Tile floor care

Wipe down your tile floor with a damp mop at least once a week (or more often for heavy traffic areas) with warm water. If you want to try something stronger try a mixture of 1 cup of white vinegar to 2 gallons of clean tap water. Never use a detergent or soap, because it can dull the surface or promote the growth of mildew.

Caution: Wait at least 72 hours after installation (to allow new ceramic tile and grout to dry) before damp mopping.

• Remove loose dirt by sweeping or vacuuming
• Following directions, prepare a cleaning solution using a neutral pH cleaner designed specifically for ceramic tile.
• Thoroughly clean the ceramic tile, including the grout joints, following the manufacturer's instructions.
• Rinse thoroughly with clean, warm water and allow to dry. A second rinsing with clean water may be necessary to completely remove all the cleaning solution.

Good quality entry and exit mats will help protect your tile from premature wear. They trap the dirt, sand, grit, and other substances such as oil, asphalt, or driveway sealer that would otherwise be tracked onto your floor. Mats are also suggested at heavy pivot locations, such as in front of your kitchen sink or stove.

Protect your tile by affixing felt or similar pads to the legs of any metal, iron, wood, or plastic furniture that will be placed on it. Exterior metal furniture, which rests on tile floors or patios, may rust and cause staining.

Unless noted otherwise on its packaging, grout should cure for at least 28 days before applying a sealer.