14 January 2022
Installing ceramic tiles is one of the best ways of decorating your walls and floors. With the right combination of ceramic tiles, you can create great designs that can be the focal point of your floor or walls. Whether it’s your living spaces, the kitchen or the bathroom, ceramic tiles can really spruce up your interior décor and add a touch of classic opulence. Ceramic tiles have been in use for centuries to decorate residential spaces, public places or commercial areas because of their beauty and excellent durability. They are available in a diverse range of surface finish, sizes, types and colours which mean you have endless options to indulge the designer in you.
Ceramic tiles are crafted from natural materials like sand, clay and other substances. A mixture is prepared, which is then moulded and shaped into individual designs and processed under high pressure. The flat, thin slabs are then fired in a kiln at a very high temperature. The final product may or may not have a glazed effect on the surface. The term ‘ceramic’ includes both porcelain tiles and ceramic tiles. They are made of the same materials. However, porcelain tiles have a better finish and being fired at a much higher temperature, these are more durable and stronger than regular ceramic tiles.
Being extremely resilient, ceramic tiles last a lifetime. They are an excellent cost-effective way of decorating your walls and floors within your budget. Moreover, being termite-proof, ceramic tiles are very versatile in application and can be installed in almost any living spaces. They are also resistant to the effects of common household chemicals and easy on maintenance. Ceramic tiles are hygienic too and resistant to most allergens. Being 100% natural, ceramic tiles can be recycled.
Maintaining your Ceramic Tiles
Given the multiple benefits of ceramic tiles and their excellent aesthetic appeal, it is but natural that they are a great option to make your interiors look more elegant and stylish.
However, one thing can really mar the beauty of your ceramic tiles and that is the accumulation of dirt on the grout lines. During installation, grouting is done at a slightly lower level than the adjacent tiles. This means that there is enough space for dirt, grease and grime to accumulate over the surface of the grout. The accumulated dirt on the grout not only makes your floors look dirty but it also makes the environment unhygienic. Moreover, grout is porous in nature and all the grime and dirt can seep through and damage your beautiful tiles over the years. And once the dirt and grime really settle in, they can be difficult to remove no matter how much your scrub or brush.
There are different ways you can clean grout. It is best to clean the grout before it becomes really grimy. So be sure to plan a regular cleaning schedule.
Baking soda and vinegar
The acidic properties of vinegar make it an excellent agent for removing grease and grime that accumulate on the grout lines. The mixture acts as an excellent cleaning agent to remove dirt from the grout lines. Start by sprinkling baking soda liberally along the grout lines. Use a brush to ensure that most of the baking soda covers the dirt and grime thoroughly. Then use a sprinkler bottle to sprinkle cleaning vinegar over the baking soda while taking special care to dampen the powder along the entire grout line. The baking soda will start to fizz and bubble immediately. Wait until all the bubbles have settled down completely. Then use a brush to scrub out all that grime and grease, which will come off easily.
Create a paste
If the dirt and grime have settled down deep enough and is difficult to remove using a brush, consider making a thick paste of baking soda instead of just sprinkling the powder. Add some water to the required quantity of baking soda to make a really thick paste. Use a brush to rub in the paste deep into the grout lines. Then sprinkle the vinegar as mentioned above and allow the baking soda paste to fizz and bubble for a few minutes. Then scrub and mop as usual. Your grout lines will be clear and shining once again.
Oxygen bleaching powder
If you have really stubborn stains on your grout lines that cannot be removed with baking soda and vinegar mixture, you can try out oxygen bleaching powder. Begin by mopping the floor to remove any dirt and dust on the surface of the tiles. Then mix the oxygen bleaching powder with water and pour the mixture really well along the grout lines. This is an excellent cleaning agent that does not affect the surface of the tiles. So you can leave the solution along the grout lines for as long as you want (at least a few hours). Oxygen bleach is a very powerful cleaning agent and the longer you allow it to soak, the better it will clean the grout lines. Just mop the floor as usual after a few hours to get spotlessly clean grout.
Hydrogen peroxide
A mixture of hydrogen peroxide, baking soda and dish soap is quite effective too. Mix all the ingredients and apply to the grout lines thoroughly. Leave for half an hour, scrub with a brush and rinse thoroughly to get sparklingly clean grout lines.
Grout cleaner
There are several brands of grout cleaners available in the market that are specially prepared to remove even the toughest of stains without affecting the tiles. When looking for options, buy a grout cleaner with anti-fungal properties. These cleaners not only remove stains and grime from the grout lines but discourage the growth of mould. Anti-fungal grout cleaners are especially effective to use for bathroom wall and floor tiles where the moist; humid conditions encourage the growth of fungus.
