Tile is a good choice for flooring due to its solid surface. It has a slight polish to it, which makes it mostly nonstick. Most of the time, you’ll only need to worry about sweeping once a week to keep it clean, which is a huge benefit for most people.
However, many people have the preconceived notion that tile floors are indestructible. That is not the case at all. Tile can be somewhat fragile, and you should treat it well, just as you would your new carpet. Here are some of the dos and don’ts of tile floor maintenance to help you keep your floors just as they were the day they were installed.
The Dos
Tile doesn’t harbor as much bacteria and germs as other flooring options do. However, as with any hard flooring, you’ll still want to keep up a regimen of sweeping and mopping. Sweep at least once a week. You can then choose to mop with an antibacterial floor cleaner weekly or twice a week to keep germs to a minimum. This will ensure a sanitized floor all the time.
Another thing you can do to cut down on cleaning is investing in high-quality floor mats. These will trap most of the dirt and dander so that you can vacuum these hot spots, making it that much easier to keep your floors tidy at all times.
The Don’ts
When you’re mopping, you don’t want the water to be boiling. When you amp up the temperature of your water, you’ll also heat the soap in the floor cleaner, which can strip the color of the tile and ruin the look.
Bleach is also tile’s number one enemy. The chemical compounds in bleach will not only strip your tile but also eat away at the material itself, leaving it porous and damaged. You’ll then need to call a professional to remove and replace the damaged tile.
Everything in Between
You could always get creative with your tile and make it indestructible if it isn’t living up to your standards. Maybe it’s the grain and texture you have a problem with. Maybe you’re tired of having to replace cracked tile and split grout. Whatever the case, you could always refinish the tile with something more durable to make it shine, such as epoxy or a tile finish. This will enhance the look and feel of the flooring. It will also give the tile added strength that will make it virtually indestructible. You might need to find the right contractor to do this part of the project; we at HelloProject might have some ideas in mind for you.
For more intense dilemmas such as cracks and broken pieces, tile flooring can be a little more particular with maintenance and cleaning. Therefore, it’s important to know the dos and don’ts of tile floor maintenance before and after you choose to make it yours. Overall, however, tile is easy to maintain and keep clean. This is why many people make it their choice for flooring.
