Cleaning Glazed Prcelain and Ceramic Glazed prcelain and ceramic tiles are amng the easiest flring materials t clean. Due t their impenetrable glazes, their surfaces are resistant t water, dirt, chemicals, il, debris, and even germs and bacteria. D nt clean prcelain tile flring with ammnia r with cleaners that cntain bleach and/r acid. Acid and ammnia based cleaners may mdify grut clr and prduct stability. Use a cleaner that is ph neutral. This ensures cleaning will nt harm yur grut r surrunding surfaces. D nt use wax r il-based cleaners. Use rugs at entrances t prevent dirt and grit frm being tracked nt the tile flring frm utdrs. Tiles are scratch resistant but nt scratch prf. D nt use steel wl r ther abrasive pads t remve tugh debris r stains. Steel wl may scratch yur tiles and lse steel particles may eventually create rust stains in the grut ver time. Althugh glazed surfaces are impervius, the use f a grut release will aid in pst installatin clean up, especially if the glazed surface has a texture t it where mrtar, grut and ther cnstructin debris can get trapped inside grves during and after installatin. Standard Cleaning Guidelines fr Glazed Prducts 1. Sweep r vacuum lse dirt and dust frm the flr prir t washing with water t prevent the tile frm becming muddy r leaving a residue after cleaning. On textured surfaces sweep in multiple directins t ensure the remval f all freign material that might be residing in the textured surface. Fr wall surfaces tile can be gently wiped dwn with a clean, dry clth r rag. 2. Mp the flr with a mild detergent, degreaser, r tile cleaning slutin. Fr textured flrs, the use f a medium bristle brush is recmmended. A spnge r clean clth can be used t apply the cleaning agent t wall surfaces. 3. Rinse the tile thrughly with clean water t remve any left-ver detergents. 4. Drying with a clean clth r rag is recmmended t increase the shine and t prevent water spts r streaks.
Cleaning Unglazed Prcelain and Ceramic Unglazed prducts are highly desirable due t their duble laded and thrughbdy characteristics. Plished finishes are typically prtected by nan and/r wax catings and are resistant t water, chemicals, and scratching. Matte and textured finishes are generally unprtected and althugh the surface is impervius, it may be mre difficult t clean pst install than a plished surface due t the inherent surface characteristics f these finishes n a micr pre level. D nt clean prcelain tile flring with ammnia r with cleaners that cntain bleach and/r acid. Acid and ammnia based cleaners may mdify grut clr and prduct stability. Use a cleaner that is ph neutral. This ensures cleaning will nt harm yur grut r surrunding surfaces. D nt use wax r il-based cleaners. Use rugs at entrances t prevent dirt and grit frm being tracked nt the tile flring frm utdrs. Tiles are scratch resistant but nt scratch prf. D nt use steel wl r ther abrasive pads t remve tugh debris r stains. Steel wl may scratch yur tiles and lse steel particles may eventually create rust stains in the grut ver time. Nan catings shuld remain intact pst install fr added prtectin. Hwever, if electing t remve nan catings, a nan scrub r pultice type prduct may be used. Ask a sales assciate fr details. Althugh unglazed surfaces are impervius, the use f a grut release will aid in pst install clean up, especially if the unglazed surface has a matte r textured finish t it where cnstructin debris can get trapped during gruting. Sealing may als be recmmended pst install t aid in day t day maintenance f these surfaces. It is suggested that a breathable penetrating sealer be applied t matte unglazed surfaces after gruting. This treatment prvides an excellent defense against staining and may be desirable in high traffic areas. Fllw the sealing manufacturer s guidelines fr recmmendatins n hw ften a sealer shuld be reapplied. Standard Cleaning Guidelines fr Unglazed Prducts 1. Sweep r vacuum lse dirt and dust frm the flr prir t washing with water t prevent the tile frm becming muddy r leaving a residue after cleaning. On textured surfaces sweep in multiple directins t ensure the remval f all freign material that might be residing in the textured surface. Fr wall surfaces tile can be gently wiped dwn with a clean, dry clth r rag. 2. Mp the flr with a mild detergent, degreaser, r tile cleaning slutin. Fr textured flrs, the use f a medium bristle brush is recmmended. A spnge r clean clth can be used t apply the cleaning agent t wall surfaces. 3. Rinse the tile thrughly with clean water t remve any left-ver detergents. 4. Drying with a clean clth r rag is recmmended t increase the shine and t prevent water spts r streaks.
