People commonly underestimate the importance of tile and grout maintenance. Whether its porcelain, ceramic or one of the numerous natural stones available, a proper maintenance plan should be set in place for a number of reasons.
Because of its durability, tile is commonly used as flooring and wall covering; yet not many people know how to protect and maintain these pricy surfaces. They may seem indestructible, but daily wear and tear can do irreversible damage costing home and business owners a bundle in the long run. So why are these seemingly immortal surfaces so vulnerable to something as simple as a coffee spill or cooking oils?
These materials are porous, meaning there is space for outside contaminants to absorb and stay permanently. If neglected, the spaces in the tile and grout will attract grease, dirt and mildew; which can cause staining, joint cracking and damage to the subfloor. Repairing this sort of damage is costly and time consuming. All of these hassles can be avoided by utilizing several key procedures that will save you a lot of money and strain in the end.
Before worrying about maintaining your tile and grout, you should focus concern on how to protect it. The first step is to apply a sealer to a floor that is properly cleaned. Doing so creates a barrier that makes the tile and grout resistant to staining. Sealers also allow floors to stay cleaner longer. It is recommended to seal your floors every one to two years. A properly sealed floor is easier to maintain; however, the following cleaning tips can be applied to both sealed and non-sealed floors.
BEWARE: next paragraph sounds like a warning label.
Daily cleaning should be done with a neutral cleaner (dish soap & water), avoid oil based detergents. Heavier soils and grease can be tackled by household degreasers. Hard water stains and soap scum should be approached with acid-based cleaners. All cleaners should be thoroughly rinsed with water after use, do not allow them to dry on. Cleaning agents tend to leave an unsightly film behind, which creates more of a mess than not mopping at all. Stay away from scouring pads containing metal because they have a tendency to leave rust marks and can also scratch softer stone. AVOID using bleach, ammonia or other acids on a regular basis, they have been known to alter colors and deteriorate grout.
A well maintained floor will not only enhance the appearance of your home or business, it will also save you money in the long run. It will reduce the likelihood of a slip and fall injury and can improve air quality. So when the world proves too demanding for you to make time to maintain your floors, or you would rather not deal with the strain, hire a professional company to go through the process for you. It might save you from replacing your floor in the future. 
Justin Goodson • Goody’s
