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Regular cleaning can be done with detergent and water, and rinsed; or commercial household cleaners or bathroom cleaners used according to label directions. Do not use scouring powders or other abrasives which can scratch the finish.
Special cleaning may be needed for ceramic tile in bathrooms if there is a buildup of: soap scum, a rough white coating, or mildew.
Remove soap scum by sponging with a mixture of 1/2 cup packaged water softener, plus 2 tablespoons rottenstone plus 1 cup hot water; or use a solution of 1-2 tablespoons trisodium phosphate in 1 gallon hot water. Rinse.
Remove mildew by cleaning with a dilute solution of chlorine bleach in water, following label directions on bleach. Rinse. Or use a mildew-retardant household spray.
The rough white coating is a buildup of mineral from hard water (like you get in a teakettle). Dissolve it with a commercial tile cleaner and wipe off.
Occasionally a dark varnish-like stain may build up in a tile shower that has not been cleaned regularly. It is a build-up of body oils and soap scum and very hard to remove. Cover the spot with full-strength liquid laundry detergent and let stand for a couple of hours. Then sponge with water. If it still doesn't all come off, leave detergent on longer and scrub with a brush. Don't use on porcelain enamel tubs or fiberglass or plastic surfaces as it may damage them.
[Info from the Home Maintenance And Repair Database at the Michigan State University website]
Remember bleach should never be used, as it will kill the seal of the tile and grout. If you find your self contently cleaning your grout line you will want to reseal it with a tile sealer. To find out if you grout line needs sealed or if your tile has lost its seal do a water bead test on it. Drop a few drops of water on it and if it bead up then the seal is fine but if it sink in it will need resealed. The harsher the chemical that is used to clean the tile the more damage it will cause the seal. With proper maintenance of tile you should not have to use any harsh chemicals, what vinegar and water should clean your tile.
With white vinegar in warm water. Dry it off with an old towel. Works absolutely great.
There is a product from Australia that is a broom on mop off grout cleaner no nasties. Can also be used for wall tiles. www.pinkstuff.com.au
White vinegar has been proven to work to remove hard water stains and from ceramic wall tiles. See the step by step method below:
Natural Formula to Use:
Pure white vinegar
Method to Use:
1.Fill a clean spray bottle with pure vinegar
2.Spray the vinegar freely over the wall tiles and wait for a few minutes
3.If stains are stubborn spray more vinegar and wait a while longer
4.Simply wipe away with a clean cloth to reveal the shine
Tips:
Sometimes stains are extra stubborn - for this make a paste of white vinegar and baking soda and scrub gently with a soft brush or sponge. Never use an abrasive cleaner like scouring pads, powders or steel wool as this will scratch the surface.
I am desperate to know the answer to this question. We had ceramic tile installed in our kitchen and den less than a month ago, and, when you look at it in certain places from an angle, it looks totally smeared. The only things I have used on it are plain water and water with just a little white vinegar added, and it didn't help at all.
P. Cochran
You should only use a mild soap and water solution for cleaning grout on floor tile. If it was properly sealed this should work fine. If it was not sealed and the dirt has worked its way down into the grout, you can either use a grout renew which is sort of like a paint for grout, or you will have to have the grout replaced.
Grout can be cleaned with household bleach and a toothbrush. The tile can usually be cleaned with scouring powder.
Clean water and natural detergents. Also must seal your tile. It is best to reseal the tile about every 2 years.
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What are the best ways to clean grout in the home?
Depending on the severity of the grout stains, one economical way of keeping grout clean is with white vinegar diluted with water. If this doesn't do the job, you can purchase commercial tile and grout cleaner in any home improvement store. For the most severe grout stains, you can try chlorine bleach, or oxygenated powder, such as Oxyclean or even hydrogen peroxide.
Can you grout a floor if a tile is loose?
You risk having the loose tile cause the grout to chip out. Find a way to secure the tile first.
What is the best way to clean grout on a kitchen floor you have a kitchen that has been closed for twenty years?
only professional tile installer/repairer can do good work. spend money and hire one
Which way can someone get to a clean grout?
Clean grout can be realized in one's bathtub area, for example, by using the appropriate cleaning agent. A natural and non-toxic way to clean grout is to use water mixed with baking soda.
How do you clean shower tile and grout?
That's rough, I have used detergent 9000, its an acid ,if you use it wear resporator,if its not that bad you can use a puddy knife, brilo pad ,or a scotch btight pad, always try a small area to see if you are going to damage the tile.
What is the best way to spread tile grout?
You need a float brush and grout. You want to make sure you have the right kind of grout. For example, you might want a sanded grout for larger grout spaces. Apply the grout with the float at a 45 degree angle, wiping as much off as you go. After it sets, use a sponge to wipe the haze from the tiles.
What is a cheap way of cleaning ceramic tile grout?
A cheap way of cleaning ceramic tile grout is to use bleach and baking soda mixed with water and a toothbrush to scrum between tiles. One can also use a steam cleaner.
Can water be leaking through the grout of a second floor bathroom tile floor?
== == Water can very well find it's way through the floor. It is usually at areas where the tile meets a vertical area at a shower or tub. Movement can occur in these areas. It is best to caulk joints such as these, instead of grout. The caulking will flex, but the grout will crack and allow water to penetrate.
How do you plug whole in ceramic tile?
The only perfect way to repair a tile with a hole in it is to replace it. The second best way is to simply fill the hole with grout. This isn't a pretty repair, especially on dark colored tile, but it will at least stop water from getting behind the tile and turning a small problem into a large problem.
Best way to replace grout?
The old grout can be cut out. The mist efficient way is with an oscillating tool with a grout blade. After the old grout is removed then new grout can be installed. This is a time consuming project.
What causes hairline cracks in the grout around ceramic tile within a few months of installation?
There are a number of things that causes hairline cracks in the grout around ceramic tile. When it happens within a few months of installation the reason could be that your grout was not installed in the proper way. If it is not installed correctly, it shrinks as it dries and cracks.
What is the proper way to dispose of damaged ceramic tile?
Remove the old ceramic tile starting at one of the edges. The best place to begin is where the old ceramic tile butts up against a different type of flooring, such as a carpet or wood floor. Chip away at the grout surrounding the old ceramic tile, using a metal putty knife and hammer. Set the putty knife on the grout and hit the top of the putty knife with the hammer. Work your way around the first tile pegged for removal.2 Slip the blade of the putty knife under the ceramic tile after loosening the grout. Apply pressure to the handle of the putty knife and pop out the old ceramic tile.3 Chip the grout away from the tiles and pop the tiles out, using the putty knife, until you have removed all of the old tiles.4 Vacuum the area with a wet/dry vacuum to remove any residue.
