Use and Care Manual

Maintenance Recommendations

for Ceramic Tiles, Porcelain, Grout and Natural Stone Flooring

Tile and stone are a popular choice for flooring as they provide a practical and aesthetically pleasing surface that

is easy to care for and long-lasting. By following the basic principles described below, you will maintain your floor

in good condition, with many years of trouble-free service.

Eliminate grit

Sand or grit, tracked onto the floor by footwear, can cause premature wearing of hard-surface flooring and

damage floors by abrading and scratching the surface. These easy-to-follow steps will help keep your floor in

good condition:

1. Place dust mats by the door, ideally one inside and outside.

2. Clean the mats regularly, as they will eventually get full of grit.

3. Sweep, vacuum or dust mop the floor regularly to keep grit down to a minimum. Take care not to trap grit

under metal parts of the vacuum cleaner. A soft brush or broom is preferred.

Attend to spills as they occur

Even though your floor may be protected by a glaze, or a seal of some kind, liquid contaminant spills should be

removed as soon as possible after they occur. The longer spills are left to dwell on grout or unglazed materials,

the more likely they are to create a stain. Also, some liquids may be acidic, such as red wine, fruit juices, coffee

and soft drinks, and can etch the surface of acid-sensitive surfaces, in addition to potentially causing a stain,

so speed is of the essence. Use absorbent paper towels or similar items to absorb as much of the spillage as

possible. Let any remaining stain dry and then wash lightly with a neutral detergent (see “Routine Maintenance”

below). Never apply a cleaning solution directly onto a spill before wiping off the excess first, as this may drive

the contaminant deeper into the surface.

Routine maintenance

For routine cleaning, use a mild, neutral detergent, such as MAPEI’s UltraCare

™

Concentrated Tile & Grout

Cleaner. The use of “off-the-shelf” high-alkaline cleaners should be kept to a minimum, and avoid using bleach.

Follow the label instructions for proper dilution and use. How often you will need to do this will depend on the type

and frequency of the foot traffic. Some floors will require washing more frequently while others less so, but for a

guide, once per week should be sufficient. Some high-polished surfaces may require buffing with a dry towel

immediately after rinsing to avoid streaking. Using a microfiber mop may also be more convenient.

Periodic deep cleaning

From time to time, it may be necessary to give the floor and grout joints an intensive “deep cleaning”. This may be

only once per year, again depending on exposure to dirt and maintenance practices. Tiles with a heavily textured

surface will require more frequent deep cleanings than smooth-surfaced floors. Rough-textured surfaces will

also benefit from the use of a deck or scrubbing brush, rather than a regular mop. To effectively remove built-up

grease and grime, use an alkaline cleaner, such as UltraCare Heavy-Duty Stone, Tile & Grout Cleaner. Follow all

label instructions. For heavily soiled or neglected areas, use UltraCare Abrasive Surface Cleaner in conjunction

with the Heavy-Duty Stone, Tile & Grout Cleaner for best results.