Common Questions
- How to Clean Grout off of Slate? - Looking for products/advise to remove dried excess grout from outdoor slate tiles.
- How do you remove silicone from a Porcelain Tile? - How do I remove silicone from a textured polished porcelain floor tile without damaging the finish?
- Cleaning Dirty Grout - Hi,I have a question regarding tile cleaning and I hope you can help. We rent our house from some acquiantances. We have only lived here since September, but the light colored tile grout is filthy. We have two dogs and I am sure that contributes. Anyway, I want to have them professionally cleaned, but I checked with the owners first just to make sure. The owners told me that the tile grout has been painted with latex paint (long story he said). Now I don't know if it is safe to have the high pressure cleaning, but absent toothbrush cleaning, we have tried everything. Will professional cleaning hurt the grout (or rather the paint on the grout)? If so, what should we do?
- Scratches in Glazed Tile - Please advise how to remove scratches on glazed ceramic tile.
- White Stains in Mexican Tile that got Flooded - I have a house filled with Mexican tile. Our guest toilet overflowed covering the floor with water and it was days before we discovered it. Now we have what I think is referred to as a white bloom on about 8 tiles that we cannot get off with just regular cleaning. Can you help me identify a solution that will remove the "bloom." Thank you
- How to Remove Yellow Stain in Glazed Shower Tile - The white tile (pocerlain or ceramic?)in my shower is over 35 years old. The tiles near the bottom of the shower stall are yellowed. Regular household cleaners do not work to remove the stain. What product should I use to remove the yellowing but still keep the tile glaze?
- How to Clean Glazed Ceramic Tile - We just got glazed porcelain floor put down and I'm not sure how to clean them,we have small kids so they are dropping stuff on the floor so a quick clean up is needed almost everyday.My question is useing warm vinegar water will it dull my floor?and should I use a cloth mop or sponge?and can I use cleaners like Mr.Clean or pinesol?thank you
- Cleaning with Muriatic Acid - It is my grout that is dirty and stained and won't come clean. i need to seal it again i know this but i need to get it clean first,my question is can i use muratic acid to do so?
- Epoxy Haze - We installed porcelain tile (600sqft) in our kitchen area. We chose light colored epoxy grout because we were told it doesn't stain and is easy to clean. Not so. The installer left what looks like epoxy film on several tiles and the grout looks awful. Is there any way that we can have the grout replaced or cleaned and the epoxy film removed? We have no problem paying $$$ for the service we just can't find anyone who can tell us what to do or who to hire for the job.
- Cleaning Old Tile - im intersted in cleaning quarry tile that are 50 yrs .. they are unglazed. they need to be clean up and reseal to bring out there natural color.. these tile were made in england some time after the war .. so would be quite intersted in some ideas or tips that u might have. thank you for your time
- Sealers,Stains, Cleaning - CAN YOU GIVE ME SOME INFORMATION ABOUT LATEX STAIN AND SEALER GROUT. IS LATEX BASED STAIN AND SEALER GOOD AND HOW CAN I KEEP THE TILE AND GROUT CLEAN AFTER ITS USE.
- Stains and Sealers: We have installed Quarry Tile on open air deck and balcony. After the project was complete we used an outdoor sealer. We found that rain and sun causes gray stains on the tile. We removed the stains with a paint remover solution and the tiles look clean and like new. We are looking for an appropriate outdoor sealer that will protect the Quarry Tile giving it a wet, shinny look and yet not stain with the rain or sun.
- Maintaining Mexican Tile - Can you tell me how to maintain a Mexican tile floor throughout my house. The floor had a whiteish finish on it and a shinny finish. I wnat to clean it good, and clean the grout and re-finish the floors. Do you have a suggestion? Thank you
- Using Acid - Are ceramic tiles cleaned by acid in the factory or is acid involved in the installation process?
- Cleaning Porcelain Tile - since a year and a half, I have a new gres porcellanato lappato floor. The floor always looks stained, even if it is freshly cleaned. Cement has been removed with a special remover, difficult stains have been removed with "Hg remover". After doing that, the floor looked really great. If I scrub it now (not just easy cleaning!) with a brush and with "Hg quick", or with "Lithofin intensive cleaner", it is clean, but that's a hard work. If I clean the normal way, without scrubbing and only with a mop or swab, it isn't clean at all. I know that I don't use too much of the cleaning product, and I take care to leave the tiles as dry as possible. Also, I use rainwater to prevent limestone deposit. The products that I use are especially developed for tiles like ours, and don't leave "layers" on the floor (at least, that I'm told) The kind of stains that are visible are shiny stains, for example when a table or armchair has been moved, it leaves a shiny track that only can be removed by hard work and lots of sweat... also spots and stripes are visible, especially when viewed in direct light. All kinds of light (natural from the window, or artificial from lamps, make the floor look terrible. I don't know anymore what I can do in addition to what I do now. Some people say the floor has to "mature", and "that takes time", but I don't believe that, since it is clean if it is treated very intensively. I would like to have a cleaning-method that is not too much of a work, cause I was told the floor would be a "dream" to maintain. Now, it has only been a nightmare instead. Could you give me a good advice?
- Cleaning Granite Stains - I have a granite counter top and it appears that it retains heat marks from a cup. I thought that granite is the most heat resistant stone, why are there heat marks from a cup? Is there a way to clean or seal the stone so that there will be no heat mark?
- Rust Stains on Ceramic Tile - My tiles at my house (outdoor) homogeneous heavy duty gets stained easily and when a tin is placed on it it tends to get the rusty marks and it will be difficult to remove that. The manufacturer said that it is impossible and they refused to follow up. How could it happen?
- Alcohol Stains - We have spots from bottoms of glasses on black galaxy granite counter top. Suspect it is vodka or scotch stains. Help please.
- Coffee Stain in Stone - I have granite kitchen tops (which have been sealed). a large (12" square) coffee spill sat on the counter, un-noticed, for several weeks, while we were away. It left a very noticeable, mottled stain. Any suggestions? thank you
- How to Clean Haze on Tile - Which grout should you use on marble tile for the floor sanded or unsanded and which cleaner should you use to remove the grout haze left behind. My husband and I have already installed marble in our guest bathroom and it went really good except when it time come to clean it we could not get the grout haze off the marble so Lowe's suggested an acidic cleaner and we used it but didn't over do it because my husband was afraid it would lighten the grout color but it looks like we didn't get the haze off a few of the tile or the acidic cleaner stripped the polish off the top. Can you give us any info for the next time?
- Cleaning Textured Tile - I was wondering we have cermic tile doen that is not smooth it has dimples that trap dirt and is very hard to clean is there a product that can be applied to make is smooth so it wont look dirty all the time the only way to clean it is on my hands and knees with a scrub brush.
- How To Clean a Stain from Granite Stone - Hi, I have a granite tile table. It has stained with alcohol stains. Could you tell me how this is removed, or do you provide a service to fix this. And how much would it cost.
- Porcelain Tile has Haze - I have porcelain tiles in my bathroom that were laid three years ago.From the start there has been a cloudy film that can be scratched away with a blade, but I can't fine any cleaners that will remove the film. The areas I have clesred with a blade have a great finish but to do this to the whole bathroom would take days of constant scraping. Can you advise what will remove the film?
- Cleaning Brown Stains off Exterior Tile - How to most effectively clean white Vitrified ceramic tiles in outdoor area, stained brown grey colour especially closer to grout area?
- How do you clean grout stains or haze off of tile? - I have a tile where there is a grout haze or stain. How can I remove it? Is this normal to have grout residue on the tile?
- How to Clean Grout Haze off Terracotta Tiles - How do you remove grout(with polymer)from terracotta porous tiles?
