Properly cleaning ceramic tile will make them look brand new for years
Cleaning ceramic tile is quite easy, if you know what you're doing. Ceramic tiles have become a very popular choice especially for bathrooms and kitchens, but not only. You can put ceramic tiles in your hallway, main entrance, or wherever you like. It looks great, gives your whole house a stylish appearance and makes your job a whole lot easier when it comes to cleaning and maintaining it.
There are two types of ceramic tile: glazed or unglazed. Glazed ceramic tile is more easy to sweep or mop, while the unglazed type will require more cleaning maintenance because they tend to collect more dirt, as they are not coated with an outer shell. So as to avoid dirt, mold or mildew from building up, cleaning ceramic tile should be done on a regular basis. Sweep the floors frequently, and if you use a vacuum cleaner, make sure to use it without a beater bar, so the tiles don't get dulled or scratched.
Cleaning ceramic tile should be done routinely, using a plain water solution, and then drying them with a clean cloth or mop. Careful though, don't use any steel wool, scouring powders or any other abrasives that can scratch the finish of the tiles. Also, avoid using bleach or ammonia based cleaners, because in time they can discolor the grout. Cleaning ceramic tile must be done with a mild detergent, and then rinsed thoroughly with warm water to remove any leftover residue. If there's heavier dirt on the tiles, you can use special cleaning products for removing soap scum, hard water deposits or mildew stains. Cleaning ceramic tile with a texture might require mild scrubbing either with a mild brush, or with an electric polisher/scrubber. If your tile is glazed, don't clean it with oil-based cleaners.
When cleaning ceramic tile, you also have to play attention to the grout. While the tile itself might be very easy to clean, grout tends to accumulate mold, mildew and stains, especially if you have hard water build-up or calcium deposits. Make a solution of 1/4 cup of mild detergent combined with a gallon of water and clean the areas affected by dirt with a sponge. Although most tiles are glazed and stain-resistant, the grouts are porous and gather dirt, so try to clean spills as quickly as possible, so the stain doesn't get impregnated into the grout. Use only cleaning products that specify on their label that they are safe for tile surfaces.
All in all, tiles look great and are perfect for a stylish appearance, that doesn't require hard work maintenance. Cleaning ceramic tile is actually quite easily done, if you follow these tips and are careful regarding the products you use. So remember: warm water, mild detergent, rinsing, not scouring powders, no steel wool or abrasives, no bleach or ammonia based cleaners. Respect these rules and cleaning ceramic tile will be piece of cake, and your tiles will look brand new for years.