Tile Care & Maintenance

Simple routines to keep grout, edges, and silicone tidy and watertight.

Bright bathroom with porcelain wall tile and neat silicone corner joint, clean 2 mm grout lines

What’s the best daily tile care routine?

A few minutes of regular care keeps your tile installation looking pristine and extends its lifespan significantly.

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Daily Care

Wipe splashes in kitchens and showers; a quick squeegee keeps glass and tile streak-free.

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Weekly clean

Vacuum or sweep loose grit; mop with pH-neutral cleaner; rinse and dry.

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Pro Tip

Microfibre cloths and soft pads protect finishes; avoid abrasive scourers on glossy surfaces.

Tile Care Reminder

Always use pH-neutral cleaners to protect your grout and tile finish

5 min

Daily Care

20 min

Weekly deep clean

10+ yrs

Maintained Beauty

95%

Stain Prevention

Which cleaners are safe for grout and tile?

Follow these essential guidelines to keep your tiles looking their best and avoid common maintenance mistakes that can lead to costly issues.

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DO These Things

Use pH-neutral cleaners

Protects both grout and tile surfaces from chemical damage

Ventilate after showers

Reduces moisture buildup and prevents mould growth

Place mats at entries

Catches grit and debris before it reaches your tile

Wipe up spills promptly

Prevents staining and maintains surface integrity

Use microfibre cloths

Gentle cleaning that won't scratch delicate finishes

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DON'T Do These Things

Use acidic/bleach based products

Can damage grout and discolour surfaces over time

Use abrasive pads on glossy tile

Scratches and dulls the surface finish permanently

Force water into corners

Can compromise silicone seals—wipe and dry instead

Let soap scum build up

Becomes increasingly difficult to remove over time

Drag heavy furniture

Can chip or crack tiles—always lift and protect

Quick Reference Guide

How often should silicone joints be replaced?

At changes of plane  (corners,tub/shower→wall) Silicone is used instead of grout. Proper maintenance keeps these critical seals watertight and tidy.
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Why Silicone Instead of Grout?

Changes of plane experience movement from thermal expansion, settling, and use. Silicone's flexibility accommodates this movement while maintaining a watertight seal, whereas rigid grout would crack.

How do you maintain tiles long term?

After each use, wipe silicone joints dry with a clean cloth to prevent water buildup

Check for any discolouration, gaps, or softening that may indicate maintenance needs

Watch for mould, mildew, or loss of adhesion around edges and corners

Plan a silicone refresh every 3-5 years to maintain watertight seals

What are the Priority Areas to Monitor for Tile Care?

Tub/Shower to Wall

Inspection Frequency:

Check monthly

Floor to Wall Corners

Inspection Frequency:

Check quarterly

Countertop to Backsplash

Inspection Frequency:

Check semi-annually

Window/Door Trim

Inspection Frequency:

Check annually

Need Silicone Refresh?

If you notice discolouration over time, planning a silicone refresh keeps lines
tidy and watertight for years to come.

How do I prevent furniture from scratching tile?

During move-ins or furniture changes, proper protection prevents costly damage. Simple precautions maintain your investment for decades.

Move-In Protection

1-3 days

Comprehensive protection during furniture delivery and initial setup

Action Steps

Materials Needed

Daily Living

Ongoing

Simple habits that protect tiles during regular use

Action Steps

Materials Needed

Special Events

As needed

Additional protection for parties, renovations, or maintenance work

Action Steps

Materials Needed

What size felt pads should I use on my Furniture?

Chairs & Bar Stools

Solution: Felt pads + regular replacement

Check pads monthly—wear causes scratching

Tables & Desks

Solution: Large felt pads on all legs

Consider furniture cups for very heavy pieces

Appliances

Solution: Rubber mats + professional moving

Never drag—use appliance dollies always

Sofas & Beds

Solution: Wide furniture pads

Lift to clean underneath periodically

Macro of chair leg with felt pad on porcelain floor tile showing 2 mm grout line

The cost of proper protection materials is typically 1-2% of tile installation cost, but can prevent damage costing 10-20% of original investment.

Preventive investment → Long-term savings

What are the most common Tile damages and how do I stop them?

Scratches

Cause:

Dragging furniture, grit under furniture pads

Prevention:

Dragging furniture, grit under furniture pads

Chips

Cause:

Heavy impacts, dropped items

Prevention:

Protective mats, careful handling

Stains

Cause:

Spills under furniture, trapped moisture

Prevention:

Regular cleaning, proper ventilation

Cracks

Cause:

Extreme weight, point loading

Prevention:

Weight distribution, professional moving

Golden Rule of Floor Protection

Lift heavy items—don’t drag.
Keep chair pads clean so grit doesn’t abrade the surface. The few extra seconds it takes to lift instead of drag can prevent damage that takes hours and hundreds of dollars to address.

Always lift furniture

Keep pads debris-free

Never drag furniture

Related Tile Services

Curbless Shower Tile Installation

Waterproofed showers with Schluter® systems

Floor Tile Installation

Large-format and mosaic floor installations

Fireplace Tile Installation

Professional membrane installation and moisture protection

Kitchen Backsplash Installation

Custom backsplash installation with perfect edge transitions

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