| Wipe glazed wall tiles periodically using a cloth or sponge dampened
with a non oil-based household cleaner. Vacuum glazed floor tiles regularly to remove dirt
and other gritty particles, then damp mop or sponge with an all-purpose, non oil-based
cleaner. Remember not to use ammonia, as it will discolor grout. Clean unglazed wall
and floor tiles in a similar manner using a solution of water and no pine soap detergent
instead of an all-purpose cleaner. A neutral cleaner such as Simple and Green is
excellent!
*Please remember that ceramic tile does not require sealants, waxes, or other recurrent
special treatments. Tile is among the easiest of surfaces to keep clean; most dirt will
not adhere to ceramic tile. However, in the majority of cases, mild detergent in water is
adequate for removal of soil that clings. Do not use oil-based household cleaners. Do not
use ammonia, it will discolor the grout. Generally spoken a neutral all purpose cleaner
such as Simple and Green is excellent!
ORDINARY USE, REGULAR CLEANING PROCEDURES AND MATERIALS
Glazed Tile
Walls: Wipe with a clean, damp cloth or sponge. For soil that clings, use either a
window-cleaning agent or an all-purpose liquid cleaner; spray cleaners for the stubborn
spots.
Floors: Mop on mild solution of soapless detergent in water. Rinse thoroughly.
Unglazed Tile (ceramic mosaic, porcelain, quarry, pavers)
Walls: Wipe with a clean, damp cloth or sponge. Use a diluted
solution of soapless detergent for clinging dirt.
Floors: Mop on mild solution of soapless detergent in water.
Rinse thoroughly.
HEAVY-DUTY USE, OR FOR THOROUGH CLEANING OF ACCUMULATED DIRT
Glazed Tile
Walls: First, try concentrated all-purpose liquid cleaner.
Then try paste of scouring powder applied with a sponge; rub in gently to avoid scratching
the glaze; use a fiber scouring pad, not steel wool (Steel wool should be used on tile
only with the greatest care. Always use new pads, since rust will stain light-colored
tile, and use only fine-textured pads to avoid scratching. The cleaning pads developed to
scour adhesive surfaces like Teflon are safer to all kinds and grades of tile). Rinse and
dry with a soft cloth.
Floors: First, try concentrated solution of soapless
detergent, scrubbing vigorously with a brush; rinse and dry with soft cloth or sponge mop.
Commercial tile cleaner may be needed for truly stubborn dirt in heavily trafficked areas.
Unglazed Tile (ceramic mosaic, porcelain, quarry, pavers)
Walls: Use household scouring powder on a wet sponge, or
all-purpose liquid cleaner on household cleaning pad (always use new fine-textured pads to
avoid scratching. The cleaning pads developed to scour adhesive surfaces like Teflon are
safer to all kinds and grades of tile). Rinse and wipe dry.
Floors: Use concentrated all-purpose cleaner; or paste of
scouring power mixed with water, brushed or mopped onto floor; allow to stand about five
minutes, then scrub vigorously with scrubbing brush. Rinse and wipe dry.
WET AREAS (bathrooms, tub and shower enclosures, steam rooms, etc.)
Glazed Tile
Walls: Use all-purpose cleaner on soft cloth or sponge; wet
walls down and allow to stand for five minutes; rinse well. To remove mold and mildew
stains, use a mildew stain remover following label directions; rinse well.
Floors: Soft cloth or sponge with all-purpose cleaner or
medium-strong solution of soapless detergent. To remove mold and mildew stains, use a
mildew stain remover following label directions; rinse well. To disinfect surfaces, use a
solution of 3/4 cup chlorine bleach per gallon of water; let stand 5 minutes and rinse
well.
If hard water scrum forms, a 50-50 mixture of white vinegar and water may be useful to
remove the deposit. This mixture may, however, cause color-shift and surface cracking in
certain kinds of glazed tile; experiment first on a small area of the affected surface.
The mixture will not harm most glazes nor the surfaces of unglazed tile, if rinsed
promptly. Commercial tile cleaners (for general purpose: CeramaSeal by Bostik; Hillyard
Super Shine-all / Sanitizing cleaner: Hillyard Re-Juv-Nal / Heavy duty: Holcomb
Creme-Scour / Extra heavy duty: Hillyard CSP; X-R14; ProSoCo; Miracle Products; Mapei) are
also available to remove hardwater deposits
Unglazed Tile (ceramic mosaic, porcelain, quarry, pavers)
Walls: Sponge with strong solution of all-purpose cleaner;
wet walls down, allow to stand for 5 minutes; rinse well. To remove mold and mildew
stains, use a mildew stain remover following label directions; rinse well.
Floors: Scrub with all-purpose cleaner or medium-strong
solution of soapless detergent. To remove mold and mildew stains, use a mildew stain
remover following label directions; rinse well. To disinfect surfaces, use a solution of
3/4 cup chlorine bleach per gallon of water; let stand 5 minutes and rinse well. |