ceramic tile

Ceramic tile can include glazed, porcelain or quarry tile. Glazed tile is traditionally used for wall surfaces and has extra duty glazes for floors. The face of this tile is glazed with a glass-like substance fused to the body of the tile. Quarry tile is a heavy-duty product used mostly on floors and fireplace facings and hearths. It is ideal for hard use areas.

•  Any tile areas in your home should be treated with a grout sealer. 

• This sealer should be reapplied per the instructions.

•  When routine cleaning is required, use a good all-purpose cleaner and allow it to stand for about five minutes before lightly scrubbing with a sponge. 

• Rinse well.

• If you have hard water, a good commercial tile cleaner will do the best job. 

 General Areas

•  Glazed tile in general areas (kitchens, family rooms, dining rooms, foyers and hallways, fireplace facings and hearths) require virtually the same steps for routine cleaning. 

• However, heavy-duty cleaning is accomplished with any good household scouring powder and a sponge.

• (Important: When scouring with any powder, test a small inconspicuous area first to assure scouring action does not scratch or dull the glaze.)

• You can also use a good commercial tile cleaner or a good all-purpose cleaner with a nylon scrubbing pad.

• Rinse and wipe dry. 

Routine cleaning of quarry tile

•  Requires mopping occasionally with any good popular household cleaner

•  Rinse thoroughly to keep dull detergent film from drying on the tile surface

•  Heavy-duty cleaning calls for a thorough scrubbing with a good all-purpose cleaner

• Scrub vigorously using a more concentrated solution of this cleaner

• Rinse completely

• Use scouring powder for any stubborn spots which remain

•  Remember, quarry tile needs less maintenance as it ages

• Stain Removal for Ceramic Tile and Grout 

Stain Removal for Ceramic Tile and Grout 

• Type of Stain Removal Agent 

•  Blood - Hydrogen peroxide or household bleach. 

•  Coffee, tea, food - Popular household cleanser in hot water followed by hydrogen peroxide. 

•  Fruit juices and lipstick - peroxide or household bleach. Rinse and dry. 

•  Fingernail polish Dissolve with polish remover. If stains remain, apply liquid household bleach. Rinse and dry. 

•  Grease and fats - Spic & Span and warm water. 

•  Inks and colored dyes - Apply household bleach. Let stand until stain disappears, keeping surface wet continuously. Rinse and dry. 

•  Iodine - Scrub with ammonia. Rinse and dry. 

•  Mercurochrome - Liquid household bleach. 

•  Mildew - Use a good mildew remover and cleaner for tile and grout. Or scrub tile with ammonia, scrub grout with scouring powder; wash with bleach if needed. Rinse and dry. Do not use ammonia and bleach together. 

•  Chewing gum, waxes, tar - Using a wood blade scrape away bulk of material. Chilling material first, with an ice cube, will reduce smears and spreading. Remove remaining light residue with nonflammable paint stripper, following precautions on label. Rinse and dry.