CERAMIC & PORCELAIN TILE
Contaminants and spills on a glazed ceramic tile are, generally, easier to clean then other, more impervious surfaces. Glazed tile products should be cleaned routinely with an all-purpose, non oil-based household or commercial cleaner. The product chosen should also be grout joint cleaning compatible. The type of product may vary depending on the tile application and use. A multipurpose spray cleaner, which removes soap scum, hard water deposits, and mildew designed for every day use, can be used on wall tile areas in residential baths and showers. Be sure to check the label for use with ceramic tile.
The entire area should be cleaned and scrubbed with cleaner solution through the use of a cotton mop, cloth, sponge, or non-metallic brush. The entire area should be rinsed with clean water to remove any cleaning solution residue. Remember that you should sweep or vacuum floor areas prior to cleaning to remove any dust or debris. Routine cleaners should never contain acids or ammonia. Acids can damage the grout and the glazed surface of the tile, and ammonia can discolor the grout.
Unglazed tile should be cleaned routinely with concentrated tile cleaners that have a neutral pH for safe regular use. These cleaners are better suited at removing grease, oils and normal spills from unglazed products. Again these products will vary depending on the application, amount of traffic and the use. The product chosen should also be compatible with cleaning the grout joints at the same time.
Removal of Sealers/Waxes/Floor Finishes:
If you need to remove a topical sealer or floor wax from a ceramic tile you should use a Tile Sealer & Adhesive remover. Always test a small area first. Apply a liberal amount of undiluted sealer & adhesive remover to a manageable area. Allow setting without drying until coating or residue softens. Reapply if necessary until sealer softens and can be removed. If necessary, agitate with white nylon scrub pad. Wipe up the residue with a cotton towel or sponge. Rinse thoroughly with clean water. Do not use on natural stone products.
ROUTINE MAINTENENCE:
* Clean up spills as quickly as possible so your grout won’t become stained.
* Don’t use steel wool, scouring powders, or other abrasives that can scratch the finish of your ceramic tile.
* Remember that while ceramic tile is very durable, it’s not indestructible and may crack or chip under extreme
force.
* Don’t use bleach or ammonia-based cleaners — these products can discolor your grout if used too often.
* Take the proper precautions when moving heavy objects across a ceramic tile floor.
* Cover furniture and table legs with protectors to guard your floor against scratching.
* Remember that if a repair is necessary, the replacement product may be a slightly different dye lot and/or
texture than the original tile. It is always good to have some tile left over after installation.
Caulking
Once your tile has been laid and grouted, it’s your responsibility to caulk areas that may be exposed to water. Caulking will prevent expensive subsurface damage and keep the tiled areas looking as good as new. Most grouts have coordinating caulks.
Sealing
After installation, sealing the grout and tile can provide protection from dirt and spills by slowing down the staining process.
GROUT CLEANING
Grout is the material used to fill the spaces between the individual tiles. Grout comes in many colors. While color is important to the final finished look of the tile installation, it has little effect on the functionality of the grout. The purpose of grout is, simply, to fill the joint between the tiles and becomes a permanent, integral component of the finished installation.
Penetrating/Impregnating Sealer:
Most tile installations use cementitious grouts. This type of grout should be sealed after installation to prevent the color from staining. The grout should be sealed with a penetrating/impregnating sealer (often called grout sealers) which does not contain silicone, as silicone can shorten the useful life of the sealer. Epoxy grouts, conversely, are chemically cured and acid resistant and, as a result, do not require a sealer. The application of a good quality penetrating/impregnating sealer into the grout joints of a cementitious grout will not change the natural color of the grout, but will prevent the penetration of moisture, simplify maintenance, and help prevent staining or discoloration. Only the grout needs to be sealed, not glazed floor or wall tiles. Grout can be sealed seventy-two hours after installation.
There are different grades of penetrating/impregnating sealers, therefore the useful life and price will differ between a low quality and high quality sealer. You may need to reapply the sealer on an annual basis depending on the sealer quality, traffic patterns, and maintenance routine. Some sealers have multiple year warranties for useful life. Refer to the manufacturer warranty, technical & product information for specific details on product installation, useful life, and product applications (including any warnings) before use.
Neither sealing the grout nor using a 100% Epoxy Grout will guarantee against surface build-up or discoloration of the grout. Grout needs to be cleaned on a periodic basis to remove any surface build-up. Routine grout cleaning can be done with a daily concentrated household or commercial cleaner depending on the application. When heavy duty grout cleaning is required, you will need to use a professional strength Tile & Grout Cleaner that is capable of removing grease, soap scum, body oil, mildew stains, algae, and synthetic or acrylic waxes from the grout joints. This type of product can be purchased from most Home Centers, or through your local professional Floor Covering Dealer.
Grout Color Restoration:
When grout has been stained to the point that it cannot be maintained or returned to its natural color, you can return the grout back to its original color or any other color through the use of a "grout stain". Grout Stains are epoxy-based products that are specifically designed to penetrate into the grout and seal the surface with a permanent color. Once the grout has been stained there is no need to seal it any further with a penetrating/impregnating sealer. Prior to staining, the grout joint should be cleaned thoroughly to remove any dirt, oils, grease or sealers with a professional strength Tile & Grout Cleaner. We would be glad to help you with this service.
