Tile is one of the most durable and maintenance-friendly surfaces you can choose for your walls and floors. With proper care it will retain its original beauty and luster for many years. Generally, all that is necessary to keep your tile looking as good as new is a quick wipe with a damp cloth or mop. Heavier cleaning may be needed periodically to refresh your tile, or to clean tile that has been neglected for a long period of time. No special or unusual treatment is ever required, and it never needs to be waxed or polished. To protect the long life of your tile, just follow the simple suggestions that follow.

Glazed tile walls in your home will easily keep their lovely look with simple care. Just wipe regularly with a damp cloth or sponge using a non-abrasive household cleaner. (Abrasive cleaners will cause scratching to shiny tile surfaces.) A routine cleaner such as AquaKleen™ is ideal for cleaning glossy tile surfaces. For glazed tile floors, vacuum regularly to remove dirt and gritty particles. Follow with a mop or sponge dampened with warm water. Porcelain tile can be most successfully cleaned by scrubbing with hot water and a mild detergent, then rinsed. Tiled surfaces in your bathroom may require a more thorough routine cleaning because of a build-up of soap scum, body oils or hard-water stains. Use a clean, damp cloth or sponge with an all-purpose cleaner, but allow it to stand for about five minutes before rinsing and drying. Hardwater stains can be removed easily with Phosphoric Acid Substitute. Clean your shower regularly, dry with a towel after each use and leave the curtain or door open between showers.

For high traffic areas or when tile has been neglected for a long time, intensive cleaning may be required. Glazed wall tile should be cleaned with a non-metallic pad, warm water and a scouring powder. Care should be exercised to not use cleaners that contain colored dyes or bleach, as they may alter the appearance of the grout color. In common areas, a heavy duty cleaner such as Heavy Duty Tile & Grout Cleaner will provide excellent results. Refer to the chart below for additional cleaning suggestions.

	Grout Joints	Tile	Stone
Routine Cleaning	AquaKleen™	AquaKleen™	Stone Clean & Shine
Heavy Duty (Grease, Food, Stains, Dirt, etc)	Grout Deep Clean	Heavy Duty Tile & Grout Cleaner	Stone Deep Clean
Grout Haze, Rust, Stains, Mineral Deposits	Phosphoric Acid Substitute	Phosphoric Acid Substitute
Surface Stains, Residues		NanoScrub®	NanoScrub®

These products, as well as a complete Tile & Stone Care & Maintenance Guide, are available at your local Mosaic Home Interiors Design Center.

• Do not combine ammonia and household bleaches
• Do not use harsh cleaning agents (such as steel wool pads) which can scratch or damage the surface of your tile
• Do test scouring powders in a small area before using on tile
• Do read and follow label directions for all cleaners
• Do keep these instructions and refer to them when necessary
• Do contact Century Tile for advice on any cleaning problems or if you have any questions

Natural stone bares nature’s many complexities and shows large variations in its absorption, density and hardness. These traits have an important impact on how to protect and preserve the appearance and beauty of stone. Much of the damage caused to stone is the result of using improper cleaning products. A regular maintenance routine should be established for sealing and cleaning the stone installation. It is NOT recommended to use “allpurpose” cleaners that list stone as “one” of the many surfaces they clean. Use pH neutral cleaners. Due to stone’s absorbent nature, it will absorb liquids and oils, causing stains, discolorations or irreversible mineralogical chemical changes. These changes are greatly minimized by having the stone treated with a penetrating repellent or sealer. Sealing will be determined by overall use, traffi c and cleaning protocol. The use of sealers is the sole decision and responsibility of the end user.

It is very important that close attention be paid to the condition of grout and caulk in wet areas. All tub/shower wall tile is caulked any place where two walls come together (90° angles) as well as where the wall tile meets the shower pan or bath tub. These areas are caulked rather than grouted to allow for the normal movement that will occur between the two surfaces. Failure to perform regular inspections and maintenance of grout or caulk in wet areas can result in water damage.

Century Tile, Inc. warrants the original purchaser that it will repair or replace any loose, cracked, or otherwise damaged grout or tile which occurs from faulty installation for a period of one year from the settlement. Century Tile, Inc. excludes from the above warrant, damage caused by the following:

• Objects dropped on tile
• Misuse or neglect
• Vandalism
• Fire or Flood

The original purchaser must notify Century Tile, Inc. immediately of any defects found. It is crucial to report any cracked grout or tile immediately and stop using the surface or shower area until repairs are made. Century Tile, Inc. will not be responsible for further damage that can occur due to negligent reporting and continued use of a damaged area. By nature, a void in the grouting is not uncommon due to normal settlement. Like caulking, grout should be periodically monitored and addressed. This would be considered normal homeowner maintenance after the first year.

Prism^® Ultimate Performance Grout sets a new standard in cement based grout technology. Prism’s calcium Aluminate cement based, latex polymer-modified formula offers consistent color with no shading, and it will not effloresce. The rapid setting formula results in high early strength and dense grout joints. A unique blend of lightweight recycled glass and fine aggregate sand allows for a smooth consistency that is easy to spread and clean.

• Uniform consistent color
• Won’t mottle or shade regardless of tile type, temperature or humidity
• No efflorescence
• No sealer required

Mosaic Home Interiors (www.mosaichomeinteriors.com) carries a complete line of cleaners for your tile and grout.

Century Tile, Inc. hopes you find these care and maintenance instructions useful in caring for the ceramic tile in your new home. Should you have any questions regarding the ceramic tile in your new home, please do not hesitate to contact us at (703) 941-3005.

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