Ceramic Tile
Your Design Studio selection sheets include the brand and color of your ceramic tile. Ceramic tile is one of the easiest products to maintain.
Routine Maintenance
| Task | Frequency |
|---|---|
| Wash wall and countertop tile with nonabrasive cleaner | As needed |
| Vacuum ceramic floor tile | As needed |
| Wet mop floor tile with warm water | Occasionally |
| Clean yellowed or stained grout | As needed |
| Fill grout cracks with premixed grout | As needed |
Cleaning
The ceramic tile installed on walls or countertops in your home may be washed with any nonabrasive soap, detergent, or tile cleaner.
Abrasive cleaners will dull the finish.
Vacuum ceramic floor tile when needed. Occasionally, a wet mopping with warm water may be appropriate. Avoid adding detergent to the water. If you feel a cleaning agent is required, use a mild solution of warm water and dishwasher crystals (they will not result in a heavy, difficult-to-remove lather on the grout). Rinse thoroughly.
Grout Discoloration
Clean grout that becomes yellowed or stained with a fiber brush, cleanser, and water. Grout cleansers and whiteners are available at most home improvement and hardware stores.
Sealing Grout
Sealing grout is your decision and responsibility. Once grout has been sealed, it will require periodic maintenance. The homeowner is responsible for the maintenance of these areas.
Separations
Expect slight separations to occur in the grout between tiles. Grout is for decorative purposes only; it does not hold the tile in place. Cracks in the grout can be filled using premixed grout purchased from flooring, home improvement, or hardware stores.
Tile around bathtubs or countertops may appear to be pulling up after a time. This is caused by normal shrinkage of grout or caulk and shrinkage of wood members as they dry out. If this occurs, the best remedy is to purchase tub caulk or premixed grout from a home improvement or hardware store. Follow directions on the container. This maintenance is important to protect the underlying surface from water damage.
Related Topics
Warranty Coverage: See Ceramic Tile Standards for coverage details.