- Foot Prints on Saltillo Tiles - Hello, looking for a product to help control dusty foot prints on sealed outdoor saltillo tile, any advice is welcome. Thank You.
- Cleaning Glazed Ceramic Tile - I have a glazed ceramic tile floor in my kitchen. Everyone says you don't need to seal glazed tile, but the dirt sticks in the little cerevises it does have. I spent 6 hours scrubbing the floor and finally got it clean. What can I possibly put on the floor to make it eaiser to clean where the dirt will come right up? Is there a wax or a certain sealer to apply to glazed ceramic tile?
- How to Remove Cement Haze on Flagstone - Can you tell me if there is a product that will take "concrete haze" off of flagstone. When we grouted our glagstone with concrete we wiped off the excess concrete off the flagstone but it left a haze. Any ideas?
- Saltillo Tile How to Remove Spiderweb like stains - we have glossy Mexican saltillo pavers in our kitchen- 15 yrs old - they now have black "spidery" lines all over each tile - assuming from basic scuff marks & scratches from chair legs, etc. they look terrible! how do I get rid of the marks without hurting the glossy finish? I tried Mr. Clean magic eraser & it worked somewhat, but it took off the finish so I stopped.
- Porcelain Tile becoming Dull when Cleaned - I have a porcelin tile floor that suddenly is turning dull. Since the last time I washed it, now when I spot clean it the areas I wipe (with just plain water on a towel) are turning very dull. I don't know what happened but now I have a lot of dull patches all over my floor and I am afraid to wipe any more areas. Please help!! any suggestions what happened or how to retore the finish?
- Cleaning Dirty Tile And Grout - I have ceramic tile in my bathroom.I used Bone color grout. My tile is only 4 months old and is very dirty and i cant get it clean. what should i do?
- Soap Scum Staining on Limestone and Slate - I have a bit of a problem. I have a walk in shower that is made from slate and limestone. Slate on the walls and limestone on the floor. Both of these tiles are rough not smooth and they have been finished with an exterior sealant. Over time soap scum has set in and I have tried everything that I can think of to clean this but I am not getting anywhere. Do you have some suggestions?
- Cleaning Ceramic Tile Wet Stains - We have put a bid on a house and when we went to do the inspection, someone had left the faucet running in the kitchen sink and put the stopper in. The kitchen was flooded and probably had water flooding for at least 12 hours. Kitchen flooring is ceramic (glazed) tile and all of the tiles have gray colored stain marks running the entire length of the kitchen and dining room right along the "water line" of where the water was running from the sink. Each of the stains are from the outside of the tiles going inward. We thought at first it was moisture from underneath the tile but after a period of 3 days, the stains are still the same so it's not due to moisture. We've tried vinegar, bleach, various tile cleaners, grout haze remover, but nothing is removing these stains. Any ideas on what we could try to remove these stains? I've been told to try straight muratic acid (been assured it won't ruin the tile) but wanted to run this by you first to see if you had ever heard of this or have any other possible solutions.
- Tile Edges Stained - I contracted with a company to purchase & install porcelain tile in my kitchen. In the last 6 months, the edges of most tiles have darkened making it appear dirty. On 3/3/09, a man inspected the tile, said it was neither dirty, nor absorbing dirt on the edges, I was advised that since the tile has an uneven edge, the glaze normally gets darker from foot traffic. Is this true?
- Do Tile Cleaners Cause Tile to be Slippery? - Do you have any idea of which ceramic tile cleaning products (or cleaning products in general) should NOT be used on tile flooring, mainly due to causing a slippery walking surface?
- Peeling Ceramic Tile? - The top layer is peeling from my ceramic tiles. Have you ever heard of this problem?
- Pencil marks on Slate - I have purchased a home that is 5 years old. It has slate around the fireplace and on the hearth. The previous owners had children and this slate has pencil marks on it. Can you tell me the best way to clean this slate?
- Cleaner Removed Glaze - I recently had a glazed porcelain tile installed in my home. In the process of cleaning the grout I used a product called Zep Shower Tub and Tile Cleaner. The cleaner has removed the glaze for the tiles. What can I do to restore the glaze or at least give the areas a "shiny" look?
- Waxing Ceramic Tile - Can you use wax on ceramic tile?
- Cleaning Granite - I have a large area of polished granite flooring, in 12 x 12" tiles. How do I clean it without streaking? Thank you for your help.
- Residue on Stone - I would like to know what I could use to remove grout residue from 18x18 travertine without damaging it. What is a good sealer for stone.
- Cleaning - What is the best way to clean ceramic tile for the first time?
- Cleaning Tile - How do you clean soap scum from ceramic tile and grout, and why is there a film on the tile after you clean it?
- Cleaning Mexican Tile and Marble - I need to know how to scrub Mexican Marble. Without damaging it. There are fireman boot tracks all throughout the house and the marble is white.
- How to remove Stains - we have laid about 7500 sq ft of porcelain tile from china. the tiles are porous and are badly stained. how do we clean them and seal them? they must look as per their original finish without a polyurethane look. please help!!!!
- Cleaning Granite Tiles - I have a rough Granite floor that needs to be cleaned. This is a commercial store and they have glue and mortar on the floor they said they tried acid and that didn't work. Any suggestions? I would appreciate any help.
- Cleaning Old Terra Cotta Tiles - We have two largeg areas in our home tiled with what appears to be terra cotta tiles. The looked great when we bought our home 5 yrs ago. We clean them on a regular basis but it always appeared to soak the water up and now they are pitted and stained. I called a floor cleaning company who walked in and said "can't help" and ran out of our home. The tiles look like the belong outside and just look dirty all the yome. I would like to know what to do with them. I had wanted to seal them but like I wrote the man said he couldn't help. Can they be painted? Cleaned? Sealed? Help!
- Removig Grout Haze - I have a question about cleaning dry grout from the surface of flagstone used on a patio surface. The place that sold me the flagstone suggested using a laundry detergent and a wire brush and scrubbing. I could be out there for days doing that as the patio is approximately 20 x 30 feet. Is there another way to get the excess grout and haze off of the surface? It has dried but I am hoping that you may have a solution. How about muratic acid???
- Removig Grout Haze - I have a question about cleaning dry grout from the surface of flagstone used on a patio surface. The place that sold me the flagstone suggested using a laundry detergent and a wire brush and scrubbing. I could be out there for days doing that as the patio is approximately 20 x 30 feet. Is there another way to get the excess grout and haze off of the surface? It has dried but I am hoping that you may have a solution. How about muratic acid???
- Removing Paint from Ceramic Tile - I am working in a historical home bath with original subway-style ceramic tile walls & shower. In the shower area one of the walls was painted and the homeowner would like me to remove the peeling paint & clean the tiles. Is there a better option than scraping the tiles one by one with a razor blade that will not damage the old, fragile surface? These tiles are well-adhered but show many fine surface cracks. The paint has popped from the grout lines but not the center of the tiles.
- Dull Tile from Cleaning - I would like to know if I can save the ceramic tiles that I have used Zap cleaner on. They are now dull and I would like to give them that shiny appearance again. Thank you.
How to Clean Grout off of Slate? - Looking for products/advise to remove dried excess grout from outdoor slate tiles.
ANSWER - Looking for products/advise to remoTo clean a cementitious grout off of a natural slate stone, you need to carefully chisel off any large chunks of grout. To remove the grout haze you should use a diluted sulphamic or phosphoric acid with a bristle brush. Make sure you wet the surface of the slate first before applying the acid. Make sure afterwards that you flush the slate with clean water to remove any acid. It may be best to use a wet and dry vacuum to pick up the water for control. Follow manufacturers' directions in the use of their cleaner. Test an out of way spot first to make sure you get satisfactory results before proceeding on the whole floor. For a list of manufacturers with links to their website, who produce acid cleaners, visit our website at www.CTaSC.com and go to the Resources and Links page, then to the Cleaner and Sealers page. Good luck.
