December 30, 2022
How to Keep Your Tiles Stain-Free and Sparkling
Tiles have a way of transforming a space into something beautiful, simple, or extravagant according to the design. If you are bathroom remodeling or doing a backsplash installation, tile contractors are affordable and expert craftsmen in tiling.
Tiles are not resistant to stains like the epoxy grout is. They are made of porous materials and absorb dust and moisture. Moisture can result in the deterioration of the tile and mildew or mold can develop. If your tiles are not sealed the build-up will eventually cause stains that can’t be removed. Tile stains also have bacteria growing in them.
CLEANING MINOR STAINS ON YOUR TILES
Tiles need to be cleaned regularly and, in most cases, daily. Bathroom tiles build up a white residue from the water and this should be cleaned regularly. Kitchen backsplash tiles should be cleaned after every cook or washing-up exercise to avoid oil, water, and food particle build-up. This will ensure that your tiles do not stain as easily.
WHITE RESIDUE IS CALLED EFFLORESCENCE
The white residue that you often see in the bathroom and shower is called efflorescence. It is caused by water leaks and the minerals in the water that hardens the tile’s top layer. With proper maintenance, you can avoid leakage in your bathroom or kitchen.
How to treat efflorescence: You have to get to the root of the leak and fix it. If you don’t you will always have the same problem. Once you have fixed the source of the problem you can clean the efflorescence with a specific cleaner made for it. Perhaps hire Chicago Tile & Backsplash tile installers if you are concerned about using this acid type of cleaning product.
MOLD and MILDEW
Mold and mildew are the biggest problems with tiles. Mold and mildew will be found in small hot spaces with poor or no ventilation as well as bathrooms because of the heat and moisture.
How to treat mold and mildew: Steam cleaning does wonders for cleaning mold and mildew. After cleaning, reseal the grout to keep future moisture from causing mold again. Call a tile contractor for all your tile treatments.
How to prevent mold and mildew: To prevent mold and mildew from appearing in your home, you should dry tiles that have a lot of moisture on them often or daily. This will stop the food supply for the mold and mildew to grow. Always ventilate your bathroom or kitchen by leaving doors open when no one is in the bathroom or by having windows open in your kitchen.
MILKY OR CLOUDY STAIN
If you notice a milky or cloudy stain on your tiles, this is probably due to the incorrect chemicals and cleaning products being used. Hard water can also have the same effect on your tiles. So, if it is not your water then you should consider changing your cleaning products as this can cause permanent damage to your tiles and grout.
Treating cloudy tiles: As with efflorescence, a muriatic acid would need to be used to remove the milky or cloudy film. Chicago Tile & Backsplash are experts in tile cleaning and maintenance of tiles and have the tools and chemicals to do so. Call them today to get your tiles in tip-top shape.
Preventing milky and cloudy stains: Check what cleaning product you are using on your tiles, and change it if necessary to an eco-friendly option. Any soft cleaner will work great.
It is important to wipe down your shower at the end of every day to prevent the hard water from building up on your shower tiles.
STAINS
Stains are caused by various things such as water that is standing still, spilled drinks and food, and chemical spills. This can make the space look dirty or unkept and should be sorted out as soon as possible. Although porcelain and ceramic tiles are the hardest tiles to stain, they are susceptible to burns. A natural stone tile is the most susceptible to stains because it is usually very porous.
Treating stains: The most common stains found in the kitchen are oil-based, however, some stains have colors as well. There are two types of stains commonly found on tiles, they are food or oil stains and there is etching. Normal stains can be removed by using a poultice mix which is like a clay face mask, it pulls the stain out. Deep steam cleaning is also an option and tile contractors even use a tile buffer to remove these stains.
Etching can be a bigger issue than regular stains, because it cannot be cleaned with a poultice mix. Some homeowners try to do a DIY fix of the etching by watching various short videos etc., however, it is recommended that you call a professional to do the job. The tile contractors at Chicago Tile & Backsplash have specialized tools and chemicals to fix almost any tile stain or etching. Often a polish and buffing process is needed to remove etching. Leave it to the professionals if you can.
Preventing stains: All tile surfaces should be cleaned immediately after use to avoid stains. A spill left overnight could result in a stain the next morning.
If you are using a harsh chemical such as bleach or even hair dye, make sure that you have a barrier to protect your tile surface.
If your stone tile is extremely porous you must use a topical sealer which is much thicker than a penetrating sealer. Penetrating sealers soak the stone but a topical sealer will create a barrier on the top layer of the stone tile to protect it.
Regular and stone tiles are beautiful in your home. You must make sure the correct treatment of your tiles and take proper care. Chicago Tile & Backsplash have all the answers to your tile problems so contact them and let the professionals do their job.
