Cleaning Ceramic Tile Floors

I have been looking forward to writing this article. Over the years, I’ve received tons of questions on how best to clean ceramic tile floors. Even my aunt and I have had our differences on the best way to clean tile floors. She says vinegar and water and I say soap and water or peroxide cleaner. Who’s right?

Glazed Ceramic & Unglazed Ceramic Tile

Ceramic tiles come to two basic constructions; glazed and unglazed. A glazed tile is when the body of ceramic tile (called bisque) is coated with a glaze. The glaze coating is comprised of liquid colored glass and is fused to the surface of the bisque under very high temperatures. The liquid glass coating is what creates the texture, design and color of a glazed tile and protects the body of the tile from (bisque) staining.

Unglazed tiles have no glazing on the surface and are the real culprits for attracting dirt. The color of the bisque goes all the way through the tile. Unglazed tile is an excellent choice for most heavily trafficked areas because wear is not visible.

The beauty, elegance and durability of ceramic tile; whether glazed or unglazed, has made it a favorite flooring choice. It makes a stunning addition to any home. It also offers a seemingly endless variety of style options with many textures, patterns and sizes to choose from. Best of all, ceramic tile is super easy to clean and maintain.

Three easy steps in getting the floors looking their best are:

Step One:

It is important to sweep or vacuum regularly to remove loose dirt. Be sure that the vacuum does not have the beater bar attachment on. A beater bar is meant for carpets only and will damage the ceramic floor. Using a vacuum and its attachments are perfect for collecting dirt along edges/corners and in between tiles.

Step Two:

Mop floors. For allergy sufferers and people looking for sustainable methods of cleaning floors you will be happy to hear that the best way to clean ceramic tile is with warm soapy water. Sometimes water alone will do the trick. Liquid dish soap is a mild household detergent and is a non-toxic cleaning product. My favorite is that it’s inexpensive! Another inexpensive household all-purpose cleaner is a combination of vinegar and water. Making sure to change the water often. Too much soap or dirty water will make floors dull or sticky.

Cleaning stains out of grout can test your patience. A simple, inexpensive way to clean grout is with a mixture of peroxide and water. CAUTION: NEVER USE peroxide on colored grout. Peroxide may discolor them like bleach would. Hydrogen peroxide is considered a “safe” bleach. Colored grout can be cleaned with; get this, shaving cream. To avoid any problems, first test in a hidden area, really well hidden.

What type of mop to use? I am partial to microfiber mops. Microfiber picks up and traps dust, dirt, pet hair and grease inside the grooves of the fiber. It is environmentally friendly. It also uses a minimum amount of water on the floor. Microfiber mop pads can also be used on all floor surfaces and are machine washable; helps cut costs down.


Step Three:

After cleaning, rinse floor with clean warm water and wipe dry. Enjoy the beautiful shine.

Helpful tidbits:

- Use walk-off mats to minimize and contain dirt being tracked in at entryways. By using walk-off mats the amount of dirt being tracked in is reduced. Walk-off mats also reduces the wear to the finished surface. Just don’t forget to shake the mats often.
- Do not use steel wool, scouring pads/powders or other abrasives. These products can scratch the finish of the tile.
- Do not use bleach or ammonia based cleaners. These products can discolor the grout if used on a regular bases.
- Do not clean glazed tile with an oil-based cleaner.

In the end, it just so happens, that neither my aunt or myself were wrong in our preferred choice of cleaning ceramic tile. I just hope she doesn’t read that. I’d hate for her to gloat!

If you have any comments or suggestions on cleaning ceramic tile, I would love to hear from you. Send me an email at ldiaz@sweepingdimensions.com.

Moving... Making the Best of It!

Moving season 2010 is coming up fast. Most people move between Memorial Day and Labor Day and it is arguably one of life’s most stressful experiences. It’s a time when we’re buying packing supplies, canceling and setting up utilities such as phone, cable, electricity, and sending out change of address postcards. You know… the one’s with the cute little dog in the picture. We have to manage on packing breakables without breaking anything and staying sane especially when we’re looking for something that’s been packed already.

I have had the unfortunate timing of moving four times in the same year many years ago. I haven’t moved since. This year I want to share a few helpful hints on keeping your move …well moving.