Updated: July 20th 2010
Cleaning Dirty Grout - Hi,I have a question regarding tile cleaning and I hope you can help. We rent our house from some acquiantances. We have only lived here since September, but the light colored tile grout is filthy. We have two dogs and I am sure that contributes. Anyway, I want to have them professionally cleaned, but I checked with the owners first just to make sure. The owners told me that the tile grout has been painted with latex paint (long story he said). Now I don't know if it is safe to have the high pressure cleaning, but absent toothbrush cleaning, we have tried everything. Will professional cleaning hurt the grout (or rather the paint on the grout)? If so, what should we do?
ANSWER - There are grout colorants, which are epoxy based used to change the color of grout. Maybe that is what is meant by the latex paint or maybe they in fact did paint it with latex paint? If they used a grout colorant and it was applied correctly it should be able to withstand cleaning. Maybe they used some type of paint that is attracting dirt? I would not use high pressure cleaning unless it was in a commercial kitchen or an industrial application. The best way to clean a tile floor and the grout is to use an appropriate bristle brush on an extended handle so you can scrub standing up (do not use anything that will cause scratches). Use an appropriate tile and grout cleaner (visit www.CTaSC.com resources and links page for links to the websites of cleaners and sealers manufacturers). Avoid acid based cleaners. Add the cleaner to your water and wet and scrub the tile and grout. Use a wet and dry vacuum to pick up the dirty water. Rinse the floor again if necessary and pick up dirty water with wet and dry vacuum. After the tile and grout is dry and is as clean as you want it to be, then apply an appropriate penetrating sealer over the tile and grout. Within 5 minutes of the application of sealer buff dry with a lint free cloth. The sealer will help keep dirt from clinging to the floor and help make it easier to clean, as well as help keep the floor more stain resistant. Good luck.
Updated: April 2nd 2010
White Stains in Mexican Tile that got Flooded - I have a house filled with Mexican tile. Our guest toilet overflowed covering the floor with water and it was days before we discovered it. Now we have what I think is referred to as a white bloom on about 8 tiles that we cannot get off with just regular cleaning. Can you help me identify a solution that will remove the "bloom." Thank you
ANSWER - What you are describing may be the result of using a surface non-breathable sealer over your Mexican pavers. The moisture from the flood may have migrated through the grout joints, or else where, and then caused either an efflorescence condition (white salts) or a cloudy haze from the moisture condensation that is trapped. Either way, you need to use a sealer stripper to remove the sealer and allow the tiles to thoroughly dry out. Afterwards clean the tiles and reseal them. If you know the type and brand of the sealer that was used on the tiles, then go to that manufacturer to find out which stripper to use. If you don't know the type or brand of sealer then find a sealer company with a stripper that removes most types of sealers. Test it out in an out of the way spot to make sure it works to your satisfaction before applying it to the affected tiles or the whole floor. For a list of sealer manufacturers with links to their websites, go to our website at www.CTaSC.com and go to Resources and Links and select the Cleaners and Sealers link. Good Luck.
Updated: February 21st 2010
How to Remove Yellow Stain in Glazed Shower Tile - The white tile (pocerlain or ceramic?)in my shower is over 35 years old. The tiles near the bottom of the shower stall are yellowed. Regular household cleaners do not work to remove the stain. What product should I use to remove the yellowing but still keep the tile glaze?
ANSWER - If the tiles in your shower at the bottom of the wall are glazed tiles and have turned yellow that might suggest there is a moisture problem with your shower where. The shower may have a defect where moisture is trapped in that area for one reason or another. The only way to determine that is to remove the tiles in that area. If in fact you do have glazed ceramic tile (porcelain tile is a type of a ceramic tile) then the staining is likely trapped in the body of the tile behind the glaze. There is no way to remove the staining if that is the case unless you remove the tile and fix the moisture problem. If the tile is an unglazed tile then there is a chance you can possibly remove the glaze with a poultice product and process. Poultice stain removers are normally used on stone products but could work on an unglazed tile. You will have to go through a trial and error process to determine what type of poultice and process works the best. Although if the excessive moisture problem isn't repaired and if you are able to remove the stain then it is likely it will return over time. To find a selection of tile cleaners and where to buy them, go to our website www.CTaSC.com and look on the menu and click Resources and Links and then click on the cleaners and sealers option to find a list of manufacturers with links to their websites. Good luck.
Updated: January 22nd 2010
How to Clean Glazed Ceramic Tile - We just got glazed porcelain floor put down and I'm not sure how to clean them,we have small kids so they are dropping stuff on the floor so a quick clean up is needed almost everyday.My question is useing warm vinegar water will it dull my floor?and should I use a cloth mop or sponge?and can I use cleaners like Mr.Clean or pinesol?thank you
ANSWER - You should never use vinegar to clean tile because it is acidic and it is limited in what it can dissolve in the cleaning process. It doesn't attack grease. Acidic cleaners can etch soft glazed tile surfaces, although glazed porcelain tiles are known to be very hard. Vinegar diluted with water is an old method of cleaning cement haze off the surface of tile right after the tile was installed. The best way to clean a tile floor is to use a scrub brush on an extended handle so you don't have to be on your hands and needs. This method makes sure that textured surfaces and the grout are adequately cleaned. Purchase a neutral based tile cleaner and add to your water. Some types require rinsing and others don't. Then use a wet and dry vacuum to pick up the dirty water. This is an important step because quite often people leave the dirty water to dry on the tile and grout surface that causes it to turn grey and look dirty over time. This cleaning method can be done weekly or monthly depending on the use of your tile floor. Between the full cleaning process you can use a tile spray cleaner to clean up spots as necessary. To make the tile floor have a less tendency to pick up dirt and to make it easier to clean, and to minimize grout staining you should apply a penetrating tile sealer to your clean floor. Apply the sealer with a lint free cloth and within 10 minutes after applying it use another dry lint free cloth to buff it dry to avoid and tacky coatings. Your glazed porcelain tile will not absorb much of the sealer so it doesn't take much. You will have to reapply the sealer every 6 months or so depending on the use of your floor. To find a selection of tile cleaners and sealers and where to buy them, go to our website www.CTaSC.com and look on the menu and click Resources and Links and then click on the cleaners and sealers option to find a list of manufacturers with links to their websites. Good luck.
Updated: January 20th 2010
Cleaning with Muriatic Acid - It is my grout that is dirty and stained and won't come clean. i need to seal it again i know this but i need to get it clean first,my question is can i use muratic acid to do so?
ANSWER - Absolutely do not use muriatic acid to clean your grout, because it can etch your tile damaging the surface, and it can permanently stain the grout. Tile and grout need to be cleaned with a proper cleaner to make sure you don't damage the tile surface or bleach the grout. Use products manufactured for tile, which you can find on our website under Resources and Links and then listed under Cleaners and Sealers. Use a brush on an extended handle for floors or otherwise for walls and abrade the surfaces to get them clean. Make sure your tile won't be scratched by the brush. Follow cleaner manufacturer's instructions. Change your cleaning water frequently. For floors use a wet and dry vacuum to remove dirty water. Rinse walls. For tough stains use a poultice from the cleaner manufacture. Good Luck!
Updated: January 12th 2010
Epoxy Haze - We installed porcelain tile (600sqft) in our kitchen area. We chose light colored epoxy grout because we were told it doesn't stain and is easy to clean. Not so. The installer left what looks like epoxy film on several tiles and the grout looks awful. Is there any way that we can have the grout replaced or cleaned and the epoxy film removed? We have no problem paying $$$ for the service we just can't find anyone who can tell us what to do or who to hire for the job.
