We all love ceramic tiles. It has an interesting texture, looks better than linoleum, is okay to wet, and doesn’t leave splinters like wood. But adding tile to a home can cost thousands or even tens of thousands of dollars. How can you keep your tile looking new and clean? There are things everyone should be willing to do when adding tile to their home, whether it’s in the kitchen, bathroom, or anywhere in between. Be sure to sweep the tiles regularly, use mild all-purpose cleaners, and seal the tiles.
The first and possibly the most important piece of maintenance is to sweep the tiles regularly. It may take 5 minutes per day to sweep but ignoring this could cost many hours or dollars in the future. Regular sweeping prevents dirt and debris from getting into the bumps of the tiles or the spaces in between. A few minutes with a broom and dustpan prevents this dirt from getting stuck in the tiles and helps them look as new as the day they were installed.
Another important thing to do regularly is to clean your tiles with a mild all-purpose cleaner. Harsh chemicals can strip tiles of their color, corrode them, or even harm people or pets who walk on them. Regular use of soaps, vinegars, or other mild household cleaners can work just as well as occasional use of industrial cleaners. There are some products that are less harmful than others. They are biodegradable, contain no harmful substances and are environmentally friendly. Sometimes a spray bottle full of bleach is needed, but using soap can limit this and keep your tiles looking great for years to come.
About 1-2 times a year you need to reseal that tile. Before sealing, be sure to prepare the tiles for sealing. Otherwise, it will just seal the dirt right onto the tile. Be sure to sweep and clean all dirt and debris before sealing. There are products out there that work well for this. It may be worth considering one of these products at this point. Since sealing is a bit more permanent than just scrubbing, you need to make sure the tiles are clean.
Those ceramic tiles that you put in the kitchen, bathroom, or anywhere else in the house were expensive. If treated properly, they will look good for years or even decades. Just remember that it was no small investment and if you don’t maintain your tile, you could end up paying to remove it and put in a new one. Simply sweeping and cleaning at least once a week and resealing your tiles once every 6 to 12 months can be the difference between loving your tiles for 30 years and replacing them every few years.
