• Floor Tiles tile care            • Wall Tiles tile care


Regular Cleaning Tips

• Floor Tiles tile care

» Clean and sweep your tiles regularly.
» To remove stubborn spots, scrub with a paste of bicarbonate of soda and water.
» Use just a few drops of soap-less detergent. Don't use abrasive cleaners
» Vacuuming is a great way to clean tiles. Vinegar mixed with warm water is a proven and natural cleaning agent.
» If you ever need to use a stronger cleaner make sure it is neutral i.e, non-acidic and non-alkaline.
» For soiled areas you can use an all-purpose household cleaner or a cleaner made specifically for ceramic tiles.
» Remove soot from kitchen tiles with a mixture of lemon juice and salt, then wash.

Cleaning Bathroom Tips

» Before cleaning bathroom tiles, run the shower on hot for five minutes to stream the dirt loose. For stubborn stains, apply a paste of scouring powder and water and let sit for    five minutes
» Scrub with a nylon scrub pad, rinse and wipe dry.
» To keep the grout joints on tile countertops clean longer, wash with a solution of 1-2 tablespoons chlorine bleach in one quart of water. Dry thoroughly, then apply an    acrylic sealer or three coats of lemon oil. Let dry for one hour between coats.
» Vacuuming is a great way to clean tiles. Vinegar mixed with warm water is a proven and natural cleaning agent.
» Remove mildew and make tiles sparkle by sponging with a solution of ammonia and water.

Do's and Dont's

» Do not use soap on tile because it leaves a film, which dulls the surface.
» Do not use steel wool pads or similar abrasive cleaning pads. Loose particles of steel can cause rust stains in grout.
» Do not use acid based cleaners. They can affect the colour of the grout and can cause tiles to dull. You should not use pure vinegar which is acid.
» Do not drop heavy objects onto the tiles . Tiles are not indestructible.
» Use good mats at doorways to keep out sand, which may scratch tiles.
» Use buffers under any furniture which may damage the surface of the tile.
» Tiles should be laid last for better results.

Fixing Wall Tiles

• WALL PREPARATION :-
The wall must meet the following requirements - Structurally sound, plumb and even, smooth and flat. Free of waxy/ oil films, curing compounds, wall covering, paints, etc. Clean and dry if tiling onto ordinary plywood or chipboard, seal the surface first with PVA adhesive diluted 50:50 with water.

• PREPARING THE TILES :-
Slight tone variation can be prevented from being a problem by mixing the tiles from several cartons before installing. This aids blending of shades.

• LAYING THE TILES :-
Apply a quality ceramic tile adhesive on to the wall evenly using notched spreader. Place the first tile right into the corner of the wall, applying the bottom edge of the tile first, then firmly putting pressure on all four corners of the tile simultaneously. Fill the area of wall which can be covered with uncut tiles. Leave for 12 hours. To fill the gaps between tiles already placed and the wall, measures separately each tile to be cut, mark the cut lines and score along the line in single firm stroke with a tile cutter.

• TAMPING TILES :-
Using a rubber mallet tamp the tiles to assure good contact with the thin-set.

• GROUTING :-
On the following day the grout is applied in between the tiles using a sponge or squeegee. Rub the grout firmly working diagonally. Gaps between the tiles and door frames must be carefully sealed with flexible mastic. Wipe the surplus with clean damp sponge.

• CUTTING CURVES :-
To fit up against a curved surface e.g. edge of washbasin, make a cardboard template of the curve, transfer it to the tile surface and cut a long the curve.

• CUTTING A HOLE :-
For a pipe to come through, measure the position which the hole will occupy on the tile surface, mark straight line vertically down the tile passing through the centre of the hole to be cut. Score down this line & snap the tiles into two. Using template, score a semicircle into the two cut edges of the tile which placed together, form a hole.

• TILING A WINDOW RECESS :-
To cut an 'L' shape, cut a line from the edge of the centre, then score at right angles to this. Lay tiles to window sill, placing the cut tiles closest to the window. Line up the tiles on the side wall with those on the main wall.

• FIXING ACCESSORY TILES :-
Leave space in the run of the tiles where accessory tile will fit and scrape out the adhesive left exposed. With surrounding tiles set in place, spread adhesive on the back of accessory and push it firmly into the space.

• DRILLING THROUGH A TILE :-
Cover the area to be drilled with masking tape, mark the position of the hole on it and drill with sharp masonry-bit using lowest possible speed setting.


