After you get your new floor, cleaning ceramic tile floors is one of the first questions people usually ask. When I made the decision to put in ceramic floors, I didn't want to have to worry about old linoleum getting yellowed or torn. The laying of the ceramic floor wasn't really the issue. Instead, I knew there were a variety of tiles to choose from including ones that were a little rougher and uneven.

Ceramic tiles are popular because of their beauty as well as the fact that they are easier to clean. And, these different tiles can be used on walls as well and no matter which application you choose, some basic standard cleaning can keep them looking beautiful for many, many years.

Ceramic tiles can be purchased in two basic kinds; one is unglazed and the other is glazed. The difference is that the unglazed type usually requires more cleaning because they are not coated with an outer protective shell. Even though this may be a consideration, the good news is that can be cleaned using plain water. If you wipe down or mop tiles on a daily basis, and then dry them with a clean cloth, you can avoid the build-up of spills, mildew, and hard water stains that occur in or around the sink area of a kitchen.

One of the things I decided to do right from the start, some thought I was a little weird doing this, was to apply a sealer that you commonly can pick up at your local building supply store. By applying this sealer, after the grout has been given a chance to thoroughly dry, you can avoid staining not only the tile but more importantly to me was avoiding stains in the grout lines.

Here are a few tips of what not to do. Do not use any abrasive type cleaner on your ceramic floor or you could easily scratch the glaze or finish. If you are in doubt about a potential problem on your tile from a product, don't use it. So, if you have a really stubborn stain, try using diluted bleach that you would normally put in with your clothes. Ad a safety precaution, make sure you put on thick rubber gloves and make sure your room is well ventilated. Always follow specified safety procedures.

The old tried and true sweeping of the floor on a regular basis is also a good practice to follow. And, yes, you can use a vacuum cleaner but make sure you don't use the beater attachment because you may damage the finish. Those crevice-cleaning tools are great for cleaning around the edges too. To add a little more dirt catching capacity, install mats in entrance ways leading into areas with ceramic tile. These mats collect a lot of grit that could otherwise be tracked throughout.