Martha Stewart's Best Tips And Tricks For Cleaning Ceramic Tile

Ceramic tiles are a staple in many homes. Versatile in nature, they come in a variety of colors and designs and can be used for the walls and floors in your bathroom and kitchen. With hundreds of styles to choose from, easy installation, and durability, ceramic tiles are the most common type of tiles you can find in the home.

While ceramic tile can be a beautiful addition to your home, dirt and debris can get stuck in the crevices of the tile, tarnishing it. The tile can also get stains and scratches, particularly if it's on the floor where it's being walked over and swept constantly. Ceramic tile typically comes in three finishes: glazed, unglazed, and porcelain. In order to keep your tile looking new and the gleam intact, the type of products you use to clean your tile is important.

Rather than using harsh chemicals on your tiles, use Martha Stewart's tips for properly cleaning your ceramic tile.

When installing ceramic tile, a mixture of cement, color pigment, and sand are used. This concoction, known as grout, helps to fill the space between each individual tile and hold them together. This part of the tile often gets dirty easily, requiring constant cleaning. Stewart recommends using a mixture of warm water and baking soda to scrub the grout.

Baking soda is an alkaline powder (via Homes and Gardens.) This means that it has a higher pH level than water and can be used to get rid of dirt and grease in water without compromising the quality of your tiles. Baking soda is also a deodorizer, removing odors from your tile floors and walls.

After scrubbing the grout with the water and baking soda paste, wipe the entire tile surface with warm water and mild dish soap mixture using a microfiber towel. According to Today, the polyester and nylon fibers in microfiber cloths are more effective for cleaning than a regular cotton cloth. They lift dirt and grime gently, so they won't scratch your ceramic tiles.

With proper care and maintenance, your ceramic tile can last for decades. Ceramic tiles are susceptible to scratches and dullness if dirt, sand, and grit stay on the surface for too long, being carried around by foot traffic. By sweeping and mopping regularly, you can maintain the shine and integrity of your tile floors.

For ceramic tile walls and tubs, keep the grout clean by using the water and baking soda solution. Wipe the tiles down weekly with soap and water and rinse them with clean water (via Daltile). In order to stop mold from growing under the tiles, wipe them down and ensure that they're dry.

Ceramic tiles can come in a plethora of colors; to maintain the hue and shine, avoid using harsh, acidic cleaners such as bleach. Even beloved, natural cleaners such as vinegar can discolor your ceramic tiles. Mild, gentle cleaners are always the best choice for preserving ceramic tiles.