Tile Care & Maintenance
Proper care helps preserve the appearance and performance of tile and architectural materials over time. Maintenance requirements vary by material, finish, installation, exposure and the products used during installation.
As a general rule, clean spills promptly, remove abrasive dirt and grit regularly, use non-abrasive cleaning tools and avoid acidic or harsh chemical cleaners unless specifically approved for the material. Always follow the current instructions provided by the manufacturer of any cleaner, sealer or maintenance product being used, and test new products in an inconspicuous area first.
For installation, sealing and grout recommendations, please review our Tile Installation Guidelines.
Cement Tile Care & Maintenance
Cement tile is a porous cement-based material and should be properly sealed during installation. For routine care, sweep or vacuum floors regularly to remove sand, grit and other abrasive debris, and damp mop as needed with a pH-neutral cleaner suitable for cement tile or natural stone.
Avoid vinegar, acidic cleaners, harsh chemicals and abrasive pads. Acidic products can etch or discolor cement tile. Follow the cleaner manufacturer's dilution and application instructions and remove spills promptly, particularly oils, strongly colored liquids and other materials that may stain porous surfaces.
Entry mats can help reduce tracked-in dirt and abrasive grit. Cement tile floors may gradually develop a natural patina from normal use and maintenance; this change in appearance is characteristic of the material.
If staining occurs, begin with an appropriate non-acidic cleaner or stain-removal product approved for porous cement tile or natural stone. Test any treatment first. Contact Cement Tile Shop or a qualified tile or stone restoration professional before sanding, polishing or using aggressive stain-removal techniques, as these methods can permanently change the color or finish.
Cement tile may require periodic resealing depending on traffic, exposure, cleaning practices and the sealer used. Rather than following a fixed schedule, monitor the surface for reduced water and stain resistance and follow the sealer manufacturer's current recommendations. The tile must be thoroughly clean and dry before resealing. Apply sealer as directed and remove excess before it dries on the surface.
Cement Tile Shop recommends Miracle 511 Porous Plus or another compatible penetrating sealer suitable for cement tile and the specific application.
Zellige Tile Care & Maintenance
Glazed zellige is generally easy to maintain. Clean the surface with a mild, pH-neutral cleaner suitable for tile or natural stone and use non-abrasive cloths, sponges or mops.
Avoid vinegar, acidic cleaners, strongly alkaline cleaners, abrasive pads and harsh chemicals. These products may dull, discolor, etch or otherwise affect handmade glazed surfaces, grout and adjacent materials.
For floor installations, sweep or vacuum regularly to remove abrasive debris and damp mop as needed. Entry mats can reduce tracked-in dirt and wear. Clean spills and excess moisture promptly, particularly on unglazed or porous surfaces.
Glazed zellige does not normally require routine sealing. Unglazed zellige products, including Seashell Unglazed and Unglazed Terracotta, require penetrating sealer and may need to be resealed periodically depending on exposure, use and the sealer manufacturer's recommendations.
Handmade zellige used on floors may gradually develop a natural patina and signs of wear. These changes are characteristic of the material and contribute to its appearance over time.
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Terrazzo Tile Care & Maintenance
Terrazzo should be kept free of abrasive dirt and grit through regular sweeping, dust mopping or vacuuming. Clean spills promptly and damp mop with clean water or a pH-neutral cleaner suitable for terrazzo, following the cleaner manufacturer's instructions.
Avoid acidic cleaners, abrasive cleaning products and aggressive scrubbing methods that may affect the finished surface. Wax and heavy polish buildup should also be avoided unless specifically recommended for the particular terrazzo product and finish.
Depending on the type of terrazzo, finish, application and installation system, periodic professional maintenance or resealing may be appropriate. Follow the recommendations for the particular product and any sealer or treatment applied during installation.
Natural variation, aggregate exposure, small pits and other surface characteristics are inherent to many terrazzo products and should not automatically be treated as stains or defects.
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Marble & Natural Stone Care
Marble and other natural stone should be cleaned with a pH-neutral cleaner formulated for natural stone. Sweep or dust mop floors regularly to remove abrasive grit, and blot spills promptly rather than allowing liquids to remain on the surface.
Do not use vinegar, lemon-based cleaners or other acidic products on marble. Acids can react with the calcium carbonate in marble and cause permanent etching or dulling of the surface. Abrasive powders, harsh scrub pads and cleaners not approved for natural stone should also be avoided.
Some natural stone installations benefit from a penetrating sealer to improve stain resistance. Sealer does not make stone stain-proof or waterproof. Follow the recommendations of the stone, sealer and installation-product manufacturers for the specific application.
For persistent staining, etching, scratching or loss of polish, consult a qualified natural-stone restoration professional rather than attempting aggressive cleaning or refinishing methods.
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Brass Inlay Cement Tile
Our Pacific Brass Collection combines brass with handmade cement tile and should be maintained with care appropriate to both materials. Clean the cement-tile surface using the same mild, pH-neutral products recommended for standard cement tile.
Avoid acidic cleaners, abrasive products and aggressive polishing compounds. Do not use metal polish, chemical tarnish removers or other specialty metal cleaners on installed brass inlay unless their compatibility with the surrounding cement tile and sealer has first been confirmed.
For staining, discoloration or restoration concerns involving brass inlay tile, contact Cement Tile Shop before attempting abrasive polishing or refinishing.
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Breeze Block Care & Maintenance
Breeze block is a porous cement-based architectural material. Routine maintenance generally consists of removing loose dust and debris and cleaning as needed with a mild, pH-neutral cleaner and a soft cloth, sponge or brush.
Avoid harsh acids, aggressive chemical solvents and abrasive cleaning methods that may discolor or damage the surface. Outdoor installations should be inspected periodically for staining, biological growth, cracks, impact damage or other changes associated with exposure and site conditions.
Because exterior conditions and installation systems vary, persistent staining, mold, cracking or other concerns should be evaluated based on the specific installation rather than treated with aggressive cleaners without testing first.
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Scarpa Inlay & Mixed-Material Tile
Scarpa Inlay and other mixed-material products can combine natural stone, cement tile, terrazzo and other materials within a single design. Because different materials can react differently to cleaners and maintenance products, use a conservative approach and treat the installation according to its most sensitive component.
For routine maintenance, use a mild, pH-neutral cleaner suitable for natural stone and cement-based materials. Avoid acidic cleaners, abrasive products and aggressive polishing unless compatibility with every material in the design has been confirmed.
For stains, refinishing or restoration of mixed-material installations, consult Cement Tile Shop or a qualified tile and stone professional before proceeding.
Explore the Scarpa Inlay Collection.
General Maintenance Tips
- Clean spills promptly.
- Remove sand, dirt and grit regularly to reduce scratching and wear.
- Use pH-neutral, non-acidic cleaners appropriate for the material.
- Follow all cleaner and sealer manufacturer instructions.
- Test new products in an inconspicuous area first.
- Avoid vinegar and other acidic cleaners on cement tile, zellige, terrazzo and natural stone.
- Do not assume that a cleaner suitable for one tile material is appropriate for another.
- Contact a qualified tile or stone restoration professional before sanding, grinding, polishing or attempting aggressive stain removal.
If you are unsure how to clean or maintain a Cement Tile Shop product, contact us before applying a new cleaner, sealer or restoration treatment. Call (800) 704-2701 or email customerservice@cementtileshop.com.