Different Type of Tiles and their Basic Cleaning Tips

Tiles are made from wide range of materials with individual characteristics. Tiles can be divided in 2 broad types (categories) - Synthetic tiles and Natural stone tiles. Due to their different characteristics it is essential to choose the right cleaner, knowing what features a particular tile has. It avoids unwanted harms for the tile and makes the cleaning process easy. 

The tile cleaning is dependent on the type of tiles, and in most case it is easy to maintain with regular care on primary level, here are several type of tiles are listed with some of their basic cleaning tips. 

Marble and Travertine Tile: Marble and Travertine tiles are natural stone tiles, these tiles are smooth, hard and cool in touch and offers a elegant and luxurious look. These types of tiles are relatively simple to maintain using the proper cleaning products such as natural pH cleaners. In marble and travertine tile cleaning a mops or cleaning cloth provides best cleaning results with normal pH cleaning solution. And for the safety of flooring it is good to avoid the acidic cleaner which harms its smoothness.

Granite Tile: Granite tile is another type of natural stone tiles, unlike marble and travertine tiles it required proper maintenance regularly. It comes with police so periodically it required re-polishing to reduce the chances of staining. In granite tile cleaning it is important to choose a pure green cleaning method which is friendly with its polish and shine.

Slate Tile: Slate tile is a unique pattern of natural stone tiles it comes with rugged and rusty look. This type of tile is porous and usually uneven in shape, it easily caught with stubborn stains so regular cleaning is very essential. In general maintenance neutral cleaners provides effective cleaning and in some cases bleach cleaners are required to clean this type of tiles.

Porcelain Tile: Porcelain tiles are synthetic tiles, its characteristics are very similar to natural stone tiles so these are used as an alternative of stone tiles. These tiles are more durable and damage resistance and normally required very low maintenance. And in cleaning it seems as   breeze, just with soap and water the stains can be eliminate easily. But in matte finished tiles frequent and specialized cleaning is required.

Ceramic Tile: Ceramic tile is highly popular type among in synthetic tiles. It provides large variety and better traction than natural stone tiles. Due to its good water and stain resistance no special cleaning solutions are required, it can comes out with effective cleaning results just with house hold dilute detergent solution.

Saltillo Tile: Saltillo tile is unique tile pattern in synthetic tiles, it is made of with south western desert clay and gives a rich yellow and orange look. It is in a class by itself, each tile is pure handmade and no two tiles can found exactly same.  This lack of uniformity makes them difficult and consequently expensive to install.  And it required heavy maintenance thereafter once installed. In cleaning process it highly opposes chemical cleaners and recommends pure green cleaning methods. 

Cork Tile: Cork tiles are mainly used in kitchen and bathroom due to its high friction, impact, moisture, dust, bacteria, mold, and rot resistance quality. It is also popular due to its sound proof property. This type of tiles required very law maintenance. During installation acrylic varnish is required to apply and when it got dull you can re-apply. Otherwise a natural pH cleaner is very good option for cleaning.