Tile & Grout Care Tips
- Ceramic tile, Porcelain tile and Clay Pavers (Saltillos) are durable surfaces for floors, walls, and countertops. With few exceptions the tile are easy to clean and care for. Grout is another story. Grout is porous allowing liquids to penetrate and carry stains or dirt into the surface.
- As with any flooring selection, proper care is needed to keep your home looking beautifull for the long term.
- For Cleaning, sealing or any other services you may require, please call 1800MarbleGuy at 800-627-2534.
Most Problems That Occur Are Repairable
- On textured surfaces, use a broom to loosen any dirt or debris in grout lines and on the surface of the tile.
- Use only Neutral pH (7), no rinse, concentrated stone soaps when cleaning.
- Use products that explicitly say “safe for marble” on the label.
- It is common for natural stone to exhibit variations, in color, texture, and finish. These variations are natural and proliferate the stone. Homeowners choose materials based on their personal taste and cost. More consistent materials are typically more expensive.
- Never use vinegar, lemon juice, or bathroom tub and tile cleaners containing acids on marble, limestone, travertine, or onyx surfaces.
- Use a non-acidic soap scum remover or a solution of ammonia and water (1/2 cup diluted in a 32 ounce spray bottle) with a white scotchbrite style cleaning pad on your showers.
- Periodically wash your stone shower floor, soap dish, and any corners with a light bleach solution to kill any mold and mildew present.
- Keep the stain protection on your stone surfaces up by the periodic reapplication of the proper impregnating sealer.
- Use coasters for your liquid soap dispensers, make-up, perfumes, and colognes. This is the main cause of etching on marble vanities.
- Never use abrasive cleansers such as dry powder cleansers or soft cleansers on natural stone.