3 Tips for Caring for Your New Ceramic Tile Floor

If you just moved into a home that has ceramic tile flooring or just installed ceramic tile in your existing home, then you need to learn how to care for it well. When properly cared for, a ceramic tile floor can last for decades before it needs to be replaced! Thankfully, ceramic tile is a relatively low-maintenance flooring option, so keeping it in great shape is easy.

Read on to learn three tips for caring for your new ceramic tile floor to help extend its lifespan and keep it looking great.

1. Remove Debris and Liquid Spills ASAP to Prevent Tile Damage

The first step to caring for your ceramic tile floor is removing debris and liquid spills from your floors as soon as possible. When family members walk on dry debris on your ceramic tile floor, they can work the debris into the floor and scratch the surface. In addition, while glazed ceramic tile is relatively waterproof, spilled liquids can still stain the tile if not removed in a timely fashion.

To prevent tile floor scratches, gently sweep dry debris off your tile floor with a broom at least once a day. Avoid working debris into the surface of the floor while sweeping, which can scratch the floor.

Clean liquid spills up immediately with a microfiber cloth and a cleaning solution made of one gallon of warm water and 1/4-cup white vinegar. Alternatively, use a special cleaning solution made specifically for ceramic tile.

2. Mop and Dry With Gentle Products

How often you need to mop your ceramic tile floor will vary based on many factors, such as how much foot traffic the floor receives. However, when you do mop your floor, avoid using a cleaning solution that contains bleach, ammonia, or any abrasive ingredients. Cleaning agents that are too harsh can damage the tile glaze or the tile itself.

Instead, clean your floor with the aforementioned water and white vinegar solution, a bucket of warm water and a drop of liquid dish soap, or a special ceramic tile floor cleaner.

Do not mop your ceramic tile floor with a sponge mop, which can work loose debris into the floor, potentially scratching it, and work dirty water into grout lines. Instead, mop ceramic tile with a soft microfiber mop, taking care to avoid pressing the mop head firmly onto the tile.

While you can wait for your ceramic tile to air dry, drying it with a gentle chamois will prevent hard water spots from developing as your floor dries.

3. Reseal Grout on a Regular Basis

All tile grout should be sealed as soon as possible after installation to protect the grout from staining, water damage, and mildew growth. However, be aware that no tile grout sealant lasts forever, and this sealant typically needs to be reapplied approximately every year.

To determine if your tile grout needs to be resealed, simply place a drop of water on the grout. If the water seeps into the grout, then that is a sign that the last coat of sealant wore off and your grout is ready to be resealed

Follow these ceramic floor care tips to keep your ceramic tile flooring in great shape for many years. In addition, have your ceramic tile floor professionally cleaned any time you notice it losing its luster or you neglect to clean up a liquid spill until it has already left a stain behind. Floor cleaning professionals have special cleaning tools and solutions they can use to help bring the luster back to dull ceramic flooring and remove stains without damaging the tile or grout.

Contact the floor cleaning experts at J.G. Carpet Cleaning LLC to schedule ceramic tile floor cleaning and grout resealing service today.