Ordinary Use, Regular Cleaning Procedures and Materials

Glazed Tile: 

Walls: Wipe with a clean, damp cloth or sponge. For soil that clings, use either a window based cleaning agent or an all purpose spray liquid cleaner for the stubborn spots.

Floors: Mop on a mild solution of soap-less detergent in water. Rinse thoroughly.

Unglazed Tile (Ceramic Mosaic, Porcelain, Quarry, Pavers):

Walls: Wipe with a clean, damp cloth or sponge. Use a diluted solution of soap-less detergent for clinging dirt.

Floors:  Mop on a mild solution solution of soap-less detergent in water. Rinse thoroughly. 

Please remember that ceramic tile does not require sealants, waxes or other recurrent special treatments. Tile is among the easiest of surfaces to keep clean and most dirt will not adhere to ceramic tile. In the majority of cases a mild detergent in water is adequate for removal of soil that clings. Do not use oil-based household cleaners. Do not use ammonia as it will discolor the grout. A neutral all-purpose cleaner such as Simple Green is excellent!

Heavy Duty Use or for Thorough Cleaning of Accumulated Dirt

Glazed Tile:

Walls: First, try concentrated all-purpose liquid cleaner. If that doesn't work then try a paste of scouring powder applied with a sponge or scouring pad. Make sure to use a fiber scouring pad and not steel wool. Rub in gently to avoid scratching the glaze. Rinse and dry with a soft cloth.

Floors: First, try a concentrated solution of soap-less detergent, scrubbing vigorously with a brush. Rinse and dry with a soft cloth or sponge mop. If that doesn't work then a commercial tile cleaner may be needed for truly stubborn dirt in heavily trafficked areas.

Unglazed Tile (Ceramic Mosaic, Porcelain, Quarry, Pavers):

Walls: Use a household scouring powder on a wet sponge or an all-purpose liquid cleaner on a household cleaning pad. Rinse and dry with a soft cloth. 

Floors: Use a concentrated all-purpose cleaner or a paste of scouring powder mixed with water either brushed or mopped onto the floor. Allow to stand for five minutes then vigorously scrub with a scrubbing brush. Rinse and dry with a soft cloth.

Wet Areas (Bathrooms, Tub and Shower Enclosures, Steam Rooms, Etc.)

Glazed Tile:

Walls: Use an all-purpose cleaner on a soft cloth or sponge. Wet walls down and allow to stand for five minutes before rinsing thoroughly. To remove mold and mildew stains, use a mildew stain remover while following the labels directions. Rinse thoroughly.

Floors: Use a soft cloth or sponge with an all-purpose cleaner or a medium strength solution of soap-less detergent. To remove mold and mildew stains, use a mildew stain remover while following the labels directions. Rinse well. To disinfect surfaces, use a solution of 3/4 cups of chlorine bleach per gallon of water. Let stand five minutes and rinse thoroughly.

Unglazed Tile (Ceramic Mosaics, Porcelain, Quarry, Pavers):

Walls: Wet walls down using a sponge and a strong solution of all-purpose cleaner. Allow to stand for five minutes before rinsing thoroughly. To remove mold and mildew stains, use a mildew stain remover while following the labels directions. Rinse thoroughly. 

If hard water stains form, a 50-50 mixture of white vinegar and water may be useful to remove the deposit. However, this mixture may cause a color shift and surface cracking in certain kinds of glazed tile. Experiment first on a small area of the affected surface. The mixture will not harm most glazes nor the surfaces of unglazed tile if rinse promptly. Commercial tile cleaners are also available to remove hard water deposits. 

Vanity Tops: Vanity tops may need to have a penetrating sealer applied. A good quality marble wax or non-yellowing automobile paste wax can be applied to minimize water spotting.

Floors: Dust mop interior floors frequently using a clean non-treated dry dust mop. Sand, dirt and grit do the most damage to natural stone surfaces due to their abrasiveness. Mats or area rugs inside and outside an entrance will help to minimize the sand, dirt and grit that will scratch the floor. Be sure that the underside of the mat or rug is a non-slip surface. Normally it will take a person about eight steps on a floor surface to remove sand or dirt from the bottom of their shoes. Do not use vacuum cleaners that are worn. The metal, plastic attachments o the wheels may scratch the surface. 

Clean stone surfaces with a few drops of a neutral cleaner, stone soap or a mild liquid dishwashing detergent and warm water. Use a clean rag mop on floors and a soft cloth for other surfaces for best results. Too much cleaner or soap may leave a film and cause streaks. Do not use products that contain lemon, vinegar or other acids on marble. Rinse the surface thoroughly after washing with the soap solution and dry with a soft cloth. Change the rinse water frequently. Do not use scouring powders or creams as these products contain abrasives that may scratch the surface. 