Cleaning Metal Tile Many f the metal tiles yu see n the market tday are made frm slid metal, cated in metal glazes, r cast frm plymers that are fused with real metal particles. Due t the presence f actual metal in mst cases, careful attentin must be paid when cleaning these unique surfaces. Stainless steel cleaners fr appliances tend t wrk well n stainless steel tiles as they are typically made frm similar grades f steel. Hwever, it is imprtant t nte that nt all metal tiles are made frm stainless steel and as such a ph neutral cleaner r water with a mild sap slutin can be used. It is nt recmmended that any abrasive cleaners r scuring pads be used t clean metal as it may scratch the surface and cause the tiles t xidize. It is als imprtant t keep the tiles dry and away frm heat as much as pssible. Be sure t fllw grut manufacturer s instructins n cleaning and sealing grut prperly. Grut cleaners cntaining bleach r ammnia may be harmful t the metal if nt applied prperly. Standard Cleaning Guidelines fr Metal Prducts 1. Wipe lse dirt r grease frm the surface. An untreated paper twel r clth is recmmended. 2. Wash the surface with a mild detergent, degreaser, r cleaning slutin (d nt use abrasive cleaners r abrasive applicatrs). 3. Rinse the tile thrughly with clean water if a detergent is used. 4. Drying with a clean clth r paper twel is recmmended t prevent water spts r streaks. Cleaning Glass Tile and Decrative Msaics Glass is ne f the easiest surfaces t clean. Due t its impervius nature, all stains will remain n the surface and can be wiped away with n effrt. When cleaning glass and/r resin based blends the least abrasive methd shuld always be used first as nt t damage, disclr, r scratch the surface. D nt use any abrasive cleaners r scuring pads t clean glass as they may scratch the surface. There are many cleaning slutins n the market tday suitable fr cleaning glass tile. In mst cases a standard glass r multi-surface cleaner applied with a clth r paper twels will wrk well. Standard Cleaning Guidelines fr Glass Prducts 1. Wipe lse dirt r grease frm the surface. An untreated paper twel r clth is recmmended. 2. Wash the surface with a mild detergent, degreaser, r glass cleaning slutin (d nt use abrasive cleaners r abrasive applicatrs). 3. Rinse the tile thrughly with clean water if a detergent is used. 4. Drying with a clean clth r paper twel is recmmended t increase the shine and t prevent water spts r streaks.
Cleaning Natural Stnes Natural stne is a very durable surface when prtected and maintained prperly and is widely used in residential and cmmercial applicatins. Sweep r vacuum yur flrs regularly. Prtect yur stne frm sand and grit as flrs may scratch frm dirt and debris. Be careful with acidic fds and drinks (lemnade, range juice, etc.) as they may etch certain stnes. Never use any cleaners that cntain ammnia, acids, r bleach. Never apply wax r acrylics t the surface as they may damage the stne. Tend t spills quickly. Sealers d nt prevent 100% f damages caused by spills. Sealing all natural stne is highly recmmended. It is suggested that a breathable penetrating sealer be applied befre and after gruting. This treatment prvides an excellent defense against staining and may be desirable in high traffic areas. Fllw the sealing manufacturer s guidelines fr recmmendatins n hw ften a sealer shuld be reapplied. Standard Cleaning Guidelines fr Natural Stne 1. Sweep r vacuum lse dirt and dust frm the flr. Fr wall surfaces, tile can be gently wiped dwn with a clean, dry clth r rag. 2. Mp the flr with a mild detergent, degreaser, r tile cleaning slutin. A spnge r clean clth can be used t apply the cleaning agent t wall surfaces. 3. Rinse the tile thrughly with clean water t remve any left-ver detergents. 