Limestone Floor

Limestone floor tiles have an old world feel that is classy but still feels natural and welcoming, these are some of the reasons why it is ideal for residential use. It also comes in a variety of finishes from honed to semi-polished as well as highly polished. This variety allows it to be used in most any type of room within as well as outside the home. As an added bonus because of its natural anti-bacterial attributes it is more hygienic than most other flooring materials in the market today.

Limestone tile cleaning is not complicated but there are several guidelines one has to follow so that the tiles retain its charming appearance. As always I am a proponent of prevention and floor mats. To reduce the dirt and dust that comes in contact with your floors position floor mats at the entryways of your home. Although beautiful and organic looking limestone is not the sturdiest of floor materials, in fact it does scratch quite easily. When we walk on dust and dirt on a limestone floor the abrasive action may scratch the surface. This means that the less dust and dirt present the lower the probability of the tiles getting scratched. Regular tile cleaning via vacuuming is also needed or you may also use a soft broom to sweep the floor. Some experts do recommend vacuuming or sweeping your limestone floor every day, it does not more than mere minutes and adds to the longevity of the material.

Another limestone tile cleaning maintenance step is mopping the floor. Do this around 3 times a week with as little water as possible. Limestone is porous and too much water may discolor or stain it so wring the mop well before mopping the floor with warm water. You may mop the floor with just warm water or you may use a cleanser that is specially made for limestone tiles. Tile cleaning with acidic or citrus cleaners will damage limestone because it reacts readily with acids. Do not using detergents because it usually leaves residue and makes the floor look dingy.

Pool With Calcium Deposits

Calcium deposits on the tiles of a swimming pool is a real challenge even for professionals. If you are able to hire professional pool or tile cleaning service providers so much the better because specialized equipment is utilized to more easily remove the deposits. Usually companies use a method commonly called bead blasting to clean calcium deposits off of tiles.  This process is able to effectively remove calcium without harming the tiles. If you however want to try your hand at a little do it yourself project and save some money then follow the guide below for a calcium deposit free pool.

First is the list of things we need for our project, the main ingredient we will be using is muriatic acid. Be warned this ingredient is strong and has to be handled properly. In order to safely use muriatic acid one must use protective equipment like gloves, a respiratory mask and goggles. Some may think to do away with using a mask since most pools are outside and not in an enclosed space.  Do not be swayed to this way of thinking, the acid’s fumes are potent and harmful so one must take extra care in order not to damage our respiratory system.  The goggles are needed to protect our eyes should splatters accidentally happen and gloves to protect our skin from the strong solution. After ensuring our protective gear is on get a pail and dilute the muriatic acid. Combine one part of muriatic acid to two parts of water. Do not mix muriatic acid with other cleansers as it may react unfavorably. Some individuals may get the idea that mixing two or more potent chemicals can make ones job easier, this is not generally true and most often will only result in harming the user or the surface being cleaned.

The next step is to apply the mixture of muriatic acid and water to the tile with a rag or sponge. You can then scrub the calcium from the tile. After scrubbing the tile and the calcium deposits have been removed rinse the area with water.

Mosaic Floor Tile

I myself grew up with mosaic tiles on my family’s bathroom floor and although I really loved the look of it, tile cleaning was not the easiest chore one could be assigned. As with almost all troubling situations in life prevention is definitely better than a cure and so it is with tile cleaning as well. If your mosaic floor tiles are newly installed have the grout in between the tiles sealed to protect it from moisture as well as staining. Your tiles could be the cleanest it has ever been but if the grout is stained or discolored the whole area can look dingy. Applying a sealant to the grout is not a necessity but because grout is porous the probability of it absorbing liquids which may lead to staining is great. So applying a sealant is a good investment not only to keep the grout relatively stain free but it also prolongs the life of the grout by keeping moisture away which can cause grout softening.

The good news is mosaic floor tile cleaning is not difficult as long as one does this regularly. The materials needed are usually already found around the house. A vacuum cleaner, broom and dust pan, mop, gentle detergent and synthetic brush are all you need for keeping mosaic tiles sparkling.