ANSWER - The epoxy grout can be removed with a stripper or cut out, but it is messy. If you can get about an 1/8 inch depth in the grout joint you can reapply the epoxy if you properly prepare the existing grout surface. If it is only the color of the epoxy grout that is a problem you can apply an epoxy grout colorant over it and change the color and make it more uniform. Again the grout surface has to be properly prepared. The epoxy haze can be removed with epoxy cleaners. If the tile is a strong unglazed/throughbody tile you can use sand and a detergent and scrub the haze off. There are companies that specialize in sealing and cleaning floors. Check with the manufacturer of the cleaning products you select for referrals. Go to the Resources and Links section of our website www.CTaSC.com and go to cleaner and sealer manufactures to go to their websites to see their respective products. Good Luck!
Updated: January 12th 2010
Cleaning Old Tile - im intersted in cleaning quarry tile that are 50 yrs .. they are unglazed. they need to be clean up and reseal to bring out there natural color.. these tile were made in england some time after the war .. so would be quite intersted in some ideas or tips that u might have. thank you for your time
ANSWER - To determine how to clean an unglazed (through body) tile you first need to determine what substances are causing it to be dirty. If there is a cement residue then a diluted phosphoric or Sulphamic acid can be used. Acid will not remove grease or some other organic stains. I would first use a degreaser or a detergent. Wash the pavers down well and while wet apply the cleaner and let set for 5 minutes. Then scrub with a brush on an extended handle. Then either wash off with clean water into a drain or use a wet and dry vacuum to pick up the dirty water. Next rinse with clean water again. Let the pavers dry thoroughly and apply a penetrating sealer if you want a natural look or use an enhancer sealer if you want more of a wet look. Be sure to wipe the excess sealer off with a lint free cloth after about 5 minutes. I recommend you use products recommended by a manufacturer of cleaners and sealers for ceramic tile. We do have a list of manufacturers under our Resources and Links page at /Resources_and_Links/Cleaners_and_Sealers/. Good Luck!
Updated: January 12th 2010
Sealers,Stains, Cleaning - CAN YOU GIVE ME SOME INFORMATION ABOUT LATEX STAIN AND SEALER GROUT. IS LATEX BASED STAIN AND SEALER GOOD AND HOW CAN I KEEP THE TILE AND GROUT CLEAN AFTER ITS USE.
ANSWER - I am not aware of any Sealers or Stains that are latex based. Normally the sealers are a silicone based material or a solvent. Depending on what type of stain you are referring to it can be the same based material as the sealer or it can be an epoxy based as is used for grout colorants. Go to our website reference section for cleaners and sealers at Cleaners_and_Sealers and go to their website for a selection of good sealers for ceramic tile, stone or grout. The best way to keep the tile and grout clean is to use a neutral based detergent in your water. Use a scrub brush (that won’t scratch the surface) on an extended handle and scrub the floor. It is just as easy as using a mop. Change your water frequently. Then use a wet and dry vacuum to pick up the dirty water. Reseal your tile and grout every 6 to 12 months. When water does not bead up on the surface of the tile or grout then it needs resealing. Good Luck!
Updated: January 12th 2010
Stains and Sealers: We have installed Quarry Tile on open air deck and balcony. After the project was complete we used an outdoor sealer. We found that rain and sun causes gray stains on the tile. We removed the stains with a paint remover solution and the tiles look clean and like new.
We are looking for an appropriate outdoor sealer that will protect the Quarry Tile giving it a wet, shinny look and yet not stain with the rain or sun.
ANSWER - Generally speaking surface sealers, that give you a wet look, that don't breath (allow air to pass) will trap in moisture that can cause a cloudy discoloration. Penetrating type sealers are normally breathable sealers, but they don't give you the wet look. There are some new products called enhancers that are suppose to be breathable. Go to the Resources and Links page, and then select cleaner and sealers. A page will come up with some of the major manufacturers of sealers for ceramic tile. I suggest you visit their web page for additional information.
Updated: January 12th 2010
Maintaining Mexican Tile - Can you tell me how to maintain a Mexican tile floor throughout my house. The floor had a whiteish finish on it and a shinny finish. I wnat to clean it good, and clean the grout and re-finish the floors. Do you have a suggestion? Thank you
ANSWER - There are many different types of sealers that can be used on a Mexican floor tile. So first you need to determine what type of finish you have on the tile surface to determine how best to maintain it. It could be a glazed tile, which means it has a glass-like substance on the surface that is applied and then fired at a high temperature in a kiln. In this case all you can do is clean it. If the glaze surface chips or wears there isn’t any substantial way to repair it. I’m assuming the whitish finish is a stain and not efflorescence (salts) that have migrated to the surface of the tile. If it is efflorescence then you need to clean and reseal it. If the tile has been stained white and a glossy top coated sealer applied it could be an epoxy based sealer that wears well, but is difficult to repair. You would have to contact a company who specializes in this type of epoxy coatings to have it repaired or contact the manufacturer of the tile who provided it that way. If the tile has been stained and a surface based sealer was applied then you can apply a sealer remover that will remove most sealers and then reseal the tile with another sealing system. You may need to re-stain the tile with a white stain. If you know what sealer was originally used then go to that manufacturer for their sealer remover. It you don’t know which sealer was used then you must experiment with some different products. There is a list of sealer manufacturers at www.CTaSC.com website under resources under cleaners and sealers with links to their websites. If the tile was sealed with a water-based penetrating sealer or enhancer then you can clean the tile surface and reapply that sealer per the sealer manufacturer’s instructions. To properly clean the floor, add a tile cleaner product to your mop water or add a neutral based detergent. Scrub the floor and grout with a firm brush (that will not scratch the tile) on an extended handle so you don’t have to be on your hands and knees. Change your water frequently. Then use a wet and dry vacuum to pick up the dirty water, otherwise you leave a dirty film and your grout will always look dirty. Reseal the tile every 6 months to a year depending on what type of sealer you use. You know the sealer is working if water readily beads up. If you are trying to maintain a glossy look then you will develop traffic wear patterns and you will need to reseal it more frequently. There is a list of sealer manufacturers at /Resources_and_Links/Cleaners_and_Sealers/ website under resources under cleaners and sealers. Good Luck!
Updated: January 12th 2010
Cleaning Porcelain Tile - since a year and a half, I have a new gres porcellanato lappato floor. The floor always looks stained, even if it is freshly cleaned. Cement has been removed with a special remover, difficult stains have been removed with "Hg remover". After doing that, the floor looked really great.
If I scrub it now (not just easy cleaning!) with a brush and with "Hg quick", or with "Lithofin intensive cleaner", it is clean, but that's a hard work. If I clean the normal way, without scrubbing and only with a mop or swab, it isn't clean at all. I know that I don't use too much of the cleaning product, and I take care to leave the tiles as dry as possible. Also, I use rainwater to prevent limestone deposit. The products that I use are especially developed for tiles like ours, and don't leave "layers" on the floor (at least, that I'm told) The kind of stains that are visible are shiny stains, for example when a table or armchair has been moved, it leaves a shiny track that only can be removed by hard work and lots of sweat... also spots and stripes are visible, especially when viewed in direct light. All kinds of light (natural from the window, or artificial from lamps, make the floor look terrible. I don't know anymore what I can do in addition to what I do now. Some people say the floor has to "mature", and "that takes time", but I don't believe that, since it is clean if it is treated very intensively. I would like to have a cleaning-method that is not too much of a work, cause I was told the floor would be a "dream" to maintain. Now, it has only been a nightmare instead. Could you give me a good advice?
