Final advice: do caulk and consider sealing.
Once the tile has been laid and grouted, it’s your responsibility to maintain areas exposed to water by caulking.
Caulking will prevent expensive subsurface damage, as well as keep the tiled areas looking their best.
Depending on your lifestyle, sealing new tile and grout may be an option.
After the installation process is complete and the grout has had ample time to cure, sealing the grout and tile can provide protection from dirt and spills by slowing down the staining process.
Today there are also innovative grout colorants you should be aware of.
These products can transform the original color of grout and in some cases can act as a form of sealant. Please be aware that non-epoxy grout joints should be treated with a silicone sealer.
Regular care and maintenance will keep your ceramic tile looking new for years to come, and will keep your home a showcase for family and friends.
For more maintenance information specific to your ceramic tile flooring, remember to consult the ceramic tile’s manufacturer recommendations.
Rust stains on tile can be removed with kerosene.
Cleaning Ceramic Tile
Before cleaning bathroom tiles, run the shower on hot for five minutes to steam the dirt loose.
For stubborn stains, apply a paste of scouring powder and water and let sit for five minutes. Scrub with a nylon scrub pad, rinse and wipe dry.
To keep the grout joints on tile countertops clean longer, wash with a solution of 1 to 2 tablespoons chlorine bleach in one quart of water. Dry thoroughly, then apply an acrylic sealer or three coats of lemon oil. Let dry one hour between coats.
Remove mildew and make tiles sparkle by sponging with a solution of ammonia and water.
Remove soot from fireplace tiles with a mixture of lemon juice and salt, then wash.
Cleaning Plastic Tile
If bathroom walls are dull, wash the tiles with a solution of vinegar and water. Polish with a towel.
Has a tile come loose? For a quick fix, put a little piece of chewing gum on each corner, use a warm iron to press it back into place.
Cleaning Porcelain
Lighter fluid will remove most dark, stubborn stains from porcelain sinks and bathtubs.
Tips on Cleaning Ceramic Tile
Ceramic Tiles:
Ceramic tiles come as glazed and unglazed types. The glazed ceramic tiles are more popular because of many advantages like ease of cleaning, low or no maintenance and availability of unlimited varieties. These tiles can be used in kitchen and bathrooms. Unglazed tiles are used for flooring.
Problems with Ceramic Tiles:
The ceramic tiles are not free of problems. The major problem is it can easily be scratched and it can crack if wrong chemicals are used for cleaning. Once the tile is scratched, it becomes difficult to clean as dirt goes into the scratches and cracks, and it shows. The tiles cannot be easily replaces as the replacement tile would not have the same color shade and the replacement tile shows itself as an odd tile. The ceramic tiles are long lasting if not scratched or cracked.
Type of dirt on bathroom tiles: The ceramic tile can attract dirt from many sources. While the tiles themselves are easy to clean, the joints (grout) in tiles presents a bigger challenge then the tiles themselves. The problems of ceramic tiles are more severe on bathroom tiles because of the chemicals used in bathrooms. The ceramic tiles can have cleaning problems as detailed below.
Soap Scum
Scum from soap: The scum from soap can make the ceramic tile look bad. The scum comes from talc in the soap and it would be preferable to use soaps with no talc at all. However, this is not the solution to the problem.
To remove soap scum cover the area with laundry detergent and allow standing for several hours. Rub with sponge and clean with water. Resistant stains can be cleaned by scrubbing with brush. Tri-sodium phosphate is also a good solution in removing soap scum.
Ceramic/Porcelain Care
Ceramic tile is beautiful, durable, practical and an elegant addition to any home. Are you picturing it in your home?
It also offers a seemingly endless variety of style options – hundreds of textures, patterns and glazings in numerous sizes.
But if you are about to make this flooring a solution for the way you live, take care. Take care of your investment and it will reward you and your home for many, many years to come.
Plus, knowing what’s expected of you regarding flooring upkeep can be a determining factor in the type of ceramic tile you purchase.
That’s why we put this section together for you. It’s about the care, considerations and cautions of maintaining a ceramic tile floor. Maybe your floor.
So check over the following advice and be a little smarter about smart and stylish ceramic tile.
Sweep but don’t “beat” ceramic tile.
It’s important to sweep a tile floor regularly. Dirt can adhere to the surface of tile, particularly styles with a textured surface.