• Wall Tiles tile care

» Clean and sweep your tiles regularly.
» To remove stubborn spots, scrub with a paste of bicarbonate of soda and water.
» Use just a few drops of soap-less detergent. Don't use abrasive cleaners
» Vacuuming is a great way to clean tiles. Vinegar mixed with warm water is a proven and natural cleaning agent.
» If you ever need to use a stronger cleaner make sure it is neutral i.e, non-acidic and non-alkaline.
» For soiled areas you can use an all-purpose household cleaner or a cleaner made specifically for ceramic tiles.
» Remove soot from kitchen tiles with a mixture of lemon juice and salt, then wash.

Cleaning Bathroom Tips

» Before cleaning bathroom tiles, run the shower on hot for five minutes to stream the dirt loose. For stubborn stains, apply a paste of scouring powder and water and let sit for    five minutes
» Scrub with a nylon scrub pad, rinse and wipe dry.
» To keep the grout joints on tile countertops clean longer, wash with a solution of 1-2 tablespoons chlorine bleach in one quart of water. Dry thoroughly, then apply an    acrylic sealer or three coats of lemon oil. Let dry for one hour between coats.
» Vacuuming is a great way to clean tiles. Vinegar mixed with warm water is a proven and natural cleaning agent.
» Remove mildew and make tiles sparkle by sponging with a solution of ammonia and water.

Do's and Dont's

» Do not use soap on tile because it leaves a film, which dulls the surface.
» Do not use steel wool pads or similar abrasive cleaning pads. Loose particles of steel can cause rust stains in grout.
» Do not use acid based cleaners. They can affect the colour of the grout and can cause tiles to dull. You should not use pure vinegar which is acid.
» Do not drop heavy objects onto the tiles . Tiles are not indestructible.
» Use good mats at doorways to keep out sand, which may scratch tiles.
» Use buffers under any furniture which may damage the surface of the tile.
» Tiles should be laid last for better results.

Fixing Wall Tiles

• WALL PREPARATION :-
The wall must meet the following requirements - Structurally sound, plumb and even, smooth and flat. Free of waxy/ oil films, curing compounds, wall covering, paints, etc. Clean and dry if tiling onto ordinary plywood or chipboard, seal the surface first with PVA adhesive diluted 50:50 with water.

• PREPARING THE TILES :-
Slight tone variation can be prevented from being a problem by mixing the tiles from several cartons before installing. This aids blending of shades.

• LAYING THE TILES :-
Apply a quality ceramic tile adhesive on to the wall evenly using notched spreader. Place the first tile right into the corner of the wall, applying the bottom edge of the tile first, then firmly putting pressure on all four corners of the tile simultaneously. Fill the area of wall which can be covered with uncut tiles. Leave for 12 hours. To fill the gaps between tiles already placed and the wall, measures separately each tile to be cut, mark the cut lines and score along the line in single firm stroke with a tile cutter.

• TAMPING TILES :-
Using a rubber mallet tamp the tiles to assure good contact with the thin-set.

• GROUTING :-
On the following day the grout is applied in between the tiles using a sponge or squeegee. Rub the grout firmly working diagonally. Gaps between the tiles and door frames must be carefully sealed with flexible mastic. Wipe the surplus with clean damp sponge.

• CUTTING CURVES :-
To fit up against a curved surface e.g. edge of washbasin, make a cardboard template of the curve, transfer it to the tile surface and cut a long the curve.

• CUTTING A HOLE :-
For a pipe to come through, measure the position which the hole will occupy on the tile surface, mark straight line vertically down the tile passing through the centre of the hole to be cut. Score down this line & snap the tiles into two. Using template, score a semicircle into the two cut edges of the tile which placed together, form a hole.

• TILING A WINDOW RECESS :-
To cut an 'L' shape, cut a line from the edge of the centre, then score at right angles to this. Lay tiles to window sill, placing the cut tiles closest to the window. Line up the tiles on the side wall with those on the main wall.

• FIXING ACCESSORY TILES :-
Leave space in the run of the tiles where accessory tile will fit and scrape out the adhesive left exposed. With surrounding tiles set in place, spread adhesive on the back of accessory and push it firmly into the space.

• DRILLING THROUGH A TILE :-
Cover the area to be drilled with masking tape, mark the position of the hole on it and drill with sharp masonry-bit using lowest possible speed setting.