Envision watching your brand new porcelain tiles getting installed.  Watching them put the finishing touch on the installation, and seeing for the first time your brand new floor in all of its glory.  New, pristine, and virtually untouched.  Then picture someone coming in out of the rain and tracking mud and grime all over your new floor. Cleaning your porcelain tile is not like cleaning other surfaces.  This is because porcelain tiles fire at a much higher temperature than the average ceramic tile (2,300°F apposed to 1,800°F) which drives out more water, making a stronger structure.  Also, because of the unique ingredients used to make porcelain, it will form into a low-order glass, making it extremely water resistant (Read more about it here).  Because of this porcelain will absorb less than or equal to 0.5% of moisture, helping the tile become more stain resistant, as well as not allowing dirt to penetrate the surface; however, it is still necessary to remove the dirt and grime from the top of the tiles. 

Here are five things you should know before cleaning your porcelain tiles. 1)      Start with a clean slate Often overlooked, a great deal of construction dirt and grout haze can be left over from the installation.  Having a thorough cleaning after the initial install will ensure the ease of future daily maintenance. 2)      (Water) Resistance is few-tile Because porcelain tile is generally water and stain resistant, the daily upkeep is quite easy.  Use warm water to keep your tiles looking neat and eliminate the need for chemicals and cleaners. 3)      Brush the dirt off your tile If there is loose dirt on the tile, consider using a soft, natural bristle broom, or simply vacuum the debris off the floor.  If the soil is a little more caked on, try using a nylo-grit brush.  You will want to brush and scrub slowly in an overlapping figure eight pattern.  If this still doesn’t do the trick, try a 175 rpm rotary scrubber to get the proper results.

4)      Stain in the back If you happen to get a stain, we recommend the use of an ordinary floor cleaning product diluted with warm water (3-4 capfuls per 5 gallon bucket, or per manufacturer).  Using oily products can produce an oily layer over your porcelain tiles, which you don’t want. 5)      Avoid the Acid Trip We do not recommend the use of acid washing, especially if you have colored grouts.  This is because the use of acids can cause discoloration of the grout joints, and in severe cases the color pigment can actually affix itself to the surface of the tile, in turn making it more difficult to clean. However, if you do go this route, have several rinse buckets with clean water available before attempting to pick up the scrubbed solution.  Use a wet vacuum to pick up the liquid and immediately rinse the surface with clean, cold water.  Pick up the rinse water and repeat until the surface is completely free of any foreign substance. Although there are many ways to properly clean your floor, you can’t be too careful. 

Knowing these five steps will serve you well as you keep your investment nice and clean. Having a clean floor will help you achieve the maximum life-cycle of your floor.pool cleaner jobs houston Take a look at our Porcelain Tile Collections!!best way to clean needlepoint please enable JavaScript in your browser.pool table felt cleaner quick clean How to Clean Tiles and Groutcarpet cleaning services castle hill Grout is literally the glue that keeps our tile floors together. chem dry carpet cleaning coupons

Sometimes, that glue gets dirty. Here are a few ways to best clean both tile and grout. 1. A Clean Slate. Before mopping, use Swiffer Sweeper. carpet cleaning companies in kentIts textured cloths conform to the surface of your floor to trap and lock dirt, dust and hair. These methods will help you avoid scratching your tiling before you mop. Then, gently wipe down everything with water. 2. A Good Solution. Sweeper wet cloths can also help break up and dissolve any remaining tough messes, giving your floors a powerful clean, and finishing the job. 3. Third Time’s the Charm. If you’re looking for some extra cleaning power, Mr. Clean Magic Eraser Bath Scrubber is a fantastic option to remove deep-seated dirt, grime and stains from your tile—so give the big, bald man a shout! Deep in the Trenches. A simple cleaning lifehack is creating a baking soda and water paste, then letting it sit in the grout for 15 minutes.

Then brush away any dirt and grime with a firm toothbrush.The Perfect Choice Over Stone, Ceramic, and Porcelain Alterna engineered stone offers the timeless elegance and beauty of stone and tile, but its engineered stone construction makes Alterna tiles tough enough to handle the hardest working rooms in your home - kitchens, bathrooms, living - really, any room, for a lifetime. Choose from a wide variety of styles including marble, travertine, slate and urban-inspired designs featuring weathered metal,Our newest collection of reclaimed wood looks complement each other and provide endless design possibilities. Our durable engineered stone construction makes Alterna tiles a perfect choice over stone, ceramic and porcelain: Warmer to the touch than ceramic or stone Easy-to-clean surface resists stains and soil Strong, yet flexible enough to cover subfloor irregularities that can crack ceramic or stone tile Our most popular collections are available in multiple-shapes and sizes, so you can create a unique floor pattern that's all

View Tile Selection Guide to see tiles available in multiple sizes The natural beauty of Alterna isn't limited to floors! Use Alterna, with or without grout as a decorative backsplash, accent wall or other focal point to bring added style to your space. *Alterna is not recommended for shower walls, fireplace surrounds or any wall application that exposes it to continuous saturation or temperatures above 300°F. Enhance the authentic look of your Alterna engineered stone with coordinating grout. Choose from a variety of complementary color options to capture the look that's perfect for your home. Available in warm and cool tones, our grout comes ready to use, requires no sealing and is resistant to mositure, stains and cracking. View Coordinated Grout Chart Put the finishing touch on your new Alterna floor with coordinating trim. This multi-purpose trim is available in a range of harmonious styles and varying heights to help you achieve a seamless transition.

This versatile trim can also be used as t-molding or to reduce floor surface area. Our stairnose trim lets you finish the edges of stairs, step downs or landing. Bring signature style to your home with our Alterna design kits. These kits are easy to use and take the guess work out of calculating how much flooring is required. Choose from two distinctively unique design kits. Historic District & Grain Directions - includes 12x24 & 8x16 sizes in a blend of all colors from each line Opus Pattern - available in six distinct desing kits featuring 16x16, 8x16 and 8x8 sizes If you're a DIYer you can easily install an Alterna floor with a few basic tools using our special S-288 adhesive, which can be found at your local flooring store. Engineered to reduce sound and compensate for slight subfloor irregularities, Armstrong Quiet Comfort Luxury Flooring underlayment is ideal for use with Alterna engineered stone flooring. When used with Alterna flooring, Armstrong Quiet Comfort Luxury Flooring