Ceramic tile: there’s so much to love. It’s elegant, gorgeous and long-lasting. But sometimes you get the feeling that you just can’t get it really clean. It can get cloudy and dingy if you don’t clean it properly. The good news is it’s easy to keep your tiles looking great with a combination of gentle DIY maintenance and a professional deep clean.

Why Choose Ceramic Tile?

Ceramic tile has lots of advantages, especially in rooms like the kitchen and bathroom, where water-resistance is a big plus. Here are some of the reasons ceramic tile is a great choice:

• It’s beautiful and stylish with terrific colors, patterns, and textures.
• It’s durable and can last up to 20 years if you take care of it.
• If a single tile gets cracked, it’s easy to replace.
• It’s water-resistant when glazed and sealed.
• It’s a natural material made of clay, sand, and water. That’s why it’s one of the most environmentally friendly flooring options available.
• It’s easy to maintain with a few simple guidelines.

Cleaning Ceramic Tile: What Are the Challenges?

We love ceramic tile, and so do many of our clients. But it seems to attract and hold onto dirt in a way that some other materials don’t. Here are some of the factors to keep in mind:

• Dirt tends to stick to ceramic tile, especially if your tiles are textured.
• Tiles can get a cloudy look if they’re not swept, cleaned and rinsed properly.
• Tiles are held in place by grout, and grout lines can get dingy if not cleaned and resealed regularly.
• Tile tends to pick up stains more easily than some other materials.
• Soap residue can be a problem if you don’t use the right cleaner and rinse thoroughly.

DIY Tips for Cleaning Your Ceramic Tile

One of the most important things to keep in mind with tile is staying on top of dirt and spills as they happen. Here are some tips for cleaning and maintaining your ceramic tile floor:

• Sweep regularly or vacuum with a tile-appropriate attachment to keep dirt from sticking to the floor.
• Start every wet cleaning with a good sweep to pick up dirt and debris.
• Use a rag mop rather than a sponge mop to wash. Sponge mops tend to push dirt into the grout.
• Use mild dish detergent or ceramic tile cleaner to wash your tiles.
• Change cleaning water frequently, so dirt doesn’t get pushed around when you clean.
• Dry your tile floors with a cloth instead of air drying to avoid a cloudy look.
• Spot clean right away when you spill something.
• Hand clean grout with a brush and grout cleaner.
• The World Floor Covering Association recommends that you not use scouring pads or abrasive cleaners on ceramic tile.
• WFCA also recommends not using bleach or ammonia-based cleaners since they can discolor your tile.

Ceramic Tile: The Benefits of Professional Cleaning

Thoughtful maintenance is essential, but there’s nothing like a professional deep cleaning to help your ceramic tile floor look like new. A professional cleaning from Loudoun Carpet Care can remove long-term build-up and get rid of stains in grout and crevices. We also reseal the grout after each cleaning to keep it looking clean. Here’s a look at our thorough five-step process:

• Pre-treat your tiles with a solution to remove dirt and build-up.
• Hand-scrub your grout.
• Buffer-clean the tile with a gentle detergent.
• Rinse with a specialized Hydro-Force tile-cleaning tool to remove all detergents and prevent residue.
• Reseal the grout.

Regular professional cleaning makes your floor easier to maintain on your own. It’s also incredibly satisfying to look at and walk on your ceramic tile after a professional deep cleaning. You’ll fall in love with your ceramic tile floor all over again.