How Can I Reglaze My Bathroom Ceramic Tile Floor?

Your bathroom floors are subjected to spills, standing water and countless other abuses on a daily basis. Over time, the ceramic tile will begin to look worn. The glaze on the ceramic tile may crack, causing the whole space to look old and run-down. Replacing the tile sounds like a lovely idea. Maybe you don’t have the funds to do a major remodel project, or maybe you just don’t want the hassle. Reglazing your bathroom floors will make them over at a fraction of the cost and effort.

Things You'll Need

• Trisodium phosphate
• Calcium carbonate
• Putty knife
• Rubber gloves
• Mask
• Scrubbing sponge
• Oxygen bleach
• Small artist’s brush
• Appliance paint
• Clear sealer
• Paintbrush

Instructions

1. Clean all residue from the floors by mixing a paste. Combine one part trisodium phosphate (TSP) with two parts powdered calcium carbonate. Add small amounts of water until you have formed a paste.

2. Spread the paste onto the floors, about ½ inch thick. Let the paste penetrate any stuck-on grout or other ground-in residue for 20 minutes. Remove the paste and all residue with a scrubbing sponge. Dip the sponge in water and scrub the tiles in a circular motion.

3. Rinse the tile with warm water to completely remove the paste. Allow the tiles to dry.

4. Scrub the grout to remove all stains. Oxygen bleach will transform grout. Mix the bleach with warm water. Pour the solution onto the tiles and allow it to sit for at least 30 minutes. Scrub with a scrub brush and rinse the floors with clean water.

5. Fill in chips in the tile. Use appliance touch-up paint to gently fill in the chips, using a small artist’s brush. Allow the paint to dry.

6. Paint a clear sealer over the tiles to refresh the glaze and fill in small fractures in the surface, using a paintbrush. Avoid painting the finish on the grout.

References

• Better Homes and Gardens: Restoring Ceramic Tile
• The Washington Post: The Secret to Cleaning Grout in Tile Floors