Proper tile care

Ceramic tile is a leader among finishing materials. It is used in a variety of rooms: in the kitchen, in the bathroom, loggia, balcony, offices and even as flooring. Tile is an environmentally friendly material, durable, which does not absorb harmful substances and moisture - in a word, ideal for wet cleaning. But for the coating to last as long as possible, you need to ensure proper care for the tiles. Sometimes it’s not enough to wipe the tiles with a wet rag, especially in places near the gas stove and in the bathroom, where condensation accumulates. We will tell you how to care for the tile from the moment of its installation and during the entire period of use. The most important thing is not to use everything that comes to your hand, but to use only proven sparing means and devices.

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How to clean a tile?

Tiles must be cleaned periodically as they become dirty. So, for example, after cooking, it is advisable to immediately wipe the fat from the surface of the coating, and in the bathroom - wipe the tiles with a dry rag after taking a shower. To maintain the cleanliness of the tiles, it is enough to allocate one day a week. In addition, you should clearly understand by what means you can wash the tile, and what - not.

To conduct a safe procedure for cleaning tiles, you need to prepare the following appliances and materials:

1. Warm soapy solution.
2. Vinegar or ammonia, or a special creamy tile care product.
3. Rubber gloves (in some cases you need a respirator).
4. Felt or wool napkin.
5. Soft sponge for washing dishes.
6. Remedy for mold and other microorganisms.
7. Toothbrush for cleaning joints and other hard to reach places.

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Maintenance work

In order for the tile to serve you for a long time, it is advisable to start the “protection” procedure immediately after laying it, without waiting for its damage during operation. Do not forget about the tile joints, which require high-quality tight putty and further proper care. Let's take it in order, what measures should be taken to extend the service of this type of coverage:

• Primary processing. In order to avoid the penetration of the fungus into the joints and microcracks on the tile, it should be treated with a protective sealant based on special solvents. Thanks to this procedure, the tile will not fade for a long time.
• Care for tile joints. Tile cleaning is, of course, good, but tile seams also require careful care. The choice of tools and fixtures depends on the type of grout used. The epoxy mixture is characterized by a high level of wear resistance and tolerates even the most aggressive cleaning products with the strong effect of removing plaque and fungus. But cement-based grouts require special and gentle care because of their sensitivity to acids. Such a base between the tiles should only be cleaned with gentle means with a soft sponge.

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How to care for the tiles?

You already know by what means you can clean the tiles, but before cleaning you need to know what surfaces it is suitable for;

• If the tile is glossy, then it is undesirable to use an abrasive cleaner, metal brushes and other spiky objects.Perhaps right after such cleaning you will not notice any special changes in the coating, but in the future they can still appear, and the gloss will not be the same as with the new tile. It is good to use a sponge or brush with soft bristles, which will remove dirt even from the corrugated surface of the coating without damaging the glossy glaze.
• Do not abuse the use of strong acid-base detergents. After processing the tile with such a tool, they will become clean, but it can be severely damaged if the seams are not covered with epoxy materials.
• Disinfectants with active substances effectively deal with sources of unpleasant odors, mineral deposits around plumbing fixtures. Such funds must be applied to plumbing, as well as the floor and walls, without rinsing them with water. Wet cleaning with special detergents and disinfectants is one of the measures for the proper care of the tiles and excellent protection against microorganisms.
• It is especially difficult to remove hard water deposits, grease and rust spots. It is advisable not to allow them to appear on the tiles, so that in the future you do not have to use potent agents that can damage the surface and structure of the coating and seams.
• In the bathroom, because of the high humidity, a fungus often forms, which then turns into mold. These deposits are easy to wash at the initial stage of their formation, but if measures are not taken in time, they can constantly appear. For this, the room must be equipped with a good ventilation system. Between the door and the threshold there should be a gap of about 2 cm, which will bring moisture out.

Important! Excess condensate not only leads to a deterioration in the appearance of the tile, but can also cause its destruction.

• For cleaning tiles, it is undesirable to use soap with fats due to the fact that over time it forms a film that will dull the luster of the lining.
• Unglazed tiles should only be cleaned with special emulsions that protect the floor from mold. It is recommended to apply wax mastic on such a tile immediately after its laying, which will fix the color and will be a barrier to the development of microorganisms.
• Ten days after laying the coating, the moisture evaporates, and a white salt coating appears on the surface of the tile, which should be washed off with a special acid solution.
• For quick and high-quality cleaning, you can use the contents of the first-aid kit. So, for example, a stunning shine of tiles can be achieved without waxing. To do this, you just need to dilute several tablespoons of ammonia in one liter of water, adding a couple of drops of the substance here to create a shine intended for dishwashers. With this solution you need to wipe the tile, without further washing it off.
• Water with vinegar will help remove greasy stains from the lining, and glass cleaning fluid will replace expensive coating care products.

Important! Floor tiles are particularly affected, so they need proper care. Even when using special tools designed to clean this type of coating, do not forget that dust, sand and small debris brought from the street have an abrasive effect. From constant walking on the ceramic floor, scratches and chips may appear on its surface, so it is very important to monitor cleanliness. To protect the cladding from street dust, it is necessary to put a small mat at the threshold.

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Housewives tips:

1. Before cleaning the tiles and sanitary fittings, you should temporarily open the faucet with hot water. As a result of such actions, the vapor will settle on the walls and the tile will be easier to clean from contamination.
2. Practice shows that most women prefer to use not the "grandmother" methods, but the use of highly active modern substances, which are sometimes unsafe for health. For this reason, it is advisable to use gloves, a respirator and goggles when in contact with detergents.
3. Do not apply the cleaning solution immediately to the entire surface of the tile, as it will dry quickly and then it will be more difficult for you to wash it than the pollution itself.

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Stock footage

We told you how to care for the tiles, which means you can use, and which ones are unacceptable. Adhering to our recommendations for preventive maintenance, you can avoid long and painstaking cleaning of tiles.