| Cleaning tiles is not as easy as you think. Tiles used in | | | | product that is easier to wash off, but also more |
| the home are set in a thin plaster-like substance | | | | expensive. Remember not to use scouring powders |
| called grout. The best and easiest way to clean a | | | | or other abrasives that can scratch the finish. To |
| ceramic tile floor is to scrub it with an electric floor | | | | clean ceramic tile, mix vinegar, ammonia, baking soda |
| washer or polisher-scrubber. The thorough cleaning | | | | and warm water. Store the solution in a spray bottle |
| action should brighten the tile and joints. You can use | | | | for easy bathroom cleaning. Cleaning stains out of |
| a solution of detergent, washing soda or tri-sodium | | | | grout can test your patience. The porous nature of |
| phosphate or commercial floor cleaning powder in one | | | | grout lets liquid cleaners seep right through. If the |
| gallon of water. | | | | stain refuses to budge, soak a heavy-duty paper |
| When further treatment is needed, particularly for | | | | towel with straight peroxide laying the towel on top |
| the grout, apply a solution of water and chlorine | | | | of the stain. Cover the towel with plastic wrap to |
| bleach (liquid or powdered). There still may be white | | | | prevent the peroxide from drying out quickly. |
| or gray dust tracks over both the surface and in | | | | If that doesn't work, mix a paste of straight |
| carpeted floor areas even if the tiles have been | | | | peroxide and baking soda. Allow the bubbling to |
| sealed. The whitish dust is from the grout used in | | | | subside. Apply to the stain and let it set. Shaving |
| laying the floor. You may use muriatic acid to clean | | | | cream sprayed on stains also does a good job |
| up floor surfaces. Most tile installers use a commercial | | | | removing them. |