ANSWER - Apparently your porcelain tile floor has a tendency to pick up dirt that requires you to clean it more frequently. Although porcelain tile is by definition impervious, its surface can have a tendency to pick up dirt, which can be difficult to clean. Keep in mind that the more texture the floor has the more slip resistant the floor will be, but the more frequent and difficult it is to clean. So there is a tradeoff. I would clean the floor the way you like it. Make sure it is dry, and then apply a quality penetrating type of sealer. You can go to the resources Link page on my website for companies that provide these types of products. Make sure the excess sealer on the surface of the tile is wiped off within 5 minutes after applying with a "lint free cloth." The sealer acts as a bond breaker so dirt does not readily attach to the surface of the tile, and it will make the cleaning of the tile easier. The penetrating type sealers don't tend to change the color of the tile or make it too slippery. Although you should test an out of the way area on the floor to make sure you are satisfied with the results before doing your whole floor. Good Luck!
Updated: January 12th 2010
Cleaning Granite Stains - I have a granite counter top and it appears that it retains heat marks from a cup. I thought that granite is the most heat resistant stone, why are there heat marks from a cup? Is there a way to clean or seal the stone so that there will be no heat mark?
ANSWER - I have never heard of granite showing heat marks. The natural granite itself should not be affected by heat. My guess is that there is some coating on the granite such as a sealer that is reacting to the heat. You may want to remove any surface coatings and then seal with a penetrating type of sealer. You should contact a company that specializes in stone cleaning and sealing products, such as those listed in the resource section of this website listed under Cleaners and Sealers. Good Luck!
Updated: January 12th 2010
Rust Stains on Ceramic Tile - My tiles at my house (outdoor) homogeneous heavy duty gets stained easily and when a tin is placed on it it tends to get the rusty marks and it will be difficult to remove that.
The manufacturer said that it is impossible and they refused to follow up.
How could it happen?
ANSWER - I assume when you say heavy duty homogenous tiles you are referring to an unglazed clay through-body tile and that it may be a ceramic porcelain tile that is very dense. Although these tiles are very dense and considered impervious in terms of absorption they can still stain. These tiles do have micro pores where contaminates can be lodged. If you put metal on any surface and it gets exposed to moisture, as you would expect for an exterior application, then you would expect rust to occur. The rust may be more difficult to remove on some products than others depending on the composition and treatment of the product. It would be best to place the metal object on a plate or pedestal to keep it from contacting the tile. A glazed tile would be the most resistant to the staining since it has a glass like surface. You could seal your tile that will make it more stain resistant and will act as a bond breaker so the rust doesn’t tend to attach as well and should be easier to remove. For links to manufacturers of sealers websites located under our resources and links section. Good Luck!
Updated: January 12th 2010
Coffee Stain in Stone - I have granite kitchen tops (which have been sealed). a large (12" square) coffee spill sat on the counter, un-noticed, for several weeks, while we were away. It left a very noticeable, mottled stain. Any suggestions? thank you
ANSWER - Even though you sealed your granite counter top it doesn't prevent staining if the coffee spill was left on for an excessive amount of time or if it wasn't cleaned completely. The stain should be removable. You can either employee a professional stone restoration company to do it for you who has experience or you can try yourself with caution. The Marble Institute of America (MIA) states in their design manual that "Organic Stains, such as those caused by coffee, tea, tobacco, paper, food, urine, leaves, bark, and bird droppings may cause a pinkish-brown stain. For indoor stone stains, clean with 12% hydrogen peroxide and a few drops of ammonia." There area also stain removers for stone called Poultices, which is a chemical or mixture of chemicals combined with an absorbent material, forming a thick paste. It is spread over the stain and left to draw out the stain into the absorbent material for 24 to 48 hours. You can purchase the poultices from one of the companies listed on our website in the resources and links section under Cleaners, Sealers and Treatments. Good Luck!
Updated: January 12th 2010
How to Clean Haze on Tile - Which grout should you use on marble tile for the floor sanded or unsanded and which cleaner should you use to remove the grout haze left behind. My husband and I have already installed marble in our guest bathroom and it went really good except when it time come to clean it we could not get the grout haze off the marble so Lowe's suggested an acidic cleaner and we used it but didn't over do it because my husband was afraid it would lighten the grout color but it looks like we didn't get the haze off a few of the tile or the acidic cleaner stripped the polish off the top. Can you give us any info for the next time?
ANSWER - Deciding on whether to use sanded grout or non-sanded grout depends on the width of the grout joint and whether the tile surface is sensitive to abrasion. Non-sanded grout is designed for grout joints 1/8" wide or less. Sanded grout is normally designed for grout joints 1/8" wide or larger. Grout joints over 1/2" wide need a heavier gauge blend of sand to perform well. 1/8" wide grout joints can use either one, but sanded grout tends to be more stable and doesn't shrink as much. Soft polished stones or soft glazed tiles can scratch when being grouted with a sanded grout, so always test the sanded grout with the tile first to make sure it doesn't scratch it. Avoid using acid to clean polished stones and glazed tiles because it can etch the surface of the tile and bleach the grout joints. The stone can be re-polished, but the glazed tile may not be repairable. Never use highly corrosive acids such as muriatic acid. A gentile sulfamic acid or a highly diluted phosphoric acid might be used, or a highly diluted vinegar. If you use acids make sure the tile surface is saturated with clean water first, and then thoroughly rinse immediately after cleaning. Use cleaners that are specifically designed for cleaning your tile. Go to the www.CTaSC.com website Resources and Links page then to cleaners and sealers page to get links to manufacturers of these products. Acidic cleaners are only used to remove cement film and does not work to remove other types of stains. If you use a latex modified or polymer modified cement grout then the haze can be a latex haze, which an acid will not remove. There are special cleaners for removing latex haze, so go to the www.CTaSC.com website Resources and Links page then to cleaners and sealers page to get links to manufacturers of these products, or contact the grout manufacturer who might offer a latex haze remover.
Updated: January 12th 2010
Cleaning Textured Tile - I was wondering we have cermic tile doen that is not smooth it has dimples that trap dirt and is very hard to clean is there a product that can be applied to make is smooth so it wont look dirty all the time the only way to clean it is on my hands and knees with a scrub brush.
ANSWER - There are trade-offs with textured ceramic tiles relative to the degree and type of texture it has on its surface. On one hand the more textured the more slip resistant it will be. On the other had the more texture the more maintenance there will be. The more texture the tile will get dirty easier, you will have to clean it more frequently and it will take more effort to clean. There are tiles that have texture that are slip resistant but don't require a lot more effort to maintain. The best way to clean textured floors, or any tile floor and its grout, is to use a tile cleaner manufactured for that purpose or a neutral base cleaner and scrub the floor with a brush (make sure it doesn't scratch the tile) on an extended handle so you don't have to get on your hands and knees. Then use a wet and dry vacuum to pick up the dirty water. Rinse if necessary. Once the tile surface and grout are clean to your satisfaction, then you can take a penetrating type sealer for applying over ceramic tile and apply it to their surface. Within 10 minutes, before it tries, buff dry if with a lent free cloth to avoid streaking and a tacky surface. For a list of cleaning product manufacturers and links to their websites go to our website at www.CTaSC.com and look under Resources and Links and then under Cleaner and Sealers. Good luck.
Updated: January 12th 2010
How To Clean a Stain from Granite Stone - Hi, I have a granite tile table. It has stained with alcohol stains. Could you tell me how this is removed, or do you provide a service to fix this. And how much would it cost.
