Virginia Tile Care and Maintenance

PORCELAINS AND CERAMICS

Regular dust mopping, sweeping, or vacuuming is recommended prior to cleaning with liquid products. Clean up all spills immediately to prevent staining, or damage to glazing and finishes. Pet urine, feces and vomit should also be cleaned up immediately to prevent damage to glazing and finishes. Avoid cleaning with harsh chemicals including bleach and ammonia. Tile products should be cleaned regularly using a mild soap and warm water, pH neutral cleaners containing no bleach or ammonia, or a tile specific cleaner. Before cleaning, test the cleaning solution in a non-conspicuous area such as a closet, and strictly follow the cleaning agent manufacturers instructions when using.  A multipurpose spray cleaner, which removes soap scum, hard water deposits and mildew designed for everyday use can be used on wall tile areas in residential baths and showers. A cotton mop, cloth, sponge, or non-metallic brush can be used to apply and agitate cleaner. Rinse the area with clean water and dry thoroughly. All residue from cleaning products should be thoroughly removed after cleaning. Cleaning residues left behind can result in accelerated soiling as well as greater difficulty in removing the soiling. Routine cleaners should never contain harsh chemicals as these can damage tile. Acids can damage grout and the glazed surface of the tile. Ammonia can discolor grout. Choose cleaning products that are compatible with the tile as well as the grout.

Unglazed tile should be cleaned routinely with concentrated tile cleaners with a neutral pH for safe regular use. These cleaners are better suited for removing grease, oils, and normal spills from unglazed products. Again, these products will vary depending on the application, amount of traffic and the use. The product chosen should also be compatible with the grout.

Take care to avoid exposing porcelain and ceramic tiles to permanent inks or dyes, as these might not be removable. If porcelain surfaces are exposed to permanent markers or dye, rinse the area with water as soon as possible then apply approved cleaning product. Rinse and dry thoroughly. Although porcelain is resistant to stains from juice, wine, coffee and other food substances, it is best to wipe up spills immediately to prevent possible stains.

To avoid scratches or abrasion marks, use cleaning products and implements that are non-abrasive. Additionally, sweep or vacuum tile prior to cleaning to remove dust or debris.

NATURAL STONE

Natural stone products should be cleaned with neutral cleaners specifically designed for stone. These cleaners are concentrated pH neutral cleaners that will not affect existing sealers or other types of coatings. Stone cleaners should never contain acid or bleach. Acids, even a light solution of vinegar and water, will etch and eventually damage many varieties of natural stone. Strictly adhere to the cleaning product manufacturers instructions for usage when cleaning natural stone products.

If stone needs a deep clean, you will need to use a heavy-duty stone cleaner and degreaser to effectively remove dirt, grease, grime, waxes, etc. These cleaning products are concentrated and designed to deep clean the stone without damaging it. Select a cleaning solution that is designed and approved for heavy duty or deep cleaning of natural stone products. Strictly adhere to the cleaning product manufacturers instructions for usage when cleaning natural stone products. Make sure to always limit the time liquids sit on any type of natural stone and dry the surface thoroughly.

CAUTION: Before using any cleaning products, test in a non-conspicuous location such as inside a closet to ensure cleaners are compatible for the stone and do not cause damage.

A stone specific poultice can be used to remove stains and grout haze from stone. Poultice is a fine, nonacidic, absorptive cleaning powder that removes stains and light cementitious grout haze from polished and unpolished natural stone. Stone poultice efficacy depends on the nature of the stain and how long the stain has been in the stone. Base the selection of the type of poultice on the nature of the stain. If the stain is old or has penetrated the stone deeply, a poultice may not be enough to remove it. Spills should always be cleaned up as soon as possible. Light colored marble and nearly all limestones are subject to staining. Spills on such materials should be cleaned up immediately to prevent staining.

If damage or wear to the stone occurs, we recommend that you contact a professional stone restoration company to perform any corrective or restorative measures. Restoration practices such as stain removal or repolishing should be performed by a professional. Any damage caused by cleaning or restoration of natural stone outside of normal maintenance may result in voiding the warranty of the natural stone.

Sealing is strongly recommended for all stone, especially newly installed marble, granite, and limestone to provide maximum stain protection. Be careful to select a high-quality sealer that is compatible with your stone, to protect your natural stone. Test sealing products in a non-conspicuous area such as a closet to ensure compatibility with the stone as well as your desired results. Strictly adhere to the sealer manufacturers instructions when applying sealers. Natural stone products require regular sealing. Frequency of sealing can depend on type of stone, the application in which the stone is installed such as interior, exterior or wet area applications, traffic as well as cleaning and care products used.

Select a type of stone that is compatible with the area and intended use of the area in which it is to be installed. This is especially important in areas where exposure to acids is possible. Calcium carbonate and calcite-based stones such as Marble and Limestone will react to relatively mild acids, such as lemon juice, vinegar, and sliced tomatoes. The result is not a stain, which could be removed, but an etching of the stone surface, which cannot be removed without refinishing the stone. In polished finish stones, a mild acid attack will usually manifest itself as a “dull” spot within the surrounding glossy surface.

GLASS TILES

For routine cleaning, use any non-abrasive cleaning product recommended for either glass or tile. DO NOT use scouring pads, steel wool, sandpaper or other abrasive products.

METALLIC TILE

To clean, use a liquid non-abrasive, pH neutral cleaner. Avoid cleaners containing ammonia, bleach, abrasives or other hazardous/polluting compounds. Always test in a small inconspicuous area when using a new cleaner to ensure compatibility with your metallic tile. DO NOT use scouring pads, steel wool, sandpaper or other abrasive products.