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How To Clean And Seal Your Tile

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Cleaning your tile is a process that you have to repeat often. However, if you want a more permanent clean, you should also seal your tile after cleaning. Tile sealant is quite expensive, but it will last for several years, adding a new layer of protection and water resistance to your tile and grout. Since the grout lines are the most vulnerable part of a tile floor, you want to clean them very well before sealing them. This article explains how to clean and seal your tile for a long-lasting, protective finish.

Cleaning the Floor

When it comes to cleaning your tile, you have to get down and dirty. That is, you might just need to get down on your hands and knees with a small scrub brush and use a little elbow grease to remove all the dirt, mold or soap scum that may have formed within the grout lines. Of course, showers, kitchens and rooms with heavy foot traffic are bound to be the dirtiest. You can find many different brands and types of tile and grout cleaners. For the more heavy duty products, go to a home improvement store. If you are looking for soap scum remover, you can find this at most stores among the household cleaning items. Basically, you might just have to do a little experimenting to see which cleaning solution works the best for your tile.

Sealing the Floor

Sealing is actually easier than cleaning your floor. Before you apply the sealant, you definitely want to vacuum the floor thoroughly. Any dirt or grime left on the tile will basically get sealed to it. The best way to apply sealant is to just pour it directly on your floor and then rub it around with sponges. You want to apply it liberally, but don't leave big puddles. Your goal should be to cover every square inch of tile and grout. Most products will suggest an amount of time for how long you should leave the sealant on the floor before wiping it up with drying racks. However, you should definitely apply at least two coats, allowing the floor to fully dry between each.

Cleaning and sealing the floor will take a couple of hours. However, by sealing your floor, you won't have to clean it as often, and you will save yourself a lot of time in the long run. This is a simple and inexpensive do-it-yourself project, so don't put it aside. If it isn't something you feel you have the time to do, you can also hire a professional tile cleaning service, such as Leo's Holland Floor Maintenance.


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