Tiles can be some of the prettiest additions to your home. They can also be some of the hardest to keep clean. Below are 8 tips to help you keep your tiles looking like they were just installed.

1. Regularly maintaining and cleaning tiles. Kitchen tiles should be cleaned daily to prevent food and dirt from building up in the grout. Shower tiles should be cleaned on a weekly or bi-weekly basis. Regular cleaning will prevent gunk build-up and can actually save you some time.

2. Use vinegar diluted with water on tile grout at least weekly on tile floors. Allow the vinegar solution to sit on the floor for 10 minutes. This eats up some of the grime. Then wipe with water and dry off to prevent mildew.

3. Use a toothbrush to reach small crevices, especially around fixtures such as sink and shower fixture. Wet first and scrub after a few minutes. Rinse and dry. If needed, you can also put a little soap or baking soda on the end of the toothbrush to get out the dirt in small areas.

4. Avoid harsh chemicals. Rather than being good for your tile, they actually eat up the grout and destroy the tile over time.

5. Keep mats or rugs in heavily traffic areas like in front of the sink and in the doorway. These mats will help keep dirt and grime from getting ground into the tile and grout. Clean the mats regularly.

6. Use bleach to clean and brighten tiles and grout (only for white grout & tiles otherwise see tip #8). Avoid direct contact with skin. Allow bleach to sit on tile for 10 minutes, wipe with water and then dry.

7. Use a grout sealer to make the tiles easier to clean and to prevent grime from getting stuck in the grout.

8. Use a few drops of lemon juice to help remove grout stains. Let it sit for 10 to 15 minutes. Wipe dry. Lemon juice also acts as a mild disinfectant and leaves your house smelling fresh and inviting.

Additional tips: Pour 1/4 to a 1/2 cup of vinegar or bleach down shower or sink drains when cleaning. This will allow you to prevent hair and food build up and help you keep your shower drain and sinks flowing freely.

Remember, cleaning can be fun, but even better is having a sparkling clean house!

S. Arnold worked as a professional janitor. His expertise is bathrooms, especially tile and how to clean grout.

Learn more about cleaning grout.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Spencer_Arnold

	Enter your search terms Submit search form
	Web www.creativehomemaking.com