It’s all installed and looks great. You love it! You love showing it off! Now, let’s keep it looking that way. Care and maintenance are a necessary evil. But it’s not as difficult as you may think. Just follow our simple recommendations and you’ll always have that gorgeous new look.
Porcelain & Ceramic Tile
Porcelain and ceramic tiles are the easiest to care for! You can feel free to use just about any of your preferred store bought cleaners without fear of ruining your tile. Porcelain and ceramic are both non-porous surfaces so you don’t have to worry about sealing them either. Just follow the manufacturers directions for any cleanser you chose. An inexpensive yet effective method is using equal parts white vinegar and warm water (only do this occasionally as in once or twice a year – we do not advise you to do this as a daily practice). Always use non-abrasive scrubbers as well like soft cloths or a natural fiber string mop. At times more stringent cleaners or scrubbing implements may sometimes be necessary to clean tile, it is best to start out using the mildest options possible to protect the glaze. Use bleach only as a last resort as it may change the color of your grout.
Natural Stone
Proper maintenance of your stone goes hand and hand with a beautiful surface. It is very necessary to preserve and protect your investment so you can enjoy it for many years to come. All stone - granite, marble, slate, onyx, travertine, etc in all finishes – polished, honed, tumbled, etc must be sealed periodically and cleaned properly. We recommend silicon sealers and pH balanced stone cleaners. Do NOT use any product containing bleach or ammonia. Do NOT use any abrasive scrubbers. Both may cause damage. Many sealers indicate that one application will last for several years. We advise to reseal every year anyway so you don’t forget and for added protection. The cleaners we recommend are gentle enough to use daily, if needed. Stop by one of our stores for the complete product line or for more information. .
Glass Tile
While the installation of glass requires very careful instructions, the care of it is very easy. You can clean glass with any household glass cleaner and non-abrasive cloth. It’s that easy!
Grout
Inevitably, your grout is going to get dirty and discolored with time. The good news is that you can help minimize this by applying a protective sealer. While it is a tedious task to apply the solution between all the joints with a special applicator, the grout will look better and preserve better for a longer period of time. It’s important to keep grout protected not only for looks, but damaged grout could lead to damage to tile or the surface underneath it. Newly grouted surfaces need time to cure (up to two weeks) prior to sealing. Cleaning grout is also a tedious task, which requires a brush with stiff bristles and some old fashioned elbow grease. Cleaners formulated specifically for grout as well as the sealers are sold in our showrooms.