Regular sweeping loosens and removes most of this dirt. So keep on sweeping.
Don’t forget those labor saving devices. Feel free to use a vacuum cleaner to sweep, but be sure to use one without a beater bar to avoid dulling and scratching the tiles.
However, the attachments that accompany vacuum cleaners are useful to collect dirt along edges or in between tiles.
Keep dirt in its place.
Be sure to use walk-off mats to minimize and contain dirt being tracked in at entryways. And shake them often, homeowner.
This reduces the amount of dirt being tracked across the tile floor, and reduces the wear to the finished surface.
Cleaning tips that really shine.
Ceramic tile floors should be damp-mopped regularly using the manufacturer’s recommended grout and tile cleaners.
For heavier soil, you can spot clean the floor with a sponge or clean cloth using the recommended cleaners.
Rinse well and wipe dry for more shine.
Textured tiles may require mild scrubbing with a soft brush or electric polisher/scrubber.
After cleaning with a mild detergent rinse thoroughly with clean, warm water to help remove any leftover residue.
If needed wipe dry with a clean towel to remove any film.
For soft water situations you may need to use an all-purpose cleaner.
Apply to the floor, let stand for 3 - 5 minutes, lightly scrub with a sponge, rinse well and you’re home free – dirt free too.
For heavier cleaning tasks there are cleaning products available from your local grocery store that can be used to remove soap scum, hard water deposits, and mildew stains.
You’ll want to consult the cleaning product’s instructions to make sure the product is compatible with your type of tile.
After cleaning, rinse well and wipe dry for optimum shine. And maximum pride.
No-Nos for those in the know.
Avoid using steel wool, scouring powders, or other abrasives that can scratch the finish of the tile.
Don’t use bleach or ammonia based cleaners, as these products can discolor your grout if used too often.
Also, do not clean glazed tile with oil-based cleaners.
Be fast on your feet. Try to clean up spills as quickly as possible so that the grout or tile doesn’t become stained.
While ceramic tile is considered very durable, it’s not indestructible and may crack or chip under extreme force.
Take the proper precautions when moving heavy objects across your tile floor. Get a small army to help you move that grand piano.
Cover furniture and table legs with protectors to guard your floor against damage.
Keep in mind that if a repair is necessary in the future, the replacement product may be a slightly different dye lot and/or texture than the initial installation.
However, the good news is that, with time and usage, the repair will blend in with the original product.
it's going to be a roaring twenties holiday season
I'm currently seeking a few moments refuge from all my studying. I've been taking study breaks looking up 1920s fashions and I'm OBSESSED! I've had a thing for the twenties ever since 10th grade when my teacher made us learn the Charleston, and showed us images of flappers. The twenties are probably my favourite era for clothing. The beautiful dresses, the hair, the jewelry and of course the attitude that went along with everything. I think what makes the clothing so attracting is the history that goes along with it. This was the era when women finally began to break out of the standards that had been set up for them. I could give you all a history lesson, but I'll let you do the research yourselves. You can all just enjoy these photographs for now :)
Ps. In reference to my title, I bought a flapper dress at a vintage shop for an incredible price and I plan to wear it for Christmas, complete with the hair, the makeup and the attitude.
Original Yoshitoshi (1839 - 1892) Japanese Woodblock Print
Kamitsukeno Yatsunada Attacking Saohime's Castle, 1880
Series; Mirror of Famous Generals of Japan
Mirror of Famous Generals of Japan - Yoshitoshi designed this fantastic series of fifty-one prints of military heroes from 1876 to 1882. These dramatic images of famous warriors created a sensation with the Japanese public. Full of violence and intense emotions, Yoshitoshi's bold and innovative compositions tackled a historic subject using a modern style. His realism and drafting skill captured the important legacy of these national heroes at a time when Japan was struggling with the aftermath of the Satsuma Rebellion. Classic Yoshitoshi images, these dynamic prints are a great choice for collectors.
Original 19th century Japanese Woodblock Print
Sea Life and Mermaid
Comments - Fantastic print featuring a wide range of sea life, complete with a mermaid with long flowing hair. These wonderfully detailed creatures include an octopus, a puffer fish, a crab, a whale, a lobster, a ray, and a variety of shells. The green background provides a striking contrast to the deep red, gray, white, and black of the figures. A fascinating example of "giga," a broad genre of prints made for amusement.
