Ceramic tiles are design features popular in many areas of contemporary houses. They vary in size, style, color, cost, finish and are popularly used because of their beauty, durability as well as their convenience to clean. Used either as flooring or on walls, ceramic tiles can be maintained easily if some standard procedures are followed for their upkeep.

Types of Ceramic Tiles:

Ceramic tiles are made from clay containing silicates. A tile is produced when this clay mixture is formed and baked at high temperatures. Ceramic tiles are available in two forms: unglazed or glazed. Unglazed tiles require more cleaning maintenance because they do not have an outer coating. All tiles should be routinely cleaned using a plain water solution. By wiping tiles everyday using water, then drying them one can avoid the build-up of dirt, mold, mildew, and hard water stains that gather on the surface.

Regular Cleaning:

Ceramic tiles are held together by a substance called "grout", a mixture made of cement and fine sand, or comprised of acrylic materials such as silicon, etc. Grout also accumulates mould, mildew and stains. If the grout between the ceramic tiles has begun to mildly discolor and the tiles have a dull finish, you can make a solution of 1/4th cup of mild detergent added to one-gallon bucket of water. Take a sponge, dip it into the water, and clean over the affected areas. Once all the areas have been cleaned thoroughly, rinse the tiles and grout using plain water. While cleaning tiles do not make use of any harsh abrasives such as scouring powder, because these cleansers scratch the tile's surface causing damage.

Cleaning Severe Stains:

For severe grime on tiles and grout, when mild detergent is not effective, you can use a solution made of chlorine bleach and water to remove any dirt present. Before making this solution make sure of proper ventilation and it is also advisable to use strong rubber gloves on your hands especially if you will be cleaning walled surfaces. To make the solution, take one quart of chlorine bleach and mix it into two-gallons of water. Then let the solution sit for about 15 to 20 minutes. Next, take a sponge, mop or soft bristle brush, and dip it into the solution and rub it all over the dirty areas. Let the solution remain on the surfaces, untouched, for about 10 to 20 minutes depending on the amount of grime. After that, rinse the whole area with plain water. Next, use mild detergent and water solution to remove any remaining traces of chlorine bleach. Lastly, rinse the area using only plain water and wipe the tiled surfaces with a clean cloth to dry the area thoroughly.

Apart from using these methods to clean ceramic tiles, you should also use a commercial mildew retardant spray on the tiles to prevent germs from accumulating on them. If these procedures are used on a regular basis, the life of the tiles will increase and keep looking as good as new.

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