Use and Care Guide
Fairmont Beach FM07 tile shown
TILE CARE & MAINTENANCE PAGE 1 OF 6
TILE CARE &
MAINTENANCE
CERAMIC TILE
Routine Care
Tile, whether glazed ceramic or porcelain, should be maintained on a
regular and frequent basis to prevent build-up of soil, grease, residue,
soap detergents, sealers, dampness, liquids, etc., to keep the surface
clean and lessen slippery conditions.
Glazed ceramic and porcelain tiles require minimal maintenance.
Either can be cleaned with clear water and/or a pH neutral liquid
cleaner (soapless). Follow with a clear water rinse and wipe dry to
prevent film formation. As with most porcelains, spilled liquids may
stain light-colored products if not promptly removed. Neither sealing
nor acid cleaning is recommended for any of American Olean glazed
ceramic or porcelain tile.
Removal of Sealers/Waxes/Floor Finishes
If you need to remove a topical sealer or floor wax from a ceramic
tile you should use a Tile Sealer & Adhesive Remover. Always test a
small area first. Apply a liberal amount of undiluted sealer & adhesive
remover to a manageable area.
Allow setting without drying until coating or residue softens. Reapply
if necessary until sealer softens and can be removed. If necessary,
agitate with white nylon scrub pad. Wipe up the residue with a cotton
towel or sponge. Rinse thoroughly with clean water.
NOTE: Do not use on Natural Stone products.
CERAMIC TILE GROUT CARE
Penetrating/Impregnating Sealer
Most tile installations use cementitious grouts. This type of grout
should be sealed after installation to prevent the color from staining.
The grout should be sealed with a penetrating/impregnating sealer
(often called grout sealers) which does not contain silicone, as
silicone can shorten the useful life of the sealer.
Epoxy grouts, conversely, are chemically cured and acid resistant
and, as a result, do not require a sealer. The application of a good
quality penetrating/impregnating sealer into the grout joints of a
cementitious grout will not change the natural color of the grout,
but will prevent the penetration of moisture, simplify maintenance,
and help prevent staining or discoloration.
Only the grout needs to be sealed, not glazed floor or wall tiles.
Grout can be sealed 72 hours after installation. There are dierent
grades of penetrating/impregnating sealers, therefore the useful life
and price will dier between a low quality and high quality sealer.
You may need to reapply the sealer on an annual basis depending
on the sealer quality, trac patterns, and maintenance routine.
Some sealers have multiple year warranties for useful life. Refer
to the manufacturer’s warranty, technical & product information
for specific details on product installation, useful life, and product
applications (including any warnings) before use.
Grout Maintenance
Neither sealing the grout nor using a 100% Epoxy Grout will
guarantee against surface buildup or discoloration of the grout.
Grout needs to be cleaned on a periodic basis to remove any
surface buildup. Routine grout cleaning can be done with a daily
concentrated household or commercial cleaner depending on
the application.
When heavy duty grout cleaning is required, you will need to use
a professional strength Tile & Grout Cleaner that is capable of
removing grease, soap scum, body oil, mildew stains, algae, and
synthetic or acrylic waxes from the grout joints. However, such a
product should contain non-polluting chemicals and low volatile
organic compound (VOC) levels.