How to Care for a Ceramic Tile Floor

Tile has made its way out of kitchens and bathrooms and into living rooms and dens all across the country. Refined and sophisticated, ceramic tile is an excellent addition to any home that could use a little added elegance. Ceramic tile is available in a variety of textures and amounts of shine. Ceramic tile, however, can be easily damaged and degraded if not cared for properly. Since it is sensitive to many chemicals, it is important to take special care when it comes to cleaning your ceramic tile. Here are some tips and tricks for the upkeep of this great home asset.

• Keep Dirt off of Your Ceramic Tile - Dirt acts as an abrasive exfoliant to ceramic tile, and it can take the shine out of glazed ceramic tile. Implement and abide by strict rules about shoes on your ceramic tile, and set up doormats where shoes can be removed. Sweep very often to ensure that dirt particles do not get trapped in between or in the textured crevices of ceramic tile. It is also important to avoid gritty cleansers, such as powdered bleach, even on unglazed ceramic tile. While many will use powdered bleach to attempt to lift difficult or deep set stains, repeated use can discolor the ceramic tiles.
• Avoid Any Ammonia or Bleach - Avoid any and all ammonia or bleach based products. Ceramic tile is quite resistant to chipping or cracking, but not that resistant to discoloration or top layer damage. This is especially true for shiny glazed tile. If you need to take care of a very deep set stain, try using a brush with medium coarse bristles.
• Use Bleach Free Bathroom Cleansers - The best cleansing option for ceramic tile floors are the new "green," eco-friendly options that are available at most drugstores and supermarkets. Purchase a bathroom cleanser that is designed to treat scum and mildew, but free of harsh chemicals like ammonia or bleach. These eco-friendly products are quite, if not equally, effective.
• Avoid Scuffs and Scratches - While ceramic tile doesn't often chip, it can get scratches and scuffs. Be careful when moving heavy objects; ideally, lift all objects off of the floor when re-arranging furniture.
• Re-Caulk Every Six Months - Pristine ceramic tile looks horrible if the caulk between each tile is dirty and dingy. Re-caulking your ceramic tile every six months or every year will ensure that the entirety of the tiled area is new looking and pleasing. People who want to avoid having to caulk so frequently can do this by specially treating the caulked areas when cleaning. There are products available designed to clean caulked areas without damaging the caulk itself.

By following these tips, you can rest assured that your ceramic tile will remain lovely and new looking for years to come. Additional options like sealing and periodically re-installing may also be necessary, depending on the conditions that your ceramic tiled floor may face. Take simple precautions, such as being careful when moving furniture, removing shoes at the door, and keeping pets' claws dull. Simple measurements like these will make a world of ceramic difference for most homeowners.