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save this article printable version email to a friend Ceramic Care Maintenance Proper maintenance is the key to a trouble-free ceramic tile floor. Damp mop weekly Wipe down your ceramic floor with a damp mop at least once a week (or more often for heavy traffic areas) with R2X Hard Surfaces Flooring Cleaner from Shaw's line of Floor Covering Care Products. If R2X Hard Surfaces Flooring Cleaner is not available, a mixture of 1 cup of white vinegar to 2 gallons of clean tap water can be used. Never use a detergent or soap, because it can dull the surface or promote the growth of mildew. Caution: Wait at least 72 hours after installation (to allow new ceramic tile and grout to dry) before damp mopping. Use protective mats Good quality entry and exit mats will help protect your ceramic tile from premature wear. They trap the dirt, sand, grit, and other substances such as oil, asphalt, or driveway sealer that would otherwise be tracked onto your floor. Mats are also suggested at heavy pivot locations, such as in front of your kitchen sink or stove. Add protective pads to furniture Protect your tile by affixing felt or similar pads to the legs of any metal, iron, wood, or plastic furniture that will be placed on it. Exterior metal furniture, which rests on tile floors or patios, may rust and cause staining. Use recommended sealers and cleaners only We do not recommend cleaners other than Shaw's own line of floor care products or the vinegar solution described above. They may cause unwarranted damage to your tile and/or grout. Check cure time before adding grout sealer Unless noted otherwise on its packaging, grout should cure for at least 28 days before applying a sealer. Use a penetrating sealer on quarry tiles Shaw's quarry tiles are the only Shaw tiles that need a penetrating sealer. These sealers are absorbed into the tile, forming a stain resistant shield just below the surface. Most sealers will darken or change the appearance of the tile, and resealing is usually required every 12 to 18 months. None of Shaw's other tiles will need a sealer, as they are not porous enough to absorb it. To see more specific information on ceramic cleaning, click here.	THE BEST CHOICE FOR YOU Take a sample home. Live with it. See how it looks (and how you feel about it) throughout the day or during the time of the day you spend most at home; colors change their personality at different times of day, in different lights. CLEAN, CLEAN, CLEAN Ceramics are highly regarded for being low maintenance and easy to clean. And what do buyers want to see most? A clutter-free home that sparkles.

Ceramic Care

Maintenance

Proper maintenance is the key to a trouble-free ceramic tile floor.

Damp mop weekly

Wipe down your ceramic floor with a damp mop at least once a week (or more often for heavy traffic areas) with R2X Hard Surfaces Flooring Cleaner from Shaw's line of Floor Covering Care Products. If R2X Hard Surfaces Flooring Cleaner is not available, a mixture of 1 cup of white vinegar to 2 gallons of clean tap water can be used. Never use a detergent or soap, because it can dull the surface or promote the growth of mildew.

Caution: Wait at least 72 hours after installation (to allow new ceramic tile and grout to dry) before damp mopping.

Use protective mats

Good quality entry and exit mats will help protect your ceramic tile from premature wear. They trap the dirt, sand, grit, and other substances such as oil, asphalt, or driveway sealer that would otherwise be tracked onto your floor. Mats are also suggested at heavy pivot locations, such as in front of your kitchen sink or stove.

Add protective pads to furniture

Protect your tile by affixing felt or similar pads to the legs of any metal, iron, wood, or plastic furniture that will be placed on it. Exterior metal furniture, which rests on tile floors or patios, may rust and cause staining.

Use recommended sealers and cleaners only

We do not recommend cleaners other than Shaw's own line of floor care products or the vinegar solution described above. They may cause unwarranted damage to your tile and/or grout.

Check cure time before adding grout sealer

Unless noted otherwise on its packaging, grout should cure for at least 28 days before applying a sealer.

Use a penetrating sealer on quarry tiles

Shaw's quarry tiles are the only Shaw tiles that need a penetrating sealer. These sealers are absorbed into the tile, forming a stain resistant shield just below the surface. Most sealers will darken or change the appearance of the tile, and resealing is usually required every 12 to 18 months. None of Shaw's other tiles will need a sealer, as they are not porous enough to absorb it.

To see more specific information on ceramic cleaning, click here.

THE BEST CHOICE FOR YOU

Take a sample home. Live with it. See how it looks (and how you feel about it) throughout the day or during the time of the day you spend most at home; colors change their personality at different times of day, in different lights.

CLEAN, CLEAN, CLEAN

Ceramics are highly regarded for being low maintenance and easy to clean. And what do buyers want to see most? A clutter-free home that sparkles.

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