1. Kids are still in school. Use this time to organize yourself.

2. Make a list. Sounds corny but in the end you’ll appreciate having written things down.

3. Call and set up a time with a moving company. This could mean friends and family. Pizza and beer anyone? Food & drinks do wonders to bribe extra sets of hands.

4. Start packing! A budget friendly idea: don’t buy brand new boxes. Head to your local grocery store or business and ask for any boxes they would like to recycle. Many companies receive daily shipments and are often happy to recycle. You’re going to need LOTS of boxes!

5. Do Not! I must repeat, Do Not! Clean wood furniture with an oil based cleaner right before the move. Furniture becomes slippery and if you’re moving it chances are it may fall.

6. Donate to charity. Some things are best given away and you end up feeling better about yourself. We’ve all heard the saying “One man’s trash is another man’s treasure.” Or woman’s!!

7. If you live within the Chicagoland area, call us to do your move-in, move-out cleaning. We can clean your home fast and efficiently without cutting corners or wasting time. There’s nothing like a completely clean home; especially, when you didn’t do the cleaning.

8. Breath in. Breath out. It will be over soon.

If you must clean your home before or after moving, put together a kit of basic cleaning supplies and microfiber towels. A few things you’re sure to use is an all-purpose cleaner, a degreaser, dishwashing soap, & buckets. Set aside until movers (friend’s & family) have emptied your home (move-out). Do not pack away your vacuum cleaner. You’re going to need it after all is gone. A great time saver: clean inside of appliances and cabinets ahead of time. Some of the most time consuming areas to clean is inside of an oven that hasn’t been cleaned, in say a year, and inside of kitchen and bathroom cabinets.

One request, make it a goal to be a little more environmentally conscious. Recycle when possible. Dispose properly.

I wish you the best of luck throughout your move. If you’re finding yourself in a jam, give us a call. We can help!

Sterling Silver, Oh My!!

Mother’s Day is fast approaching and I’m a little stressed; to say the least. Like no other Mother’s Day, this year brunch will be (you guessed it) at my house. Not only am I hosting brunch this year, I have an amazing group of women who will be there. Mom, obviously, but then there is my grandmother, my godmother, my aunt and my cousin. All of whom are all excited to see each other and talk as if young girls.

As a token of my endearing affection to these women who have raised me and given me guidance (with the exception of my cousin) throughout my lifetime, I am preparing an amazing brunch. One in which they will remember for a long time. Cross your fingers I don’t burn the muffins or forget to buy coffee. My tablescape and menu are planned. What’s the worry? Two words, sterling silver! I’m bringing out the platters and flatware in sterling silver. If any of you own sterling you already know what I’m talking about.

Work! It takes work to handle and clean. So I decided to share with you tips on how to clean sterling silver for special occasions like Mother’s Day just in case you wanted to impress. Many who own sterling silver know that to clean is to clean by hand. No dishwasher! Hollow handles on flatware may loosen with exposure to heat and detergent and any spill of dry dishwasher detergent especially on flatware can cause dark spots.

Like many of us, silver is no exception, it has enemies. One such enemy is rubber. Rubber corrodes silver. Please don’t use those handy rubber gloves to clean sterling silver. Use plastic or cotton gloves when cleaning and or polishing. If wondering what other enemies has silver sweating; salt, olives, salad dressing, eggs, vinegar and any type of fruit juice. A good idea is to serve these foods/condiments in china or glass containers. Your investment or family heirloom would appreciate it.

My favorite method of cleaning sterling flatware (albeit the lazy way) is in warm sudsy water being careful to use a soft cloth. I rinse well and always dry immediately. I never soak any of the flatware. If the silver is tarnished and it will always be, I’ll clean off the tarnish with toothpaste or a paste of baking soda and water. I’ll use the rub, rinse and dry method. It just takes longer and a little or a lot of patience depending if I’m doing this the day of the event.

I’ve got to admit one thing, when cleaned and polished, sterling silver looks amazing! Its beauty increases with use causing a patina or soft sheen. You will most certainly impress any guest dining in your home.

Good luck. Happy Mother’s Day!