TILE, STONE, & GROUT MAINTENANCE GUIDE
Most tile and stone surfaces are easy to care for and maintain. There is, unfortunately, a lot of misinformation out there regarding the best care instructions and products to use. It is very important to keep this guide on hand and review what is required to maintain, clean and seal your surface to ensure it will continue to look good for years to come.
DO’S & DON’TS
DO use coasters under drinking glasses—particularly those containing alcohol or citrus juices—to avoid etching. DON’T place hot items directly on natural stone surfaces. Use trivets or mats under hot dishes.
DO use area rugs, put protectors on chairs and furniture, keep your floors swept and free of dirt and sand will help reduce floor scratching as well.
DO avoid cleaning products unless the label specifies it is safe for tile & grout / natural stone.
Some spills will turn out to be detrimental to stone if unattended. Orange juice, lemonade, wine, vinegar, liquors, tomato sauce, yogurt, salad dressing, perfume, aftershave, the wrong cleaning products and so on—through a long list—most likely won’t damage tile or “granite” surfaces (at least in the short run), but will ETCH marble, travertine, limestone, onyx, alabaster and many slates. Therefore:
DO clean up any spills as quickly as possible.
DON’T rub the spill; only blot it.
DON’T use Brillo-pads, steel wool, sandpaper or any other gritty objects to clean your surfaces.
DO clean your tile, stone, & grout surfaces regularly with an appropriate pH neutral cleaner.
DON’T use any powder cleanser, or—worse yet—any cream cleanser.
DON’T use any green or brown scouring pads for dried-on spills. The presence of silicon carbide grits in them will scratch even the toughest granite.
DON’T let cleaner or sealer sit on your tile or stone surfaces for too long before wiping off. However remember: it’s very important to spray the cleaner and let it sit for a while to moisten and soften the soil, before scrubbing. LET THE CLEANING AGENT DO THE WORK! It will make your job much easier and will be more effective.
DO a final wipedown of your tile, stone, and grout surfaces with a dry microfiber towel to remove any leftover chemicals and wipe off any moisture streaks.
DO have your tile, stone, & grout surfaces professionally sealed every 1-3 years.
DO monitor your grout and caulk lines periodically and address any problem immediately.
DON’T use any mildew stain remover on your natural stone shower stall unless it expressly states it is safe for natural stone.
DON’T use any harsh disinfectant, such as LYSOL® or bleach.
DON’T use any regular toilet bowl cleaners if your toilet bowl is placed on a marble or other natural stone floor. They are highly acidic. Possible spills will dig holes in your marble. Clean your bowl with a non-acid toilet bowl cleaner.