Ceramic tile offers a water-resistant flooring option for your kitchen and bathroom. Not only does the tile look beautiful and last for decades, but it also makes cleaning spills easy and can be heated to keep your home warm. Whether you recently had ceramic tile flooring installed or simply want to take better care of existing flooring, keep these tips in mind.

5 Ways to Maintain Your Ceramic Tile Floors

1. Sweep Every Few Days

Remove dirt, dust, and other debris that scratches ceramic tile by sweeping your floors every few days. Limit incoming dirt by asking family members and friends to leave their shoes at the door. You can also vacuum your flooring every second or third day instead of sweeping to eliminate grit.

2. Mop Weekly

Mop ceramic tile every week with a chamois or rag mop instead of a sponge mop to avoid working dirty water into the grouting. Change your bucket of cleaning solution often to give the flooring a deep clean. Finish with a dry mop to promote shine.

3. Give Grouting Special Attention

Focus on grout work during weekly mopping sessions since it will look dingy over time without the right cleaning schedule. Rub a baking soda paste into grout after you mop with a clean toothbrush to keep it brilliantly white. Add white vinegar to the paste for tough stains, and let the mixture stand for an hour before you scrub.

4. Fix Small Scratches

Deal with small imperfections by rubbing brass polish into each scratch or using a scratch repair kit. Toothpaste — not gel — can also eliminate scratches if you don’t have the other options readily available. Apply your chosen product in a circular motion using a soft cloth to gently buff the scratch away.

5. Get Broken Tile Replaced ASAP

Replace seriously damaged tile to avoid further breakage and potential tripping hazards. Contact your local flooring contractor for color matching purposes since contractors typically offer a wide range of floor products to select from.
 

Ceramic tile is one of the many flooring materials available from Carpets To Go, the Onalaska, WI, supplier and contractor serving the Tristate area since 1996. Featuring a second location in Prairie Du Chie, this company offers an extensive inventory and special-orders anything that isn’t in stock. Call (608) 783-3750 for a free estimate, or visit the flooring contractors online to review the selection.