Ceramic floors are a natural progression from conventional cement flooring. Sturdy, long-lasting and easy to maintain, ceramic tiles, both glazed and unglazed, can be used in all parts of your home, especially in wet zones – bathrooms, kitchens, service areas, verandahs etc. You really don’t have to adopt an elaborate or special cleaning routine to keep ceramic floors picture perfect, but regular efforts tend to be more rewarding. Check out some easy tips for maintaining the sparkle of ceramic.
Ceramic floors are a natural progression from conventional cement flooring. Sturdy, long-lasting and easy to maintain, ceramic tiles, both glazed and un-glazed, can be used in all parts of your home, especially in wet zones – bathrooms, kitchens, service areas, verandahs etc. You really don’t have to adopt an elaborate or special cleaning routine to keep ceramic floors picture perfect, but regular efforts tend to be more rewarding.
Check out some easy tips for maintaining the sparkle of ceramic.
Impressive Ceramic FloorsImage - Gharexpert.com
Daily Cleaning
Footprints on wet floor are an eyesore!Image - Mollymaid.com
Irrespective of the type of flooring you have, make sure to sweep, brush or vacuum loose dirt and debris from the floor surface, before using a wet mop or cloth to wipe it clean. However, you should dry ceramic floors, especially glazed ones, immediately after mopping with water to prevent dust from settling on the damp surface. Also be aware wet ceramic floors can prove dangerously slippery to negotiate.
Deep Cleaning
Any spills or accumulated residues that have missed your timely attention will need more elaborate cleaning techniques, but again ceramic floors are really easy to clean.
Use a mixture of white vinegar (1/2 cup) and warm water (4 Liters) to mop the floor. Repeat if the first attempt isn't satisfactory. Follow up with a mix of water and mild detergent if necessary, but you’ll have to rinse the floor with plain water to clear any residues and let the floor dry to complete the routine.
You can also use a 1:1 mixture of Ammonia and water to scrub out mold or mildew formation on wet tiles preferably using a soft brush. Adequate ventilation and ample natural light can minimize mildew formation.
Stain Removal
Stained Tiles
Image - Absolutoutdoors.com
Glazed tiles are less prone to permanent stains; however clearing any spills immediately can prevent staining. You can attempt to remove stains by applying a mix of any floor scouring powder and water or even use a paste of baking soda and water over the stain and scrub out the stain.
Steel fixtures can cause rust stains on ceramic tiles, especially in the wet areas. Dip a rag in Kerosene and rub it over the rust mark to erase it clean!
Common Oversights
Brushing grout blurs the lines on the floor
Image - Todayshomeowner.com
You may have noticed that despite using the best cleaning products and a strict daily cleaning routine, your tiles may be spotless but there is a distinct dark line outlining them. This means it’s time to clean the glue or grout that is used to keep ceramic tiles in place.
Why not get your kids to help with this task. Simply hand them an eraser (pink or white colored ones) and instruct them to mildly rub the dirt from the grout between tiles, but do make sure you try it out first. Reportedly a HB pencil with an eraser at the end should do the trick!
Precautions
Use caution when handling strong cleaning agents
Image - Homeguides.sfgate.com
Ceramic tiles are prone to scratches. Use the right vacuum cleaner (for bare floors), and brushes with soft bristles to avoid any visible marks on the flooring.
Use rubber gloves when using Ammonia or any potentially harmful cleaning agent.
Opt for a strong bleach solution to clean dirt from the grout, only if the grout is not colored and other cleaning techniques prove ineffective.
Clean ceramic floors are not a dream. With regular cleaning and adequate attention it is quite easy to restore and maintain the sparkle.
