Tiles are beautiful pieces of art with the power to utterly transform a room. To maintain their good looks, effective maintenance is pivotal. Sure, brisk vacuuming and a quick wipe down a few times a week gets the job done. But just a bit more tender loving care is essential for decades of inherent beauty and optimum performance.
Whether it’s glass mosaic, elegant marble, or simple ceramic floors with a sleek baseboard tile trim, showing your tiles a little love goes a long way. So, we’ve decided that with this simple guide, we’ll share with you the best ways to keep your tilework in pristine condition.
Read on if you:
- want to make your old home look fresh and bright again
- want to know how to keep newly installed tiles in tip-top shape
- have just moved homes and you’re unsure how to care for tiles
- find it daunting to keep grout lines clean and bright
Understanding the Importance of Proper Tile Upkeep
Tiles are unsung heroes of the home, playing a stylistic and functional role without demanding much in return. Proper tile care provides you with a long-lasting investment. It all comes down to preserving their strength and shine so your living space can maintain its charm and value.
Great practices to follow include:
- immediate spill clean-ups always. Do not let stains get comfortable
- always think “less is more”. Avoid abrasive cleaning tools or harsh acids and chemicals
- don’t overlook grout. They are what holds tilework in place and deserve good treatment, too
Tile Upkeep in Relation to the Area of Use
It’s important to consider tile material and how hard it works. For instance, sticky liquid stains and grease splashes are the primary culprits when it comes to dirty wall and floor kitchen tiles. Add dust to the mix and you may find yourself with slippers glued to the floor. Understanding what areas need more attention will help you figure out an ideal cleaning routine.
Note that natural stone, like marble, is porous and stains easily. Regular sealing will enhance durability and prevent moisture and stain infiltration. Always make sure the cleaning products used are safe so as not to damage the sealant.
- Day-to-day tile care
2-3 times a week of tile care will prevent the build-up of dirt and grime. It involves sweeping or vacuuming to remove dirt on the tile surface and grout lines. A soft-bristle broom or soft brush vacuum attachment is the recommended cleaning tool.
Follow this with a soft mop and a solution of warm water and a cleaner made specifically for tile and grout. This is also an ideal solution to wipe tiled walls and backsplashes. Mopping floors and wiping walls removes any remaining grime or stain and enhances surface shine. Dry with a microfiber to prevent water spotting.
- Periodic deep tile care
For that extra TLC, a thorough deep clean is needed at least once or twice a year. To clean buildup, some elbow grease and a good scrub go the distance to attain gleaming tiles.
For easier deep cleaning, we’d recommend investing in a steam mop to sanitize hardworking areas like the bathroom and kitchen. It’s a great cleaning tool that blasts away tough dirt and stains without hurting the tile surface. You wouldn’t need to shell out on professional cleaning when the going gets tough. Well, at least without first giving it a good go!
Deep cleaning is also the best time to inspect tiles for damage. Check for cracked, chipped, hollow, or loose tile. Should you identify any imperfection, restoration or replacement should follow, pronto.
- Keep grout lines clean and bright
Whether it’s glass mosaic, marble slab, or ceramic textured wall tile, consistent upkeep adds a decades-long lifespan to your tilework. The same is true for grout. To clean joints, spray grout cleaner and let it sit for a couple of seconds. Scrub with a soft-bristled brush, rinse, then dry with a clean cloth. To avoid hard stains, cleaning this way monthly is good practice. Seal grout lines every six months to a year to renew that extra layer of protection.
