How to Clean Kitchen Tiles & Reseal Them
Most kitchens are high-traffic areas in a home, and as such attract a large amount of dirt, grime and spills which require cleaning on a regular basis. A tiled surface in the kitchen aids in cleaning, but only so long as the surface remains properly sealed against normal wear and tear. As the seal begins to wear away, cleaning the tiled surface becomes more difficult, removing the greatest advantage of a tile installation. This problem can be corrected by resealing the surface of the tiles, returning them to an easily cleaned state, and saving you both time and labor. Natural stone tiles such as slate, granite and marble are those most often requiring regular resealing (every 12 to 18 months), due to the porous nature of the stone, which leaves them vulnerable to staining. Unglazed clay tiles will require regular resealing as well. While ceramic and porcelain tiles do not require sealing, the grout placed between the tiles will require regular resealing every two years. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Lint-free cloth
- Sponge
- Household cleanser
- Mop
- Bucket
- Scrub brush
- White cleansing powder
- Toothbrush
- Household ammonia
- Commercial tile cleanser
- Tile sealant
- Paint roller
Instructions
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Clean tiled walls using a damp lint-free cloth to remove any dust and loose dirt. Go over the surface a second time using a damp sponge dipped in a mixture of household cleanser and water. With the sponge, rub the tiles firmly until the dirt has been removed and then rinse the surface with clean water and allow it to dry.
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Clean tiled floors using a damp mop to remove dust or loose dirt. To remove dried-on dirt or to remove stains on the floor tiles, scrub the surface of the floor with a scrub brush and white cleansing powder, scrubbing the tiles in a circular motion. Rinse the tiles thoroughly to remove the powder cleaner residue and dirt from the floor, with a thick damp cloth.
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3
Use a toothbrush and household cleanser to clean the grout between the tiles on the floor, walls and counters. The porous nature of the grout will make it difficult to clean it thoroughly without a good deal of scrubbing. If stains persist, use a piece of sandpaper to lightly go over the grout surface, removing a thin layer of stained grout.
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Use household ammonia on badly stained tiles to try and remove the stains. Rinse the ammonia away using clean water. If the stain persists, use a commercial tile cleanser.
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Seal the cleaned surface to protect the tiles from further staining. Choose a tile sealant made specifically for your tile type. Apply a layer of sealant to the tile surface using a paint roller. Allow the coat of sealant to dry for two hours, and then apply a second coat of sealant to the tiles. Allow the second layer to dry for 24 hours before using the sealed surface.
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Tips & Warnings
Test your tile for sealing needs by dropping a small amount of water onto the tile. If the surface of the tile darkens, the surface is absorbent and will require a sealant.
Do not mix anything with bleach into cleansers containing ammonia. Doing so may cause chlorine gas emission, which is hazardous to your health.
When working with ammonia products, do so only in a well-ventilated area.
