Ceramic Tile Care

A regular pass with a broom or vacuum removes grit that might scratch a tile floor. Don't use tile cleaning solutions containing vinegar for mopping - it can etch the grout and bleach out its color. Also avoid ammonia, bleach, lemon oil, and muriatic acid. Instead, choose a pH-neutral cleaner for routine cleaning and an alkaline cleaner for tough stains.

Easy Does It

To remove stains, start with the mildest solution first. Don't go to more drastic measures until you've tried the easy ones. Tiles are made of a number of different materials and they won't react to chemicals in the same way. Get as much information from your dealer as you can about what products to use, and then test on a small, inconspicuous area before applying the product to the whole floor.

Cleaning Tile Floors

	Reduce the likelihood of spills turning into stains by wiping them up immediately.
	Scrub tough stains with a nylon brush or nonabrasive nylon pad. Don't use steel wool since it can scratch the tile and leave rust stains.
	If your tiles seem to stain easily, seal them. Unglazed tiles and stone are most likely to stain if not sealed.
	Some grouts also stain easily. Seal just the grout if your floor doesn't need to be sealed.
	For stone, a poultice will sometimes work. Mix up a paste of a powdered material such as plaster of paris with a liquid cleaning agent such as water or a mild hydrogen-peroxide solution. Spread the paste on the stain and cover it with plastic. Let it dry for a day or two, then brush it off. Ask your dealer what products to use for your stone.