready to hire a tile installer to change up your floors or backsplashes, then give us, the Brothers Flooring a call today! We offer free consultations, where we’re happy to recommend the best way to maintain your tiles or we’re happy to answer your tile-related questions!