4. Drying with a clean clth r rag is recmmended t increase the shine and t prevent water spts r streaks. Cmmercial Deep Cleaning Cmmercial cleaning can present its wn challenges due t the high traffic nature f mst applicatins and expsure t freign debris that a standard residential applicatin may nt be subject t. Cmmercial flrs must be maintained prperly t ensure the lngevity f an applicatin. In additin t fllwing standard cleaning prtcl fr yur prduct type, als cnsider the fllwing: Flrs need t be kept as dry as pssible after cleaning t prevent slip accidents When mpping, the water shuld be changed frequently s yu are nt pushing arund muddy water Scrubbing the flrs t ften with a buffer may cause irregular wear patterns Always be sure t prtect furniture legs and stanchins with felt pads t prtect the flrs frm scratching Chewing gum, grease and ther debris difficult t remve may require use f a plastic putty knife Prir t remving graffiti and ther difficult stains, test a small area t make sure the chemical agents will nt damage the surface. Fr embedded stains, the use f a pultice mix may be required When electing t remve nan catings, a nan scrub r pultice type prduct may be used
Standard Deep Cleaning Guidelines 1. Sweep r vacuum lse dirt and dust frm the flr. Fr wall surfaces, tile can be gently wiped dwn with a clean, dry clth r rag. 2. Mix a high cncentratin cleaner, degreaser, r stripper as needed based n manufacturer s guidelines fr peridic deep cleaning. 3. Agitate with scrub brush r flr scrub machine. 4. Mp up dirty slutin. A wet/dry vac may be used in large areas. 5. Rinse thrughly with clean water, changing water every 500 sq. ft. r as needed. 6. Drying with a clean clth r rag as well as a final dry vac extractin is recmmended t increase the shine, prevent water spts and streaks, and t prevent slip accidents in a cmmercial setting. Cleaning Grut There are many gruts n the market tday that are stain resistant and d nt require a sealer. Hwever, nt all gruts will have these characteristics and special care must be taken t ensure prduct perfrmance is nt cmprmised due t expser t harsh cleaners. Clean tile and stne regularly accrding t standard cleaning guidelines. Anything safe fr the tile will typically be safe fr yur grut. PH neutral cleaners are highly recmmended. Mpping dirty tiles will cause muddy water t get stuck in the grut jints, s keeping tiles cleaned regularly will imprve the lk f the grut. Be careful with acidic fds, drinks and dyes as they may stain certain types f grut. Never use cleaners that cntain ammnia, acids, r bleach. Sme stains may be set s deep in the grut that bleach may be the nly thing t get yur grut clean. Bleaching causes the pres f the grut t pen and hld dirt even mre. As such, sealing after bleaching is highly recmmended. Prlnged use f bleach and ammnia based prducts may cause the grut t becme brittle ver time and in wet applicatins may result in water damage due t cracking and deteriratin. Sealing grut prevents staining. Sealers are nt chemical prf and may break dwn frm cntinued expsure t harsh husehld chemical cleaners. It is suggested that a breathable penetrating sealer be applied befre and after gruting. This treatment prvides an excellent defense against staining, mld and mildew. Fllw the sealing manufacturer s guidelines fr recmmendatins n hw ften a sealer shuld be reapplied. Tend t spills quickly. Sealers d nt prevent 100% f damages caused by spills. A medium bristle brush can be used t scrub the grut jints Pre and Pst Grut Install Tip: Using a grut release r sealer prir t installatin is recmmended especially fr prduct that is prus r has a textured surface. Often times grut particles may becme trapped and difficult t clean during the standard gruting prcess and the use f a rag r spnge may nt pull up all the grut haze. Using a grut release and/r sealer will help prevent this frm happening. Als imprtant t nte is that grut haze left n the surface f a tile will becme difficult t remve and the chemicals needed t remve it at a later time may damage the tile r alter its lks. Heavy duty grut haze remvers shuld be used accrding t the grut manufacturer s recmmendatins befre trying mre cncentrated acid slutins.
Standard Cleaning Guidelines fr Grut 1. Sweep, brush, r vacuum lse dirt and dust frm the surface. Fr wall surfaces, grut can be gently wiped dwn with a clean, dry clth r rag. 2. Mp, brush, r spnge the surface with a mild detergent, degreaser, r tile cleaning slutin. 3. Rinse the grut thrughly with clean water t remve any left-ver detergents. 4. Drying with a clean clth r rag is recmmended t prevent water spts r streaks n the tile. 5. Reseal grut peridically as needed.