How often you clean the floor depends on the area if it’s heavily used. Sweeping the tiles daily with a broom is needed if many people use the room or pass by every day. You also need to vacuum the area after sweeping the floor taking care to include in between the tiles because this is where a lot of the dirt and debris settles. Next, get a gentle household detergent and dilute it in a pail of hot or warm water. Mop the tiles well then rinse by mopping the tiles with only warm water. If there are stains get a non-abrasive brush and scrub the spot. Once the stain is gone mop the area again.

Marble Room

Genuine marble floor tiles possess a gorgeous, distinctive appearance unlike any other, with the variances in color shades and the swirling designs. And yet the same designs which make marble eye-catching according to experts often creates a tremendous problem to match from floor tile to floor tile. To make certain the different tile patterns complement, the Marble Institute of America advises getting your installer lay out the floor tiles across the whole floor prior to installing allowing you to see the layout and make adjustments before the final installation. Every one of your tiles ought to come from the same batch to increase the probability of the tiles complimenting each other.

Marble, like the majority of natural stone tiles, has to be maintained properly. It should be sealed and cleaned on a regular basis; for tile cleaning, just use a gentle soap mixture or a solution specifically manufactured for marble. Don’t put your cup or glass down on a marble surface as it will mark and wipe up any spills right away as they may stain or wear away marble’s porous surface.

Assuming your marble tile has been treated with a sealant it needs to be buffed or polished. Sealants also need to be reapplied from time to time so that the marble will be continually protected and look great. Due to the easily damaged and porous nature of marble you must only use neutral pH tile cleaning products. After cleaning marble tiles you need to wipe it dry or else water spot stains may develop.

Adhesives

As mentioned in the first part of our adhesive tile cleaning blog removing adhesives need not be difficult as long as you know the proper techniques. It also helps to address the spill as quickly as possible, if that is done than a quick swipe with a paper towel to remove the extra adhesive and speedy washing with soap and water will do.

Just to add to the first part of the blog, when using a blade to remove the softened adhesives make sure the movement of your blade is outward or away from yourself. This will ensure that the chances of cutting yourself by accident is minimized. Another tip is to clean  the blade frequently. Should there be an inordinately large amount of glue still present repeat the steps of soaking the cloth and reapplying it on the tile. Then remove softened portions with a blade.  Afterwards wash the area with soap and water to remove any residual stickiness. Sometimes people think that its ok not to finish the process off with a soap and water washing. This however is a mistake because residual stickiness will attract dust and lint which will make the spot look darker and dingy. Also keep in mind that the liquids you will use for adhesive removal are flammable so please extinguish any flames or cigarettes near the area. Finally wipe dry.

If  the adhesive used is our all time favorite all purpose super glue then the approach will be slightly different. As in all projects or fixer uppers that require adhesives spills happen and working with super glue is no different. Superglue howerver has a high strength level and it is necessary to remove it as soon as one can. As superglue containers are small spillages are usually miniscule and when it dries you can just scrape it off with a blade. If residue is still present then dabbing a cotton soaked in acetone can remove the glue.

When trying to remove small spots of adhesive or glue on your ceramic tile using nail polish remover will more often than not do the trick. Just moisten a rag with nail polish remover and rub the affected area. The glue will then soften and will become easier to remove with just your thumbnail or by continually rubbing the tile with a soft nylon brush or rag. In order to remove the last traces of adhesive soap the tile and rinse with water.

Removing dried glue or adhesives from bigger areas will need a rag or piece of cloth that is soaked in a liquid that will soften the hardened adhesive. You can use one of the following substances; mineral spirits, lighter fluid or paint thinner. Note that these substances should never be mixed together; also ensure the area is ventilated properly. Place the rag on top of the glue and let it sit for about 15 minutes to allow the glue to soften. Remove the rag then utilizing a razor blade gently scrape off the adhesive.

Wax-We might think that using wax on slate floors is a good idea as it will make the tile shinier, however waxing will deminish the natural look of the slate. Wax will cover or change the organic shade or tone of the tile thereby creating an artificial look. The grout in between the tiles may also turn yellowish making the floor look less than immaculate. Should you desire a finish that is glossy you may have a sheening product added to the sealant. The downside to a glossy finish is that dirt is highlighted and one has to be more meticulous in keeping the area clean.

