What are some tips for caring for a tile countertop? Ceramic tile countertops receive a lot of praise for their low maintenance requirements, and for good reason. While some ceramic tiles require occasional...
Ceramic tile countertops receive a lot of praise for their low maintenance requirements, and for good reason. While some ceramic tiles require occasional sealant, many do not; silicone caulk is also required in cracks expected to hold water frequently. Beyond that, cleanup is easy and special cleaning products are not necessary. Few daily activities are prohibited, as well; hot pans can be placed on ceramic tile, and reasonable amounts of water shouldn't create problems.
Always follow manufacturers recommendations when installing tile. If a seal is called for, be sure to let it cure properly. Also be sure to caulk around sinks, bathtubs and other areas where water will build up. Controlling moisture will go a long way towards preventing tile stains and future problems.
Professional tile installer Michael Bryan explains how he cares for tile, "Cleaning the grout is the trickiest part, but now you can use just about any antibacterial spray cleaner. I normally don't recommend bleach. Bleach works pretty well for the grout, if you want to get it back to white. But generally just soap and water is good enough."
Other homeowners prefer using a window cleaner like Windex on glossy tiles. Harsh abrasives such as Comet or Ajax are usually not recommended, as they can scrape the tiles finish and make it easier for dirt to build up next time (or eventually stain). Other cleaners marked safe for ceramic tile are usable, but not necessarily recommended for daily use,save acid or bleach based cleaners for when they're really necessary. Do not use floor waxes or polishes on ceramic tile.
The tile grout is usually the trickiest part of cleaning a ceramic tile countertop. The grout naturally traps food particles as they are wiped off the counter surface. The grout is also more porous than the tile, and grout stains happen over time. The most common grout staining agent is mildew, followed remotely by greases, coffee, fruit juices, and blood. A bleach-water mixture or bleach-based cleaner can lift most stains, and is one of the few products that will actually kill mold instead of just loosening the visible layers. Bleach should be applied and left on the grout for no more than 5 minutes, then wiped up. Bleach pens made for clothing stains and grout cleanup are available, and do wonders at keeping the bleach where you want it. In a mold problem area, frequent application of mildew-killing Lysol spray can help prevent future stains, as can fixing the root moisture problem (if possible) or sealing with a silicone-based caulk. When a stain absolutely does not want to come up, it's possible to chip out a line of grout and reapply it.
Grout colorant is time-consuming to apply, but is used by many homeowners nonetheless. A dark grout color can help hide stains in the future, and choosing a color that matches the tile can do wonders to improve the appearance of a tile installation. Grout colorant should be installed according to manufacturers directions, but basically involves taping off all tile surfaces on the counter and applying a type of dye to the porous grout.
