Introduction

Your tile may be beautiful, but it’s also a workhorse. It needs to hold up to high traffic and constant use, which means that you need to take care of it. If the tile is installed in the right area, on properly prepared surfaces, and sealed properly before being grouted, it can last for decades without any special attention. Here are some tips for taking care of your tile floor so that yours looks good for years:

Choose a tile that’s appropriate for where it will be installed. Tile is rated on the Mohs scale (1 to 10) of hardness and can be broken down into three distinct categories:

• Ceramic tile is the most common type of tile flooring and is rated on a scale from 1 to 10 of hardness. The Mohs scale measures physical toughness and scratch resistance, with talc being the softest at 1, then gypsum boards at 2, calcite at 3, fluorite at 4 and so on up to diamond (10) which is incredibly hard but also very brittle.
• Tile can be divided into three distinct categories:
• Porcelain: It has a smooth appearance with an exceptionally high degree of translucency; it tends to be heavy in weight as well as expensive; it’s also sensitive to temperature changes—do not install under radiant heat floors or near heat sources since this could crack it.
• Crystal-like glass: This type comes in many different colors including opaque white; its only drawback is that it’s more prone to breaking than porcelain due to its lack of strength when struck by hard objects such as furniture legs; avoid using this type around entryways where there might be lots of traffic or even children playing nearby because they may chip off pieces if they fall over onto them while walking by!

Seal your tile.

Once your new tile flooring is installed, it’s important to seal the surface. Sealing will protect it from damage and help it resist stains, water damage and soiling. It also makes cleaning easier.

To prepare for sealing a tile floor:

• Make sure that no dust or dirt is on the surface. Use a broom or vacuum cleaner to remove any dust or dirt particles that may be visible on the surface of your new tiles. Remove all materials from the area where you will be working (such as ladders).
• Seal all joints between tiles with grout sealer before applying any sealant over them (see Preparing Your Tiles). Allow this joint sealer at least 24 hours before applying any additional coats of sealant over it; however, do not let joints dry out completely during this time period because they might crack if they dry too quickly due to lack of moisture present within them after having been sealed with grout first!

Protect your grout.

Grout is the line of color that runs between tiles. It’s a porous material, so it can’t be sealed and must be cleaned from time to time.

It’s also easy to clean with a sponge and mild soap or detergent. If you have heavily soiled grout, you may want to try using an old toothbrush for scrubbing any stubborn stains out of the grout lines.

Keep it dry.

• Never leave a wet towel on the floor. The tile will absorb the moisture, which can lead to mold and mildew growth in the grout or cracks between tiles. You should also avoid using a humidifier in the room where your tile floor is located. Humidifiers are meant to add moisture to dry air; however, too much humidity can create condensation on your cold floors and lead to dampness beneath them (which might cause mold growth).
• Do not use a dehumidifier in the room where your tile floor is located because this could lead to higher indoor temperatures (and thus more moisture). High heat levels can also damage grout over time as well as make it easier for dirt particles from shoes/feet/etc., etc., etc., etc., etc., ad infinitum#(c)

Vacuum or dry dust.

>-Vacuum or dry dust regularly. You should vacuum your tile floors at least once a week, and preferably more often than that if you have pets or children. To clean the grout between tiles, use the soft brush attachment of your vacuum to gently pick up dirt from the floor without scratching it. If you don’t have a vacuum with a soft brush attachment, you can use an old toothbrush instead. A dry dusting mop (like Swiffer) is also good for removing small bits of dirt from tile floors without making them wet—just be careful not to hit any furniture legs with it!

>-Get into corners with an attachment on your vacuum cleaner’s hose if necessary; this will take care of all those hard-to-reach spots where crumbs tend to hide out until they get dusty again!

Use an all-purpose cleaner.

• Use an all-purpose cleaner. When it comes to cleaning tile, you want to choose a mild cleaner that will not scratch the surface of your tiles or leave residue behind. Avoid cleaners with bleach or ammonia, abrasives like baking soda and scouring powder, harsh chemicals like vinegar and lemon juice, strong odors such as pine oil (which can be damaging), and other ingredients that are too strong for use on tile floors.
• Avoid cleaners that are too weak or too strong for use on tile floors. Weak products will not remove dirt from your floor properly and may even cause damage over time because they don’t penetrate well into the grout lines between each individual tile. Stronger products can also cause damage if they’re left on your floor long enough after using them to clean; this is especially true when using something like a mop (see below).

Clean up spills as soon as they happen.

If you see a spill as it happens, clean up any liquid with a sponge or rag. You can also use a paper towel to get rid of the spill, but be sure to throw away the paper towel immediately after using it and never use it again for anything else.

Once you’ve removed most of the moisture from your floor, use a dry mop to finish drying up any remaining liquid. If there’s still some water left on your floor and you’re worried about drying it too quickly (which could cause damage), just run some fans around your room until everything is completely dry.

Dealing with spills on unglazed tile flooring.

If you have a spill on unglazed tile flooring, the best thing to do is mop it up immediately. If the spill isn’t cleaned up immediately, be sure to dry your floor thoroughly before applying a sealer or wax.

To clean up a spill on unglazed tile flooring:

• Use a white paper towel or cloth (never use colored paper towels) to blot up as much liquid as possible from the surface of the tile. Do not use toilet tissue or paper towels that contain wood pulp because this may leave behind debris that can scratch your tiles.
• Mix 1 teaspoon of concentrated dishwashing liquid in 2 cups warm water using an old spray bottle with holes punched in its nozzle tip so that it sprays like a shower head instead of spraying outwards like regular bottled cleaners do (this will make it easier for you to get into corners). Spray mixture directly onto affected area; let sit for 30 seconds then wipe away with clean cloth/paper towel until all residue has been removed from surface

Careful cleaning will keep your tile looking good for years to come.

Careful cleaning will keep your tile looking good for years to come.

• To clean your tile floor, use a mild detergent and water. Mix one tablespoon of mild detergent with two cups of warm water in a spray bottle. Spray the area with the solution and scrub with a damp mop or microfiber cloth. The floor should be completely dry before you walk on it; otherwise, you can ruin the finish on your tiles by leaving footprints behind!
• You can also vacuum your floors occasionally to remove dirt and grime from deep within the cracks between tiles. To prevent scratching or leaving any marks on your flooring, always use an upholstery attachment when vacuuming hard surfaces such as ceramic or porcelain tiles! For best results: start at one corner of each room, then work toward its center before moving onto another section; repeat this process until all areas have been covered by both sides’ suction power (so long as no one else has moved their furniture around since starting). This way there won’t be any awkward moments where someone bumps into something while trying not get bumped themselves while vacuuming out some dust bunnies underneath something else that belongs entirely separate did not belong together at all times except right now because they are being used together right now so please don’t let me forget again next time we talk about this again later tonight after dinner when I come home from work tonight…

Conclusion

We hope you found this article helpful in learning how to take care of your tile floors. Tile is a great way to add style and character to any room, but it can also be somewhat fragile if it’s not properly cared for. With these tips, though, you’ll be able to keep your tile looking beautiful for years!