Tips For Cleaning Tile and Grout

No matter how clean your kitchen and bathroom are, if your tiles and grout look dingy, the entire room will feel dirty. Tile is meant to brighten a home, it’s water resistant and easy to clean. However, over time it will lose its shine. Don’t worry, we’ve come up with a guide to help you refresh your tiles and grout and bring them back to their original glory.

Tile Floors

The most important tip when cleaning your ceramic or porcelain tile floors is to keep up with the maintenance like sweeping and vacuuming. Doing this will remove dirt and debris before they are able to become embedded into the tile or grout. Here are some other tips to help make your flooring look good as new:

• Never sweep with a straw broom. It could scratch the surface of the tiles.

• Once a week, use warm water to mop the floor. Dry the floor afterward to stop new dirt from setting into the wet areas.

• Keep the floor dry and immediately wipe up any spills.

• Place a doormat both outside and inside the home to lessen the amount of dirt and water that is being tracked into the home. This is especially important during the rainy spring season and snowy winters.

• When deep cleaning your floor tiles, it’s important to check with the tile manufacturer for the best cleaning solution so that you don’t risk damaging the tiles.

• Instead of cleaning the floor with a sponge mop, use a rag. Sponge mops tend to push dirty water into the grout and make it harder to clean.

Kitchen Backsplash Tiles

Backsplash tiles are meant to protect your walls from any stove splatters or grease. These splatters can build up over time and become very hard to remove if not taken care of right away. Depending on the type of materials your tiles are made of (i.e. ceramic, glass, stone), the manufacturer will have specific instructions for the right type of cleaners to use. Here are a few other cleaning tips to consider:

• As soon as there is a food splatter, blot it away! The longer the stains sit, the harder it is to remove them.

• On a regular basis, take a sponge soaked in warm soapy water and softly clean off the backsplash.

• When the help of a chemical solution is needed to clean the area, make sure you follow the directions of the manufacturer to find a solution that is safe for your tile and grout.

• Once you have selected your cleaning solution, let it sit on the backsplash for 5-15 minutes. Then use a soft brush or sponge to clean the area.

• When you are done cleaning the area, always dry it off to avoid streaks and mildew.

Bathroom Shower Tiles

Bathroom tiles are usually the most in need of a deep clean because of how often the shower is used. The naturally damp environment and different soaps aid in the rapid growth of mildew. Here are a few tips to help maintain the beauty of your bathroom retreat:

• Always try to leave your shower as dry as possible. Use a squeegee or towel to clear water off the walls, doors and floors. Leave a window open or run a fan to reduce the humidity.

• If your tiles are turning colors, it could be the result of dyes in your shampoos and conditioners.

• Think about how you store your products in the shower. Water can collect under bottles and grow mildew. Instead, use a shower caddy so excess water can run off.

• Check with your tile manufacturer to find a safe shower spray solution that you can “spot clean” on a regular basis.

How to Clean Tile Grout

Tile grout is used to keep your beautiful tiles together and lock out water, but it’s also very porous. Grout easily absorbs dirt, grease and holds onto bacteria. It’s also prone to staining. But did you know you can seal your grout to help protect it? Contact your contractor to see what sealer will work best with your tile. You will have to re-seal your grout and tiles every few years but the payoff is worth it! Here are some of the best ways to clean your grout:

• Use hot water to remove any dirt that is on the surface before you apply any (approved) cleaning solution. Use products sparingly, because too much use will erode the grout.

• Let the solution sit for 5-10 minutes depending on the amount of grime that has collected.

• Take a soft brush (ex a toothbrush) and start cleaning the grout. Never use metal brushes that can scratch your tile and break your grout.

• Rinse your tiles and grout off with hot water and watch it shine!