Grout Cleaning-A surprising way to safely clean stained and dirty grout in between your slate tiles is shaving foam, spread it on the stain and let sit for 30 minutes. Afterwards wipe the cream away along with the stain. Never use strong acid cleansers on grout as this will weaken it and may result in breakages or eroding of the material.

Slate Tile

Many home owners are now looking into the organic trend in home interior design and one of the materials of choice is slate floor tiles. It is able to bring a more organic feel to your bathroom, kitchen, dining and even living rooms. It is beautiful as well as durable and will last your family a long while however even the strongest flooring materials need proper tile cleaning and maintenance. Continue reading and learn how to best clean and maintain your slate tile floor.

First and foremost slate tiles have to be sealed. Slate tiles when initially installed may not have been sealed, stones that were imported from other Asian countries like India or China may not have gone through a sealant process. Since slate from these areas is more porous, not treating them with a sealant will result in them being more susceptible to stains. This is why it is critical for your tiles to be sealed. Using a water-based polyurethane tile sealant is advisable. This process of applying a sealant will make stains and spills easier to remove and make daily tile cleaning simpler.

Slate tile cleaning is quite simple, it just needs to be vacuumed or swept daily or every other day depending on the foot traffic your home experiences. If many people come in and out of your home on a daily basis then vacuuming everyday will be needed. You also need to mop the tiles with a gentle acid free liquid cleanser at least once a week. First mop the floor with the gentle soap cleaners then rinse it off with water. Finally allow the floor to air dry or you may use a clean rag or dry mop for a speedier drying time.

Used Soap

Tiles can serve your family for many years, it is not only hard and durable but it is also decorative. Maintenance for this part of your home need not be a strain on your budget; there are ways in which you can make your own cleansers for tile cleaning using recycled materials. It may sound odd but these recycled products are effective as well as earth friendly.

Recycled Tile Cleaner

Place some leftover soap in a pail with a gallon of water, and then add a cupful of vinegar and mix. Use this mixture with a mop for floor tile cleaning or a sponge for counter tops. Since vinegar has antiseptic properties it not only cleans stains, it kills germs as well. If the vinegar’s smell is too strong for your tastes then you can add some left over lemon to the mixture or essential oils that you may have in your cupboard.

Homemade Stain Remover

Combine 2 cups vinegar with 1 cup baking soda; place the solution in a clean used plastic bottle. You can use this stain remover by applying it to the tile surface that has the stain. The baking soda and vinegar will loosen the stain, grime or dirt from your tiles then you can finish it off by scrubbing the surface with a brush.

Disinfectant Concoction

If you have had some after dinner cocktails at your house then you can mix one part leftover vodka and water as this makes a strong disinfectant. Spray the concoction onto the tile surface then wipe it off using a wet sponge.

Floor & Micro Fiber Mop

In tile cleaning just like in any endeavor one needs to use the proper tools in order to succeed. I’ve been cleaning flooring for quite some time (no numbers please otherwise you’ll guess my age) and have seen too many people waste time and effort just because they were not aware that the tools which were supposed to help them were in fact hindering them. Also, there has to be a method to the madness so that we maximized the energy and time we have.

My mom started my house cleaning training and it was then and it is now top to bottom cleaning. So before you clean your tiled floor please dust your furniture shelves and what have you first. We do not want to run the risk of cleaning our flooring only to have it dirtied later on because we did not dust beforehand. After dusting be sure to vacuum or sweep the area first. Sweeping or vacuuming removes dust and dirt so that when we mop the floor it will not be so muddy. Some of us probably have a sponge mop and are able to use it effectively on some surfaces; unfortunately this will not work for tiled floors. If you look at the picture on the top you’ll notice that tiles cleaned using a sponge mop moves the dirt and lodges it in the grout. A better alternative if you have it is a microfiber mop. Look at the picture at the bottom and notice that the mop is able to pick up the dirt effectively. If you are using a rag, then use circular movements to wipe the tile.