Product Care

WALLS & FLOORING TILE

Ceramic tile walls and floors

• If you have soft water, use an all-purpose cleaner (see manufactures list of recommendations). Allow to stand for five minutes, and then lightly scrub with a clean sponge. Rinse well.

• If you have hard water, use a commercial tile cleaner. You may also use a solution of equal parts water and vinegar.

• Be sure to first test this solution in a small area to be sure it won't etch your tile or erode the grout. (Vinegar can damage some crystalline tile glazes). You may need to scrub with a nylon scrubber.

• DO NOT use steel wool as rusting may occur.

• Dry shower walls after each use.

• A light coat of lemon oil (DO NOT USE WITH COLORED GROUT) will help keep water from spotting.

• For heavily trafficked floor areas, a concentrated solution of Spic & Span or Oakite is recommended. Be sure to rinse well.

Unglazed mosiac tiles - Walls and Floors

• Use a household scouring powder on a wet sponge or an all-purpose cleaner with a nylon scrubber.

• Heavy duty cleaning of floors requires mixing scouring powder with hot water to a paste-like consistency and mopping over floors. Allow paste to stand for about five minutes. Scrub with a brush and rinse well.

Quarry tile floors

• Mop with a household cleaner or a vinegar-water solution.

• Easy maintenance and a natural patina can be acquired by following these steps:

  1. Thoroughly clean floor.

  2. Apply a thin film of a soapless, oil-based cleaner, such as Lestoil, Pinesol, or Janitor-in-a-Drum, undiluted to the floor with a soft, clean cloth. Avoid using a mop, which spreads an uneven film of oil over the floor.

  3. After drying, if the floor is "tacky", mop with one half cup of Lestoil mixed with eight cups of warm to remove excess oil from the surface of the floor.

• Continue routine maintenance using a normal solution of cleaner and water. You may expect a uniform darkening of the grout.

Marble

• A patina can be achieved by buffing with marbling rouge when floor becomes dull. Marble is porous and readily absorbs liquids; therefore, it can stain. In order to prevent staining or dirt build-up, regular cleaning with warm water and a clear, non-abrasive, non-acidic soap is recommended.

Caulking and grout

• It is essential to remove and replace caulking (latex or silicone) or grout when it begins to crack or develop holes. If it is not done routinely, water will reach the support surface and cause swelling and will cause the tile to loosen.