ANSWER - True granite stone is normally very resistant to staining. There are some stones sold as granite that are not true granites and they could be more susceptible to staining. Some overburden stone (layers near the earth surface) will tend to be less stable and more absorbing. There are poultices that can be purchased through stone cleaner manufacturing companies that is applied in a way that can draw the stains out if it is the type of stain that can be removed that way. Some of these less stable granites are treated with resin at their processing plants to stabilize the stone during its shipping and fabrication. So these resins enhance the color of the stone and some resins can be removed or smudged with a solvent like alcohol. You would need to try to get a stone fabricator or renovator to see if they could treat the area and blend it in with the rest of the stone. Some alcohols can etch the surface of a softer polished surface. Sometimes glasses that had alcohol in them can leave rings on some softer polished surfaces. Again true granites are normally very resistant to chemicals. You could experiment by contacting some stone cleaner manufacturers and experiment with their cleaning products. Go to our website at www.CTaSC.com to the Resource and Links page to the cleaner and sealer page for a list of manufacturers with links to their website. Best bet would be to contact a local stone restoration company and asking them to evaluate and experiment to see if they can clean your stone table. Good luck.
Updated: January 6th 2010
Porcelain Tile has Haze - I have porcelain tiles in my bathroom that were laid three years ago.From the start there has been a cloudy film that can be scratched away with a blade, but I can't fine any cleaners that will remove the film. The areas I have clesred with a blade have a great finish but to do this to the whole bathroom would take days of constant scraping. Can you advise what will remove the film?
ANSWER - There is likely a product that will remove the haze if you are able to scrap it off. First you need to experiment to determine what the haze is, so you can determine which type of stripper to use. For clarification, porcelain tile is a type of a ceramic tile and will be referred to as a ceramic tile. If it was a cement film then a diluted solution of vinegar or a prepackaged diluted sulphamic or phosphoric based cleaner would likely work. Do not use any acidic product that is not manufactured for the use with ceramic tile or it could permanently damage the surface of the tile. Acidic based products can etch the surface of glazed ceramic tiles, and polished stone surfaces. It might be a latex haze. There are special products for removing latex based hazes. If you used an epoxy grout then it could be an epoxy haze and then you have to use a special product for removing epoxy haze. Visit our website at www.CTaSC.com and go to the Resource and Links page to the Cleaner Sealer page for a list of cleaner manufacturers with links to their websites to determine which products to buy and test. Always test the cleaner you want to experiment with first in an inconspicuous spot in case it doesn't work and causes damages. Good Luck.
Updated: January 3rd 2010
Cleaning Brown Stains off Exterior Tile - How to most effectively clean white Vitrified ceramic tiles in outdoor area, stained brown grey colour especially closer to grout area?
ANSWER - Normally brownish stains on tile in an exterior area are organic based caused by leaves or other plant materials that have deteriorated. The fact that it is near a grout joint may be because the grout joints are low points of the floor where water collects perpetuating the deterioration of the organic matter. Regularly applying a suitable penetrating sealer over the tile and keeping the surface clean will help prevent this problem in the future. There are commercial poultices that can be purchased through manufacturers of cleaners for ceramic tile and stone that can remove deep stains. There is a list of some these manufacturers on our website at www.CTaSC.com under resources and links page on the cleaners and sealers page. Miracle Sealants has poultices and other cleaners. Do not use anything acidic to clean these stains as they might cause problems. You can experiment by taking a neutral based liquid cleaner and soaking the area for 5 minutes or so. Then use a detergent with a soft bristle brush to scrub it. Then flush it with clean water. Always test the cleaning method you use first to make sure you are getting desirable results. Good luck.
Updated: December 24th 2009
How do you clean grout stains or haze off of tile? - I have a tile where there is a grout haze or stain. How can I remove it? Is this normal to have grout residue on the tile?
ANSWER - There should not be a grout film left on the surface of the tile. If the installer had been careful and cleaned it properly it could have been avoided. If the grout is cement based then a diluted vinegar solution with a scrub brush might clean it up, since acid attacks cement. If there was latex or polymer in the grout then acid may not work work and it may require a latex removal product. There has to be caution in using anything with acid or using a scrub brush because it could damage the tile finish. Test a small spot first and don't proceed if you are not satisfied. In some cases the pigment in the grout can stain a ceramic tile surface or a natural stone surface if it has a degree of porosity; particularly if the grout is a contrasting color from the tile. In these cases a grout release or sealer can be applied to the surface of the tile before grouting and this will act as a bond breaker to keep the grout from sticking to the tile surface. There are a list of manufacturers who make cleaning products for tile and stone on our website at www.CTaSC.com under resources and links section and then under cleaners and sealers section. Good Luck.
Updated: December 16th 2009
How to Clean Grout Haze off Terracotta Tiles - How do you remove grout(with polymer)from terracotta porous tiles?
ANSWER - What you use to remove the grout residue from a porous terracotta tile that was not removed during the installation process as it should depends on what kind of grout was used. A standard cement based grout can normally be wet with a sponge and then apply some vinegar or sulphamic acid (never use muriatic acid) and scrub it off. Afterwards it is important to rinse the floor thoroughly and pick it up with a wet and dry vacuum. If the grout is a polymer or latex modified cement grout it can leave a latex residue that needs a special cleaner like Custom Building Product's TileLab Heavy Duty Cleaner and Stripper or Hydroment's Remove. Visit our website at www.CTaSC.com and go to the Resources and Link page and then to the Installation Product page and the Cleaner and Sealer page to get to the links of manufacturers of these types of products. You have to be very careful with whatever you use on a tile surface because it can cause potential damage. An acidic cleaner will remove cement residue, but it can cause damage to the surface if the acid is too corrosive. Good Luck.
Updated: November 11th 2009
Foot Prints on Saltillo Tiles - Hello, looking for a product to help control dusty foot prints on sealed outdoor saltillo tile, any advice is welcome.
Thank You.
ANSWER - I would have to guess that the reason you are getting dusty foot prints on your Saltillo tiles is because either it doesn't have a sealer on it or the sealer you have on it is a bit tacky. If your Saltillo tiles are not sealed, as evident by putting a quarter size dot of water on it and it absorbs immediately, then go to our website Resources and Link section to sealers and cleaners http://www.ctasc.com/.docs/pg/324 and visit the links to manufacturers of these products to select a combination of products. Saltillo tiles are very absorbing clay body tiles, so you need to use a sealer that is recommended for that type of high absorbing product. Sealing the tile will help make it more stain resistant, it will keep it from getting as dirty as frequently, and it will help make it easier to clean. If you do have a sealer on the Saltillo tile, as evident by putting a quarter size dot of water on it and it doesn't readily absorb, then you may need to strip the older sealer off and apply a new sealer. Good Luck.
Updated: October 3rd 2009
Cleaning Glazed Ceramic Tile - I have a glazed ceramic tile floor in my kitchen. Everyone says you don't need to seal glazed tile, but the dirt sticks in the little cerevises it does have. I spent 6 hours scrubbing the floor and finally got it clean. What can I possibly put on the floor to make it eaiser to clean where the dirt will come right up? Is there a wax or a certain sealer to apply to glazed ceramic tile?
ANSWER - I normally do recommend using a sealer on a glazed tile just to help avoid the maintenance problem you are experiencing. Glazed tiles do not absorb, but if you apply a penetrating sealer to the glaze tile surface and then wipe it off with a lint free cloth within minutes it will act as a bond breaker. If you use too much sealer and don't wipe it off before it dries it can get sticky and cause a bigger cleaning problem. Using a sealer will help reduce the tendency of the dirt to cling to the tile surface, and help make it easier to clean it. Sounds like you have a slate textured finish on your tile. That type of tile will have tendency to collect dirt if you don't clean it properly. If you mop it and let the dirty water dry on the tile then the resultant dirt residue will find its way into those crevices. To clean the tile use a neutral base cleaner manufactured for cleaning tile. Get a brush on an extended broom handle and scrub the floor with the tile cleaner. It is no more effort than mopping. Then get a wet and dry vacuum and pick up the dirty water, so you don't leave a dirt residue on the tile. Go to our website at www.CTaSC.com and under resources and links there is a page with a list of manufacturers of cleaners and sealers with links to their website. Select a tile cleaner to clean your tile, and select a sealer for glazed tiles to seal your tile after the tile and grout is perfectly clean and dry. Good Luck.
