Tile flooring is commonly found in many areas of the home, some more so than others. Typically, the kitchen and bathrooms are the most common tiled areas, but there are other places like the laundry room and foyer that are frequently tiled as well. Tile is a great choice for these areas as they are durable, stylish, and handle excessive moisture. With so many tile choices, it is not inconceivable that homeowners are providing care and maintenance for both natural stone and man-made tile. However, it is important that you know how to properly care for them to avoid expediting the deterioration and reducing the condition and aesthetics. We at Leading Carpet Cleaning would like share natural stone tile versus man-made tile maintenance.
Cleaning Natural Stone
With natural stone tile, there are no two pieces that are identical, making the floor patterns unique with the low to high variations in the veining, shading, and colors, depending on the type of natural stone. In residential applications, the top common choices are travertine, marble, limestone, granite, slate, and quartzite, among others. Those that prefer the more uniformed style choices can get the customized look with ceramic and porcelain man-made tile.
Maintenance for Natural Stone Tile & Grout
Applying sealants is the biggest difference between maintenance for natural and man-made tile. Installers are not always diligent, but at the time of installation, natural stone tile should be sealed. However, through the passage of time and normal wear, the sealants eventually deplete, and they will need a fresh coat. Typically, at the time of installation, tiles are sealed after they are installed, followed by adding the grout and finally a last coat of sealant. Depending on the foot traffic, care, and cleaning practices, sealants will need to be reapplied every 6-12 months.
Tile Sealing
The sealants help resist soil, moisture, and other contaminants from absorbing into the tile and grout. Without the sealers, the tile and grout will quickly look dingy and dull caused by the assortment of debris. If you are unsure if your tile was sealed, or if the coat has dissipated, you can perform an easy test. Use about an ounce of water to pour on the tile. You need a coat of sealant if the water absorbs into tile/grout in under a minute. Before a sealing application, the tile and grout should get a deep cleaning, otherwise it will get trapped under the sealer. To ensure maximum results, invest in a professional deep tile/grout cleaning, followed by a professional sealant application. If you decide to do it yourself the floor should be dry after a deep clean before applying the sealant.
Man-Made Tile, Natural Stone & Grout Cleaning
There are many cleaners that are designed for specific natural stones. We recommend using the generally natural stone cleaner for both natural stone and mad-made tile because they are formulated to be gentle enough to not cause any damage to the and grout as well as not to dissolve the sealants, but tough enough to remove the spots and dirt.
Note: Providing you prefer DIY cleaning concoctions, avoid using vinegar. As an acid substance, it will corrode the sealers and polish from polished stones and cause potential damage to the grout and tile with excessive use. To clean your tile and grout in between professional cleanings, sweep up the debris daily, or as often as possible, and mop at least once a week with an effective cleaner.
Carpet Cleaning & More in Orange, Santa Ana, Rancho Cucamonga, Anaheim, Whittier, Riverside, Chino & Fullerton California
When your tile and grout is due for a deep clean and/or sealer, call the experts of Leading Carpet Cleaning and let our elite specialists treat your tile and grout to optimize your clean and aesthetics.