STONE CLEANING
To insure your natural stone products will provide you with a lifetime of beauty and utility, a proper maintenance program is crucial. Natural Stone products are porous by nature and require a different maintenance program than traditional ceramic tile.
Natural stone requires a different maintenance routine than traditional, man-made ceramic tile. Many of the cleaners acceptable for use on ceramic tile can stain, damage or dull stone. Dirt and dust will scratch the surface of stone. Therefore, stone floors should be vacuumed or dust mopped frequently to remove abrasive agents from the stone surface. Natural stone should be cleaned with neutral cleaners. Stone cleaners should never contain acid or bleach. Acids, even a light solution of vinegar and water, will etch and eventually damage natural stone.
Stone Cleaners:
Only use cleaners specifically designed for cleaning stone. These cleaners contain no acids and are concentrated neutral pH cleaners that will not affect existing sealers or wax-type coatings. The surface of the stone should be dampened with clear water. This will keep the cleaning solution on the surface so it can be effective. A solution of the cleaner and water missed to manufacturer instructions should be applied to the stone surface with a sponge or mop. On walls, kitchen counters or vanity tops, a spray bottle can be used to apply the cleaning solution. Allow sitting for manufacturers specified amount of time (usually 3 to 5 minutes). Agitate with a sponge, synthetic mop, soft bristle brush or through the use of a floor-scrubbing machine. Mop up dirty solution and buff dry.
Once the stone has been cleaned, you can periodically apply a Spray-Buff wax-type floor finish to enhance the beauty and luster of polished stone (including countertops). Apply the finish with a spray applicator and buff immediately with a white nylon pad. Reapply as often as needed, depending on volume of surface traffic and consistency of routine maintenance program. This product is not designed to restore the original shine, but is intended to maintain and protect the original shine. This can be purchased from most Home Centers or through your local Professional Floor Covering Dealer.
When some areas have been neglected, you will need to use a heavy-duty stone cleaner and degreaser to effectively remove dirt, grease, grime, waxes and floor finishes. These cleaning products are concentrated and designed to deep clean the stone without damaging it. Apply the solution of the cleaner and water mixed to manufacturer instructions to the stone surface with a sponge or mop. Allow setting for manufacturer-specified amount of time. Agitate with a sponge, synthetic mop, and soft bristle brush or through the use of a floor-scrubbing machine. Mop up dirty solution and buff dry. Be sure to change out the cleaning solution every 100 square feet to avoid reintroducing dirty water during the cleaning process. Rinse thoroughly with clean water when finished. After cleaning you may apply the Spray-Buff wax-type floor finish to enhance the natural shine.
Stain Removal:
Stone poultice will remove stains and grout haze from stone. Poultice is a fine, nonacidic, absorptive clay cleaning powder that removes deep-set oil stains, grease and light cementitious grout haze from polished and unpolished natural stone.
CAUTION: Poultice may dull the shine of the polished stone. If this occurs you will need to use a marble polish to restore the natural shine.
Restoration:
If a marble finish has become dull, scratched or etched, you can restore the natural shine through the use of a marble polish. Some marble polishes are available in kits. The process can be enhanced with the use of floor buffing machines. The process is generally a re-crystallization process to remove fine scratches and restore the original shine and polish to the stone. This I not an application of a topical sealer or wax to cover-up damaged or worn surfaces.
WOOD FLOOR CLEANING
Hardwood floors are very easily maintained. No wax, no mess, simply use a cleaner made for use with urethane coated hardwood floors. We recommend the use of a microfiber mop to care for your wood floor.
Do not use steam cleaners.
Any cleaning product that you use should be free of silicone, waxes and petroleum products. These will leave a residue on your floor. Check your label...if is says that it will make your floor shine, it is leaving a residue. Products specifically made for cleaning wood floor are best. Bruce and Minwax are suppliers of these products.
STEP 1: Sweep your floor to remove any particles that could scratch your floor. WARNING: Vacuums with a beater bar or power rotary brush head can damage a wood floor and never should be used.
STEP 2: Apply hardwood surface cleaner directly to the microfiber mop instead of the floor.
STEP 3: Use a back and forth motion with the mop. When the cloth cover becomes soiled, simply repplave with a clean one and wash and dry the soiled one for re-use.
TIPS:
* Maintain a normal indoor relative humidity level (35-60%) throughout the year to minimize the natural
Heating season: A humidifier is recommended to prevent excess shrinkage due to low humidity levels
Cooling season: An air conditioner, dehumidifier or periodically turning on your heat will help to maintain
humidity levels during summer months.
* Sweep regularly
* Remove spills promptly using wood cleaner and a clean white cloth.
* Use felt protectors under heavy furniture and chairs.
* Use protective mats at exterior entrances
* Spiked heels and shoes in need of repair can severly damage your floor.
* Never wet or damp mop your wood floors. Water can cause damage to the wood
* Never use oil soaps, wax, abrasive cleaners, steel wool or strong ammoniated or chlorinated products to
clean your floor.
* The sun's UV rays can change the color of your wood floor
* Keep animal's nails trimmed.
* Protect your floor with a 1/4" thick piece of plywood or masonite when using a dolly to move furniture or
appliances. NEVER slide or roll heavy furniture or appliances across the floor.
* If your floor becomes scratched, repairs can be made using repair accessories.
