Porceline Tile help

[MinnieLove]

DH Is putting in porceline tile this weekend. Yeah for us - no more ugly green laminate tile. The ugliest kitchen will be gone! Back to subject...

What do I clean porceline tile with? What is your favorite product? What concerns should I have?

I have a Bissell Steam Mop Hard-Floor Cleaner? Use on tile?

And when peeps say "ceramic" tile - what is the difference between ceramic and porceline?

 

[Swimalie]

We had porcelain tile in our kitchen in our former house and I cleaned it with water. Simple water.

 

[dawson5]

Water and ammonia when I had tile in the kitchen and foyer. Sometimes vinegar and water. I would once every other month get on my hands and knees with a scrub brush and soapy water scrubbing the grout.

If it will see a lot of traffic, seal the grout and save yourself some cleaning (if it's a lighter colored grout).

 

[dfchelbay]

Vinegar and water to clean the tile.

Can we get your before and after photos of your project? Always love to see a home improvement project go from idea to completed renovation.

 

[apnep]

Ceramic is more porous unless it is glazed, and porcelain is more dense and considered stronger and more durable than a regular ceramic tile. A glazed ceramic tile is considered as strong as a porcelain. Ceramic is made of clay whereas porcelain is made out of finely ground sand.

You don't need anything special to clean either type of tile, but whatever you do, make sure you seal those grout lines, because those will get dirty over time.

Hope that helps.

 

[cvjw]

We put in porcelain tiles in our bathroom renovations. We picked porcelain because it is supposed to be more durable than ceramic or natural stone, and also easier to clean. I just clean mine with plain old water on a micro-fiber mop. SEAL your grout as other posters have said to keep your grout clean. Also, I wouldn't pick a grout color that is too light - the darker the better!

 

[MinnieLove]

Wow- I sure dont know how to spell porcelain. Kinda funny.

I will post pictures - it will probably be a little while. DH is a perfectionist and refuses to let anyone help in - he has no problem with having the kitchen - mudroom - bathroom torn up for more than a weekend

We chose a dark marbled tile - with a expresso grout. I dont want to look at dirty grout! And lord knows I dont clean floors daily (and dont plan too). Water - water and vinegar.... how about that Bissell Steam Mop - any body use it on porcelain?

I am not looking forward to super hard floor in kitchen. I guess I will put my shoes on before making breakfast!

 

[Pakey]

My entire house is porcelain tile floors. I use a Whitewing steamer on my floors. I got a Whitewing because of it's large capacity and grout cleaning attachments but I assume that the Bissel works in the same fashion and it should be fine to use on the floors. You just need to watch out that it doesn't put out a lot of water that would stay standing in the grout lines because that will discolor it over time. My steam cleaner only puts out very hot steam, not much moisture. I had another brand before this one and it left too much water in the grout tracks.

 

[Swimalie]

Wow- I sure dont know how to spell porcelain. Kinda funny.

I will post pictures - it will probably be a little while. DH is a perfectionist and refuses to let anyone help in - he has no problem with having the kitchen - mudroom - bathroom torn up for more than a weekend

We chose a dark marbled tile - with a expresso grout. I dont want to look at dirty grout! And lord knows I dont clean floors daily (and dont plan too). Water - water and vinegar.... how about that Bissell Steam Mop - any body use it on porcelain?

I am not looking forward to super hard floor in kitchen. I guess I will put my shoes on before making breakfast!

I heard, but didn't check in to it so you might want to, that vinegar wears down grout and the sealant. That's why I didn't use it at all. You might be able to find a porcelain tile cleaner from Method or at one of the home improvement stores.

 

[MinnieLove]

I heard, but didn't check in to it so you might want to, that vinegar wears down grout and the sealant. That's why I didn't use it at all. You might be able to find a porcelain tile cleaner from Method or at one of the home improvement stores.

thanks I will do some vinegar grout research!

 

[ReneeA]

Use your Bissell on the porcelain tile, it'll be the best thing for the tile and grout. Grout stains really easily, so many chemicals will stain or break down the grout. Plain old hot water from your Bissell will be perfect.

(This advice given on behalf of my DH, who's been a project manager for a tile company for 15 years.)

 

[ceecee]

The grout does get dirty easy, I agree with a darker grout. My bathroom grout must have been painted when we moved in and it's half worn off, what a job that will be! I use my Shark Steam mop and it works well.

 

[apnep]

Everything you want to know about tile and help from the experts is at the John Bridge Tile forums. Those guys are great. They literally helped me remodel my bathroom from plumbing, to shower install, to tiling.

Ang

 

[MinnieLove]

Learning so much...I am going to the forum mentioned above next.

Project update: tonight we removed all the trim, pulled up old laminate squares, removed appliances, swept crud up. Tomorrow renting a sander and leveling floors.

Does anyone remember the book "If You Give a Mouse a Cookie"? Now DH is talking about new appliances. We do need a new oven. Existing appliances are white. And he would love black/silver (not stainless steel).

 

[Swimalie]

Does anyone remember the book "If You Give a Mouse a Cookie"? Now DH is talking about new appliances. We do need a new oven. Existing appliances are white. And he would love black/silver (not stainless steel).

I was comparing my husband to that book the other night. We were talking about home improvement and he was doing the same thing. Today he replaced 3 lights in our house. One more tomorrow. Sounds like you've done a lot today. Good job and keep it up!

 

[dpy1000]

I just put porcelain tile in a shower and the main reason is that they are very good in wet applications. Also, they are very hard and durable. If you seal the grout lines, a steam cleaner will probably be the best.

 

[dreamin_disney]

In 3 weeks We will finally be getting new tile . We bought the house with tile already installed. It looked nice but the lady didnt work and was a clean freak. The house was set up like the finger hut type magazines-lol! it was nice and clean. She must have got down on hands and knees cux the tile even looked great-lol!

The tile in the kitchen is a white color. In the halls is a smaller tile kinda like a tan beige i guess. The grout is white and had no sealer Let say its now a darker color-lol! I've tried cleaning it but its a lot of tile(5x5 or 6x6) I've even had dh clean it with a brush scrubber and he used some stinky stuff and it looks great but he even says to much to keep up.

The tile we picked is a darker color and will have darker grout and it will be sealed-lol! The guy at Lowes said he and his wife use a shark steam cleaner and it looks beautiful afterwards. I'm glad to hear cuz i have the
Eureka 313A Enviro Hard-Surface Floor Steamer. I love it!