Updated: September 3rd 2009
Saltillo Tile How to Remove Spiderweb like stains - we have glossy Mexican saltillo pavers in our kitchen- 15 yrs old - they now have black "spidery" lines all over each tile - assuming from basic scuff marks & scratches from chair legs, etc. they look terrible! how do I get rid of the marks without hurting the glossy finish? I tried Mr. Clean magic eraser & it worked somewhat, but it took off the finish so I stopped.
ANSWER - Chances are the spider web black stains are due to the shiny surface sealer having micro cracks and dirt has collected within it. It is possible that the sealer can get warm and flow, and perhaps lock the stains within the sealer. First try test cleaning a small area with a neutral based cleaner and scrub brush. Be careful not to scratch the sealer. If that doesn't do it then you will likely need to strip the sealer and then reapply the sealer. First check with the company who makes the sealer for their recommendations. If you don't know the brand or type of sealer then go to our website at www.CTaSC.com and go to Resources and Links page and then go to the Cleaner and Sealer page. There is a list of manufacturer's of sealers and cleaners with links to their website. Good Luck.
Updated: August 16th 2009
Porcelain Tile becoming Dull when Cleaned - I have a porcelin tile floor that suddenly is turning dull. Since the last time I washed it, now when I spot clean it the areas I wipe (with just plain water on a towel) are turning very dull. I don't know what happened but now I have a lot of dull patches all over my floor and I am afraid to wipe any more areas. Please help!! any suggestions what happened or how to retore the finish?
ANSWER - There are a lot of questions you need to answer to determine what is causing your tile to turn dull. Is it an unglazed, polished or glazed porcelain tile? Was there any type of sealer or coating applied to the tile after it was installed? What type of products is the surface of the tile being subjected to during its use? What type of cleaner are you using on the tile? Generally speaking some polished and glazed tiles are sensitive to acidic material that can cause etching that will result in a dull finish. Some sealers will give tile a polished look and when subjected to some types of solvents will tend to cause them to become dull in those spots. Best bet is to call a tile restoration company who specializes in cleaning, polishing, and sealing and with their experience determine what you have to do to correct the problems. Otherwise you need to experiment. You can contact some of the cleaner and sealer companies listed on our website www.CTaSC.com in the Resource and Links section to see if they can assist you.
Updated: August 6th 2009
Cleaning Dirty Tile And Grout - I have ceramic tile in my bathroom.I used Bone color grout. My tile is only 4 months old and is very dirty and i cant get it clean. what should i do?
ANSWER - I'm not sure if you are saying that your bone color grout is dirty and you can't get it to clean or if your ceramic tile is dirty and you can't get it clean. Normally tile is fairly maintenance free, but it isn't self cleaning. It does require regular maintenance to keep it looking like new. The more porous a tile or grout the more susceptible it is to staining. The more texture you have on the surface of the tile or grout the more it will tend to pick up dirt and the more difficult it is to clean, but the more slip resistant it will be. Tile and grout sealers help prevent staining and help make it easier to clean dirty tile and grout. Although the sealer has to be applied regularly, which will vary depending on how much wear and tear or climatic conditions it is subjected to. Rule of thumb is if water doesn't bead up (like water on a new car wax job) when sprinkled over their surfaces then it needs to be resealed. Although make sure the tile and grout is perfectly clean or you will seal in the dirt or stains. Tile and grout need to be cleaned with a proper cleaner to make sure you don't damage the tile surface or bleach the grout. Use products manufactured for tile, which you can find on our website www.CTaSC.com under Resources and Links and then listed under Cleaners and Sealers. Use a brush on an extended handle for floors or otherwise for walls and abrade the surfaces to get them clean. Make sure your tile won't be scratched by the brush. Follow cleaner manufacturer's instructions. Change your cleaning water frequently. For floors use a wet and dry vacuum to remove dirty water. Rinse walls. For tough stains use a poultice from the cleaner manufacture. Good Luck!
Updated: April 18th 2009
Soap Scum Staining on Limestone and Slate - I have a bit of a problem. I have a walk in shower that is made from slate and limestone. Slate on the walls and limestone on the floor. Both of these tiles are rough not smooth and they have been finished with an exterior sealant. Over time soap scum has set in and I have tried everything that I can think of to clean this but I am not getting anywhere. Do you have some suggestions?
ANSWER - The more texture you have on a stone finish the more difficult it will be to clean and the more often you need to clean it. Sealers help because they act as bond-breakers and will help keep residuals from attaching to the surface and it helps make it easier to clean it, but you need to re-seal regularly. If you sprinkle water on the dry surface of the stone and the water does not bead up (like water on a car's new wax job), then you need to reapply the sealer. There are a variety of sealers and strippers that can be applied that should remove soap film if you use a brush to abrade it off, but you have to be careful not to scratch the stone surface. To find a suitable cleaner go to our website at www.CTaSC.com and look under Resources and Links to the cleaner and sealer page for a list of manufactures with website links at http://www.ctasc.com/.docs/pg/324.
Updated: April 15th 2009
Tile Edges Stained - I contracted with a company to purchase & install porcelain tile in my kitchen. In the last 6 months, the edges of most tiles have darkened making it appear dirty. On 3/3/09, a man inspected the tile, said it was neither dirty, nor absorbing dirt on the edges, I was advised that since the tile has an uneven edge, the glaze normally gets darker from foot traffic. Is this true?
ANSWER - I assume you have a glazed porcelain ceramic tile. It is true that tile surfaces with a texture or an undulating surface will tend to pick up or trap dirt in its crevices. This textured surface condition can provide more slip resistance on the tile surface, but requires more maintenance to keep it clean. The tile should be able to be cleaned, if it is cleaned properly. The glaze should not be permanently stained. Too often these tiles are cleaned with some type of mop and the mop water is not cleaned frequent enough and the dirty residual water evaporates on the tile contributing to a dirty look. Tiles should be cleaned with a proper brush that has an extended handle so you can scrub it on your feet or you can use a commercial buffing machine with a proper pad for larger areas. Use a neutral based cleaner or a cleaner made for ceramic tile to scrub the floor. There are manufacturers of these cleaning products listed on our website under resources and links at www.CTaSC.com. Immediately after scrubbing the floor use a wet and dry vacuum to pick up the dirty water. Use a link free cloth to dry the tile surface if necessary. Good Luck!
Updated: March 3rd 2009
Do Tile Cleaners Cause Tile to be Slippery? - Do you have any idea of which ceramic tile cleaning products (or cleaning products in general) should NOT be used on tile flooring, mainly due to causing a slippery walking surface?
ANSWER - I do not know of any products that are recommended for cleaning tile that make the tile slippery. If you use products not recommended for cleaning tile, then who knows what you will end up with... As long as you use appropriate cleaning products suitable for use over your type of tile, that you use the cleaning product properly, and you maintain the floor regularly and properly, then the tile should not be any more slippery than its inherit nature predicated by physical properties of its manufactured surface. For information on cleaning products for tile and stone, and for treatment products that can help a slippery surface be more slip resistant go to our website under Resources and Links, under cleaners and sealers to find links to manufacturers of those products. Good Luck,
Updated: February 16th 2009
Peeling Ceramic Tile? - The top layer is peeling from my ceramic tiles. Have you ever heard of this problem?
There are sealer strippers that can be applied to remove any existing sealer so you can reapply correctly. Check in the Cleaners and Sealers Resource section of the website at for names of manufacturers. Good Luck!
