Bathroom & Kitchen Tile Tips
Here at Italics Tile & Stone, we specialize in tile sales and installation services for bathrooms, kitchens, bedrooms, living rooms, outdoor areas, and more. We serve both residential and commercial clients throughout Marin, Oakland, Berkeley, and the surrounding areas of California. We want you to be completely satisfied and happy with your product for years to come. Please check out these tips to keep your bathroom or kitchen tile or stone product in optimal condition in the future.
Most glazed tiles require a regular cleaning schedule with an acid free detergent, soft cloth and clean water. Frequent changing of the water will prevent dirty mop water build up in textured areas of the glaze and the grout lines. We recommend cleaning porcelain tile with MORE Stone & Tile Cleaner, available in our showrooms.
To protect stone floors, walls and counters, we recommend using a penetrating sealer such as MORE Premium Stone Sealer PRIOR to grouting. Care must be taken to avoid cleaning natural stone tiles with harsh or abrasive cleaners, especially those that contain phosphoric or glycolic acids. Be aware that acidic materials such as vinegar and lemon juice can etch some stone surfaces such as limestone. For superior stone tile maintenance, we recommend MORE Stone & Tile Cleaner, available in our showrooms. Occasional deep cleaning may be required to restore and maintain the stone’s original finish.
Most glazed ceramic wall tiles do not require sealing. However, crackled (or crazed) ceramics should be treated with a penetrating sealer prior to grouting to prevent staining. Periodic resealing is necessary for crazed ceramics in wet areas such as showers. Regular cleaning with gentle soap that contains no acids and a soft cloth is recommended for ceramic tiles. Avoid the use of cleaners that contain phosphoric or glycolic acids.
Glossy glass tiles require simple regular cleaning with products designed for glass. Use a soft lint free cloth for cleaning and polishing. Never use abrasive cleaners or pads on matte or glossy glass tiles. Sanded or matte glass must be thoroughly degreased and cleaned with denatured alcohol using a soft lint-free cloth. Murphy’s oil soap can be used to restore the luster on sanded or matte surfaces.
How to Clean Kitchen Tile
An easy, hassle-free way to clean your kitchen tile is gathering three ingredients that you may even have at home already. The three ingredients are hydrogen peroxide, dish soap, and baking soda. Start by mixing a cup of baking soda with half a cup of hydrogen peroxide. Then add two teaspoons of dish soap and mix well. Use a small spoon to spread the cleaning solution you made into the grout around your kitchen and let it sit for ten minutes. After that, you can use a brush to scrub your kitchen tile! Cleaning brushes work best because they are bigger and you can cover more surface area, but a toothbrush would work too. Let the solution dry and then sweep or vacuum up what is left on the kitchen tile. To finish off the process take a damp rag or a mop and wipe your kitchen tile clean.
Installation Tips
Rectified versus Pressed, which is for me? This depends on how close you would like your grout joint and how modern a look you would like. A rectifed tile means that it is saw cut on all four edges, and allows for a tighter grout joint. We recommend at least a 2mm grout joint for all rectified tiles, and most factories recommend you stagger your rectified tiles at the 1/3rd point of each tile if setting rectangular tiles.
CONTACT US TODAY FOR TILE INSTALLATION IN THE MARIN, OAKLAND & BERKELEY, CA AREA
If you have any questions, count on the friendly professionals at Italics Tile & Stone! With our wide selections of bathroom and kitchen tiles available, it can be hard to choose which material and style are right for your space. Whether you call or come into one of our showrooms, we can answer your queries and help guide you to the perfect tile choice. We proudly provide tile sales and installation service to clients throughout the Marin, Berkeley, and Oakland, CA areas.
