Tile flooring adds a beautiful, sophisticated look to your home. But in order to keep your floors looking shiny and new, proper care and maintenance is essential. Unlike carpeted floors that usually only require a quick vacuuming or steam cleaning, tile requires a bit more attention. Here are a few simple tips to help you quickly and easily clean, repair, and maintain your tile floors.
Clean
Dirt can actually create tiny scratches in your tile floor, so be sure you regularly sweep or vacuum dirt away from the surface of the tile. The grout lines can become dirty rather easily, causing an unsightly appearance. A quick fix for tile and grout cleaning is to make a simple paste of baking soda and water and scrub the grout lines with a soft toothbrush. This will keep it looking clean in a pinch. It's a good idea to mop your tile floors every week or two using a soft mop. Make a mixture of vinegar and water for a super fast cleaning solution. Be wary of store-bought tile cleaners on marble; these can eat away at the stone. Always use a mild cleaner for marble tile. Ceramic and slate can be cleaned using the vinegar method or by mixing a small amount of dish detergent with water and mopping the surface.
Fix
If you see a scratch in your tile floor, don't panic. Most mild scratches can easily be buffed out or fixed using a tile repair kit. If the scratch goes too deeply and you're able to see the white part of the tile, it may be time to replace it. If a tile gets cracked or broken, there's no need to replace the entire floor. Individual tiles can be chipped out and replaced with minimal effort. Be sure you keep extra tiles on hand after the original installation so you'll have a matching replacement. If you don't have spares, find the original source of where the tile was purchased so you're sure you buy a perfect match. Make sure you re-apply matching grout as well.
Maintain
The maintenance of your tile floors will help them stay pristine. Apply a good sealant to all grout lines to protect them from cracking and stains. Re-apply the sealant once a year so the grout stays protected. Use area rugs on parts of your floor where there's a lot of heavy traffic such as the kitchen or main living spaces. A rug at your home's entryway will also help prevent the transfer of mud and dirt onto the tile floors. Never use steel wool or scouring pads to clean your tile, and always be sure you use a soft mop or washcloth to keep the tile from getting scratched. A little bit of care will help your tile flooring stay beautiful and enjoyable for many years to come.
Share6 April 2016
Growing up, I was extremely close to my family. In fact, I lived with my parents and my sister until I married my husband eleven years ago. Unfortunately, I moved seventy-five long miles away from my family after my wedding. But I still visit my childhood home at least once each month. Our growing family also still celebrates all of the major holidays including Easter. Because my husband and I plan to start a family soon, we hope to begin hosting more family gatherings at our home. When this takes happens, I know I will need help cleaning my house. On this blog, I hope you will discover how hiring cleaning services can help you plan a stress-free Easter celebration.
