Lifestyle of Tile Tile Selection Tips Easy Tile Care Guide

Easy Tile Care Guide

Type Of Tile/Usage	Routine Cleaning	Heavy-Duty Cleaning
Tile Floors - Glazed	Vacuum regularly to remove gritty particles. Damp mop using solution of water and “soapless detergent.”	Use a commercial tile cleaner or a strong solution of water and “soapless detergent.” If stained, use scouring powder paste. Let stand 5 minutes, brush and scrub. Rinse and dry. For large areas and for areas that are difficult to clean, a power scrubber is recommended.
Tile Floors - Unglazed	Vacuum regularly to remove gritty particles. Damp mop or sponge with water and/or a diluted solution of water and “soapless detergent.”	Use scouring powder paste. Let stand 5 minutes, then scour with brush. Rinse and wipe dry. A small brush is suitable for small floors; consider a scrubbing machine for larger areas.
Tile Shower Tiles - Glazed	Use all-purpose or bathroom cleaner. Allow to stand for 5 minutes, rinse and dry. May also use mixture of equal parts of white vinegar and water or a commercial tile cleaner.	Use chlorine bleach or hydrogen peroxide. For stubborn stains, use scouring powder containing a bleaching agent. Let stand 4 to 6 hours, then scrub and rinse thoroughly. To remove mildew, use a commercial tile cleaner or chlorine bleach or ammonia – but do not mix these chemicals!!!
Tile Walls, Counter Tops - Glazed	Wipe with damp cloth or sponge using all-purpose cleaner. Use window cleaner for glossy surfaces. Wipe dry with cloth.	Clean with scouring powder, commercial tile cleaner using non-metallic scouring pad or very fine grade stainless steel pad. Rinse and wipe dry.
Tile Walls - Unglazed	Sponge with a diluted solution of water and “soapless detergent.”	Use scouring powder paste. Let stand 5 minutes, then scour with brush. Rinse and wipe dry.

A Brief Word About Cleaners

You probably have many excellent household cleaners in your house or favorite ones you like to buy at the store. Most of them will do a good job for you, and so should your favorite cleaner. Remember it is very important to always read and follow the cleaner's manufacturer's instructions and recommended use. If you follow this rule, the cleaner should perform as promised.

All-purpose cleaners can include: Soft Scrub, Scrub Free, Mr. Clean, Top Job, Fantastik, Ajax Liquid, Liquid Comet and Lestoil available at your local grocery store.

“Soapless detergents” are very common at your local store. An example is Spic & Span.

Scouring powders examples include: Ajax, Comet, Bon Ami. Nylon scouring pads like Scotch Brite may be used on your tile, but steel wool is not recommended. Bathroom type scouring powders include Dow Bathroom Cleaner or Crew Bathroom Cleaner. They can be very effective for routine maintenance.

Commercial cleaners like Aqua Mix or Hilliards Assurance are suitable for heavy duty cleaning in commercial applications. Sepulveda Building Materials is your local California source for these type products.

Do's & Don'ts of Tile Care

DO NOT combine ammonia and household bleach!

DO NOT use harsh cleaning agents (such as steel wool pads) which can scratch or damage tile surfaces.

DO NOT use a cleaning agent that contains color on unglazed tile -which may absorb the color due to its relatively porous body.

DO test scouring powders on a small area before using all over the tile.

DO use a silicone sealer on grout joints if continuous staining is a problem.

DO read and follow label directions of all cleaners you use.

DO print out these tips and refer to them as necessary.

Tile Stains – A Simple Removal Guide

Stain	Removal Agent
Grease and/or Fats	Soda and water or commercial spot lifter
Inks and colored dyes	Household bleach (don't mix with any other chemicals!)
Mercurochrome	Ammonia
Blood	Hydrogen peroxide OR household bleach (don't mix with any other chemicals!)
Coffee, tea, food, fruit, juices, lipstick	Neutral cleaner in hot water, followed by hydrogen peroxide OR household bleach (don't mix with any other chemicals!)

Caution: Vinegar can damage some types of tile glazes. Be sure to test this solution to make sure it doesn’t etch your tile or erode your grout!

Your choice of ceramic porcelain Italian Tile for your home is one of the most durable and easiest to maintain for floors, walls, counter tops, patios, pools, fireplaces or even BBQ counters. With proper care and minimum maintenance, our exclusive Italian tile will maintain its original beauty and luster for many years. Generally, the routine cleaning described above is all you need to do to keep your new tile looking new. From time to time you may need to do a heavier cleaning to refresh your tile or to clean tile that has been neglected for a longer period of time. No special or unusual treatment is ever required. Your new tile never needs to be waxed or polished.

Lifestyle of Tile Tile Selection Tips Easy Tile Care Guide