According to The Tile Association in Kent, England, 18,000-year-old tile has been found in the Nile River in Africa. But ancient tile that has successfully passed the test of time can also be found in the Gates of Babylon, the Egyptian Pyramids, and ruins belonging to Ancient Greece, Ancient Turkey, or Arab and Persian countries today. Once tiles started spreading Africa and the Middle East to Europe, the Old Continent, brand new forms of art saw the light of day. The Romans were highly praised for their talent at creating exquisite and intricate mosaic pictures for the rich with the help of small pieces of tile. The Dutch continued to experiment with tile and, by the 12th Century, they had invented faiences, while the British and the Dutch created tile iconography.
Undoubtedly, tiles truly are beautiful design features that have come a long way throughout the history of mankind. And they continue to make their way into the homes of millions of people all around the world even today. And why wouldn’t they? They are classy, sleek, sturdy, and highly versatile, easy to maintain, and add significant market value to any home. Homeowners usually prefer them in the kitchen, bathroom, and entryways. But many opt for ceramic countertops as they are both functional and highly appealing, creating a clean and fresh look and adding a high degree of practicality with minimal upkeep. So what’s the problem then?
Tile And Grout Can Be Hard To Maintain
While easy to clean, ceramic tile can prove to be quite a challenge when it comes to long-term maintenance. It requires proper care so it can be kept in good shape for many years to come. People usually struggle with dull and damaged tile on their ceramic countertops, floors, or shower enclosures, because of improper maintenance, unattended spills and accumulated dirt, grime, and moisture that binds dirt and other particles into the grout. Moreover, a sheen of dirt will also inevitably start to cover the tile, leading to an even shabbier appearance over the years.
What Causes Tile And Grout To Lose The Spark?
- Spills, dirt and grime that have been ignored for a long time could affect the surface and penetrate the grout, staining and discoloring it.
- The use of ammonia or bleach for cleaning purposes will stain the grout, and the changes are usually irreversible.
- Uncontrolled scrubbing and the use of cleaners that are abrasive will scratch the tile and damage its glaze, making it lose its luster.
What Can You Do?
- Never leave any spills unattended and immediately clean them to prevent staining.
- Be careful about the ingredients in the ceramic tile cleaners you use. Opt for organic cleaning products as often as you can, as they will maintain the tile in top shape while minimizing the damage caused by abrasion.
- Regularly sweep, mop, or dust your tile.
- Use soft brush brooms or the soft head attachment on your vacuum cleaner to prevent scratching the surfaces.
- If you want to use eco-friendly cleaning solutions, add half a cup of white vinegar to a gallon of warm water and let it clean, disinfect, and deodorize your tile surfaces.
- Use lemon juice in hot water and use it as a natural polisher that should restore the original shine of the tile.
- Clean stubborn kitchen and bathroom stains on the tile floors using a mix of baking soda and water and apply it locally, on the spots. Use a soft cloth and scrub the stains away.
Do You Need A Hand?
For whatever reason, be it you do not have the time to personally handle the cleaning of your tile, you are unsure which cleaning products and methods would work best for you, or you are having a hard time getting rid of some stubborn stains, asking for professional help is the way to go. Specialized cleaning services rely on expert tile and grout products and methods and they can save you precious time and energy, while guaranteeing to leave your tile in pristine shape.
Companies like the NYC Steam Cleaning are your best bet in your struggle to ensure that your tile and grout regains its sparkling appearance. We rely on the most effective all-natural tile and grout cleaning products. We will not only deep clean your kitchens and bathrooms, leaving your floors and walls disinfected and shiny, but we will also cover the surfaces with protective seal to make the results stay on for longer. Professional cleaners who will seal the grout will keep the discoloration and staining away – keep in mind resealing will be required every two years. For maintenance, you can scrub the grout with a stiff brush and hot water, or a mix of baking soda and water or a hydrogen peroxide solution for stubborn stains. While daily cleaning is not necessary, you can use a hydrogen peroxide spray every other week to keep the dirt and stains at bay.
