How to Clean and Care for Ceramic Tiles

A ceramic floor can last longer than a lifetime. According to the DoItYourself website, "the Romans used it for occupational reasons, and many of the tiles lasted centuries." As with everything else in home care though, "the use and care of the ceramic tile floors in our homes will determine its life expectancy." Here are three tips for cleaning ceramic tile.

Clean up Daily
Clean up any spills immediately. Use plain soap and water to wipe up any messes right when they happen. Though usually sealed, stains can set into the tiles and grout if let to sit for too long. It's easier to clean small messes before they become bigger issues. At least dry wipe the area once a day to keep dust and dirt from building up and getting ground into the grout. Use your favorite brand of floor cleaner (or natural homemade one) that is meant for cleaning ceramic tile at least once a week, or more as needed.

Get on Your Hands and Knees
There is sometimes a price to pay for luxurious things. One of the main tips for cleaning tile is to use a little elbow grease. About once a month, scrub the floor by hand to remove any built up wax and to get into any areas that may be missed during your daily floor care. When cleaning grout, tips include buying a cleaner specifically meant for the job and using a soft toothbrush to work it into all the crevices.

Keep Up the Upkeep
As stated before, ceramic floors can last a lifetime or longer with the proper care but the grout usually doesn't. As soon as staining or cracking occurs, re-grout and reseal the tiles to keep them looking luxurious. Though this can be a time-consuming process, it is well worth the effort and can make the floors in your home look brand new.

For additional tips on cleaning ceramic tile and more check out the following resources:

DoItYourself: How Long Should You Expect Ceramic Tile Flooring to Last?

Going Green: How to Make Your Own Cleaning Products (and Why You'd Want To)

Clean Tile and Grouted Counter Tops

How to Re-Grout Tile Floors

If you are just starting out and want to learn how lay the perfect floor, check out Guide to Installing a Perfect Ceramic Tile Floor.