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Cleaning dirty grout in bathroom marble tiles

May 31, 2012

One of the advantages of using natural stone tiles is their resistance to stains and moisture, but that doesn’t happen automatically. And even the most durable tiles depend on the grout that holds them together, so the best way to keep your bathroom looking great is with a little care and maintenance.

First, it’s important to have a good sealer. Any stone is somewhat porous, which can allow a variety of liquids to work their way in and leave unsightly stains. That can be fixed by applying a coat of protective sealer that fills in the pores and leaves your natural stone tiles ready for whatever you throw at them.

Once the stone is properly sealed, caring for it will be easy. Just make sure you have the right product for the type of stone you’re using and the cleaning you need to do.

In general, a specialized cleaner should be free of bleach, ammonia, or other ingredients that could break down your sealer and damage the stone. But the variety of colors and patterns that can help natural stone tiles fit in so many different aesthetics means that not all stones are created equal, so keep the nature of your own tiles in mind. Some products, like the Restore™ acidic cleaner, can easily remove hard water deposits or soap scum to give your tiles a pristine look, but shouldn’t be used on dyed granite or concrete or other acid-sensitive stones.

You can find some guidelines about the best cleaners to use, along with a list of products, on the Marble and Granite website. And once you have the right cleaners, all you need is a little patience. To clean out mold or mildew, for instance, apply the mold and mildew cleaner to the tiles, then let it sit for a few minutes before rinsing off the area. If the mildew isn’t gone, just repeat the process.

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Decorating your bathroom with natural stone tiles can help to set a great aesthetic for your home, combining an elegant design with durable materials. Getting that results, and helping your stone tiles looking pristine, just calls for a little attention to detail.

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