If there is something peeling from your ceramic tile, then there must have been a sealer applied to it. The glaze on a glazed ceramic tile will chip off, but not peel off. On unglazed tiles, sealers will peel if there is excessive moisture coming up from under the tile. On glazed tiles the peeling could be that the sealer was applied too heavily and it peeled off the impervious surface or they used the wrong kind of sealer or there was a contaminate on the tile that did not allow the sealer to attach adequately.
Updated: September 23rd 2008
Pencil marks on Slate - I have purchased a home that is 5 years old. It has slate around the fireplace and on the hearth. The previous owners had children and this slate has pencil marks on it. Can you tell me the best way to clean this slate?
Pencil marks can be difficult to get off some stone surfaces. One thing to try that has worked quite well is to get a clean pencil eraser and try erasing it off. Other than that you have to experiment with various stone cleaners in the Resource section of this site) and you can always buff it off. Good Luck!
Updated: September 23rd 2008
Cleaning Granite - I have a large area of polished granite flooring, in 12 x 12" tiles. How do I clean it without streaking? Thank you for your help.
To minimize streaking on your polished granite floor you should first clean the floor and then apply a penetrating sealer for stone such as Miracle's 511 Impregnator or Aqua Mix Sealer's Choice. Be sure to buff it dry right away after applying with a lint free cloth. Use one of the stone maintenance cleaners that Miracle or Aqua Mix offer for the initial cleaning and for on going maintenance. You can find a link to their website from the Resources and links page in Cleaners and Sealers. Good Luck!
Updated: September 23rd 2008
Residue on Stone - I would like to know what I could use to remove grout residue from 18x18 travertine without damaging it. What is a good sealer for stone.
You have to be very careful with whatever you use on a stone polished surface because it can cause the polish surface to etch and remove the polish. An acidic cleaner will remove cement residue, but it can cause damage to the surface. Worst case scenario for trying to remove residue might require grinding the surface of the stone and re-polishing it. For sealing the stone, Custom Building Product's TileLab has several choices depending on whether you want to enhance the color or not or have a sheen or have it matt finished. Miracle Sealants and Aqua Mix have some good stone sealers as well with similar options. There are links to their websites in the Resources and Links section of the CTaSC website. Good Luck!
What you use to remove the grout residue off the stone depends on what kind of grout was used. A standard cement based grout can normally be wet with a sponge and then as it first dries use cheese cloth to dust of the residue. A polymer or latex modified cement grout can leave a latex residue and needs a special cleaner like Custom Building Product's TileLab Heavy Duty Cleaner and Stripper. Epoxy grout residue requires an epoxy or paint stripper, but could cause deterioration to the stone's polished surface.
Updated: September 23rd 2008
Cleaning - What is the best way to clean ceramic tile for the first time?
It is always best to use a neutral based soap or detergent in cleaning ceramic tile. Some ceramic tile can be sensitive to acid. Best to scrub tile and grout joints with a soft bristle brush, or you might scratch, then fully rinse or pick up dirty water with a wet and dry vacuum. I recommend you use a cleaner designed specifically for ceramic tile. Please visit my Resources and links section on our website and go to cleaners and sealers page at to view some of the key manufacturers of these types of products. You can link to their websites for additional information on their products. Good Luck!
Updated: September 23rd 2008
Cleaning Tile - How do you clean soap scum from ceramic tile and grout, and why is there a film on the tile after you clean it?
There are special products made for cleaning ceramic tile. Normally your ceramic tile distributor or dealer will have these products. Using the right cleaners will make sure you can clean the tile thoroughly without damaging it, and it likely will rid the film problem left after cleaning. These same companies also provide sealers that can be applied to a clean ceramic tile or stone floor that will reduce the tendency of the tile picking up dirt and will help make it easier to clean the tile or stone. The major companies who manufacture these cleaning and sealing products for ceramic tile are listed on the resource section of this web page. Go to the resources and links page for Cleaners and Sealers to view three of the major companies. You can go to their respective web sites to learn more about their products and where to find them. I do have a limited list of distributors listed the Ceramic Tile Distributors page who are likely to stock these types of products. Good Luck!
Updated: September 23rd 2008
Cleaning Mexican Tile and Marble - I need to know how to scrub Mexican Marble. Without damaging it. There are fireman boot tracks all throughout the house and the marble is white.
ANSWER - Normally a neutral based detergent cleaner is the best to use with water. Change water frequently. Use a bristle scrub brush with an extended handle and then use a wet and dry vacuum to pick up the dirty water. Some more porous tiles that become stained may need more specific cleaning of those spots. The tiles should be sealed with a penetrating sealer after the tiles have been cleaned and are dry. The sealer should be buffed dry with a lint free cloth after the sealer has been applied. Visit our website at www.CTaSC.com and go to our Resources and Links section and visit the page for cleaners to find links to manufacturers of those products who can provide you more specific information. Good Luck!
Updated: March 8th 2008
How to remove Stains - we have laid about 7500 sq ft of porcelain tile from china. the tiles are porous and are badly stained. how do we clean them and seal them? they must look as per their original finish without a polyurethane look. please help!!!!
ANSWER - To remove stains in tile depends on the type of tile and the type of material that caused the stain. You said that it was a porcelain tile, but porcelain tile should technically be impervious at 0.5% absorption. Although, porcelain tile can have microscopic voids that certain materials can get trapped into the pores of the tile and become difficult to remove. There are special poultices that can be used to remove certain stains. Best bet is to contact a company that manufacturer's cleaners and sealers to get their recommendations of products. You will have to do some trial-by-error testing to determine what will work. Go to our website www.CTaSC.com under resources and links and to the section on cleaners and sealers http://www.ctasc.com/Resources_and_Links/Cleaners_and_Sealers/. Good Luck!
Updated: October 23rd 2007
Cleaning Old Terra Cotta Tiles - We have two largeg areas in our home tiled with what appears to be terra cotta tiles. The looked great when we bought our home 5 yrs ago. We clean them on a regular basis but it always appeared to soak the water up and now they are pitted and stained. I called a floor cleaning company who walked in and said "can't help" and ran out of our home. The tiles look like the belong outside and just look dirty all the yome. I would like to know what to do with them. I had wanted to seal them but like I wrote the man said he couldn't help. Can they be painted? Cleaned? Sealed? Help!
ANSWER - Your Terra Cotta tiles can be improved with a thorough cleaning and sealing. It won’t repair the pitting, but pitting just adds to the antique look. Some stains can be removed and some may not be removed. If you don’t want to do the work yourself then find another company who is willing. There are special cleaning products for removing deep stains and there are sealers and enhancers that will improve the look of the floor and make it easier to maintain with less maintenance. On our website under Resources and Links under Cleaners, Sealers and Treatments there is a list of manufacturers who provide sealers and enhancers at http://www.ctasc.com/Resources_and_Links/Cleaners_and_Sealers/. They probably can also recommend companies to perform the work. Good Luck!
Updated: August 19th 2007
Dull Tile from Cleaning - I would like to know if I can save the ceramic tiles that I have used Zap cleaner on. They are now dull and I would like to give them that shiny appearance again. Thank you.
I am not familiar with Zap Cleaner, but I did find a website for it that does not provide any product data on it. They just make claims but do not provide a MSDS and any other information or limitations. I don't know what type of ceramic tile you have. If you have an unglazed tile with a sealer on it that makes it shine then the cleaner may have removed it or dulled it to some degree and should be able to be restored. Most glazed tiles are resistant to many non-corrosive chemicals, but they are sensitive to strong acids. Some glaze tiles are even sensitive to alcohol or mild acids. These products can etch the surface of the tile so you will not be able to restore it. I suggest you go to our website under Resources and Links, and then to Cleaners, Sealers and Treatments . Contact the companies that provide cleaners to see if they can help you determine what type of tile you have and what you might be able to do to restore the shiny look. Good Luck!
Updated: February 21st 2006
