Ceramic tile countertops are high maintenance because they have grout joints that need to be tended to regularly. Food particles and liquids can stick to the grout joints of your ceramic tile countertop. If the grout joints are not cleaned properly, bacteria, fungus, molds, and mildew can grow in them. It is important to keep your ceramic tile kitchen countertop sanitized for you and your family’s health and safety.
Listed below are some tips on how to maintain and clean your ceramic tile countertop and keep them beautiful and sanitized.
Regularly cleaning your ceramic tile countertop
You have to clean your ceramic tile countertop daily even if you do not use it. You have to do this especially when it has just been installed because the grout has not fully cured yet. Dirt can easily get in the grout mortar because it is still soft.
For regular cleaning, use a sponge and a mild cleaning agent such as Windex. You can also use dishwashing liquid to clean the tiles. Use one capful of dishwashing liquid for every gallon of water. Avoid tile cleaners that are acid-based because they can damage the tiles and cause them to fade. Make sure that you clean the grout joints properly using the soft sponge. You can a rougher sponge, the one that is used for pots and pans, for particles that are hard to take out.
Keeping your ceramic tile countertop dry
Always keep your ceramic tile countertop dry especially when it is not in use. Stagnant water can stain the ceramic tiles and cause them to whiten or fade. It can make mildew and fungi to develop on the surface. Use a clean, dry cloth to wipe the surface dry after washing and sponging the tiles. You can also caulk your ceramic countertops with silicon mildew resistant caulk.
Polishing your ceramic countertop dry
Do not use floor wax to polish your countertop tiles. It can stick to the surface and be difficult to remove. As long as your ceramic tile countertop is sealed and maintained properly, then it should remain looking polished and brilliant. You can also buff the ceramic tiles with a brush or a clean, dry towel to enhance their brilliance and reduce spotting.
Repairing your ceramic countertop
Your ceramic tile countertop can crack or chip when a heavy object falls with a high impact on the surface. Thankfully, damaged ceramic tiles can be repaired easily. You can isolate the problem, take out the damaged tiles, and replace them with new ones. You do not need to replace the whole countertop unlike with other countertop materials. You can use a grout saw to cut into the middle of the grout joints on all sides of the damaged tiles. With a masonry chisel, tap the weakest corner of the tile until it breaks free and remove it. This area serves as your starting point. Once you have removed the whole tile, you can easily replace it with the same ceramic tile design and size, and seal it with grout mortar.
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Ceramic Countertops 