In bathrooms or other wet areas, soap scum can be minimized by using a squeegee after each use. To remove soap scum,  use a non-acidic soap scum remover or a solution of ammonia and water (1/2 cup ammonia to a gallon of water). Frequent or over use of an ammonia solution may eventually dull the surface of the stone.

Vanity Tops: Vanity tops may need to have a penetrating sealer applied. Check with your installer for recommendations.

Floors: Dust mop interior floors frequently using a clean non-treated dry dust mop. Sand, dirt and grit do the most damage to natural stone surfaces due to their abrasiveness. Mats or area rugs inside and outside an entrance will help to minimize the sand, dirt and grit that will scratch the floor. Be sure that the underside of the mat or rug is a non-slip surface. Normally it will take a person about eight steps on a floor surface to remove sand or dirt from the bottom of their shoes. Do not use vacuum cleaners that are worn. The metal, plastic attachments o the wheels may scratch the surface

Clean stone surfaces with a few drops of a neutral cleaner, stone soap or a mild liquid dishwashing detergent and warm water. Use a clean rag mop on floors and a soft cloth for other surfaces for best results. Too much cleaner or soap may leave a film and cause streaks. Do not use products that contain lemon, vinegar or other acids on limestone. Rinse the surface thoroughly after washing with the soap solution and dry with a soft cloth. Change the rinse water frequently. Do not use scouring powders or creams as these products contain abrasives that may scratch the surface.

In bathrooms or other wet areas, soap scum can be minimized by using a squeegee after each use. To remove soap scum,  use a non-acidic soap scum remover or a solution of ammonia and water (1/2 cup ammonia to a gallon of water). Frequent or over use of an ammonia solution may eventually dull the surface of the stone.

A good grade of penetrating sealer is recommended. Ask your installer for specific brands.

Unglazed Tile (Ceramic Mosaic, Porcelain, Quarry, Pavers):

Walls: Use a household scouring powder on a wet sponge or an all-purpose liquid cleaner on a household cleaning pad. Always use a new fine-textured pad to avoid scratching. Rinse and wipe dry.

Floors: Use a concentrated all-purpose cleaner or a paste of scouring powder mixed with water either brushed or mopped onto the floor. Allow to stand for five minutes then vigorously scrub with a scrubbing brush. Rinse and dry with a soft cloth.

Unglazed Tile (Ceramic Mosaic, Porcelain, Quarry, Pavers):

Walls: Use a household scouring powder on a wet sponge or an all-purpose liquid cleaner on a household cleaning pad. Always use a new fine-textured pad to avoid scratching. Rinse and wipe dry

Floors: Use a concentrated all-purpose cleaner or a paste of scouring powder mixed with water either brushed or mopped onto the floor. Allow to stand for five minutes then vigorously scrub with a scrubbing brush. Rinse and dry with a soft cloth.

Vanity Tops: Vanity tops may need to have a penetrating sealer applied. Check with your installer for recommendations. A good quality marble wax or non-yellowing automobile paste wax can be applied to minimize water spotting.

Floors: Dust mop interior floors frequently using a clean non-treated dry dust mop. Sand, dirt and grit do the most damage to natural stone surfaces due to their abrasiveness. Mats or area rugs inside and outside an entrance will help to minimize the sand, dirt and grit that will scratch the floor. Be sure that the underside of the mat or rug is a non-slip surface. Normally it will take a person about eight steps on a floor surface to remove sand or dirt from the bottom of their shoes. Do not use vacuum cleaners that are worn. The metal, plastic attachments o the wheels may scratch the surface

Clean stone surfaces with a few drops of a neutral cleaner, stone soap or a mild liquid dishwashing detergent and warm water. Use a clean rag mop on floors and a soft cloth for other surfaces for best results. Too much cleaner or soap may leave a film and cause streaks. Do not use products that contain lemon, vinegar or other acids on limestone. Rinse the surface thoroughly after washing with the soap solution and dry with a soft cloth. Change the rinse water frequently. Do not use scouring powders or creams as these products contain abrasives that may scratch the surface.

In bathrooms or other wet areas, soap scum can be minimized by using a squeegee after each use. To remove soap scum,  use a non-acidic soap scum remover or a solution of ammonia and water (1/2 cup ammonia to a gallon of water). Frequent or over use of an ammonia solution may eventually dull the surface of the stone.