Tiled surfaces are definitely beautiful and stunning to look at. However, the longer it is being used, the more it loses its sparkle and starts to look dull and dingy. Regular cleaning of tiled surfaces is important to maintain their appearance but it is not enough to bring back their lost sparkle. Whether you have a tiled bathroom, kitchen, sink, or any space in your home, make them look fresh and new again with this step-by-step guide on proper tile care and cleaning.
Clean the Surface
First, start with regular cleaning of the tiled surface. Use soap and water and gently wipe off the dirt from the tile surfaces. Be sure to use mild cleaning solution to protect the grout from weakening and chipping off. Dish soap and warm water actually do the trick in removing the dirt from tiled surfaces.
Remove Soap Residue
After cleaning surface dirt, you might notice that there is still soap residue on the tiles that are hard to remove. You could remove it easily by spraying a surface cleaner on the tiled floors and walls and turning on the hot water to build up steam in the area. Once the steam is present, leave the area for 20 minutes to soften the soap residue. This makes it easier to wipe off and clean.
Clean the Grout
Regular dirt on the grout can be easily removed with water and scrubbing. Since grout is a porous substance, it normally holds on to a lot of dirt and grime. Start by applying hot water to the grout and scrubbing it in a circular motion until the dirt is removed.
For more stubborn dirt, use pH-neutral tile cleaners to soften the dirt and make it easier to scrub off. You could also use more alkaline cleaning solutions if the dirt is really stubborn to remove. Alkaline pH is more effective than acidic ones in dissolving dirt without causing much damage to the grout itself.
Deal with Moulds
Moulds could grow under the tiled surface because of the moisture that goes in through the grout. Although you could easily use bleach to kill moulds on non-porous surfaces, it is not that effective on porous ones. Be sure to use a cleaner specifically formulated to target mould and mildew stain and always make it a habit to open the bathroom windows after bathing to lower the humidity and discourage mould growth.
Seal the Grout
Sealing is an important part of maintaining any tiled surface. You don’t need to seal every after cleaning though. You can do this when you notice it’s needed or on a regular schedule. For lesser-used areas, once a year sealing is already enough. For heavily used areas, you could go twice a year or as often as it’s needed.
When you follow this simple guide on maintaining tiled surfaces, you can surely enjoy bright and new-looking tiles in your bathroom, kitchen, or any other tiled space in your home.