How to Clean and Maintain a Tile Patio Table

 A tile patio table is easy to clean and keep, especially if you do regular maintenance work on it. You can keep your tile patio table in pristine condition for years to come by simply doing these easy cleaning and maintenance steps.

What You'll Need:

• Mild Detergent
• Oxygen Bleach
• Degreaser
• Acetone Stripper
• Natural Stone Cleaner (pH7 - Optional)
• Distilled Water
• Sanding Blocks
• Fine grit sandpaper or rotary drill and sandpaper pads
• Sealer
• Paint
• Paintbrush
• Mask
• Sponge
• Scouring Pad
• Cotton Cloth

Step 1 - Know the Tiles' Surface

Determine first the type of tiles used in the patio table. Natural stones, specifically slates, require gentle cleaning, while ceramic tiles must not be cleaned with abrasive tools that might scratch the surface of the tiles.

Granite and marble require some mechanical polishing to remove deep-seated dirt and polish the surface to level the scratches with the surface area. After cleansing, slate tiles must be neutralized with a natural stone cleaner, with pH 7 acidity level, to prevent discoloration after cleansing and chemical treatment. The aim here is to know the type of tiles you have and select the best cleanser for it.

Step 2 - Wash and Rinse

Prepare the detergent solution (or natural stone cleanser) by mixing the detergent with water. Dip a sponge and wash the tile patio table in a circular motion. Use a scouring pad for natural stones to remove hardened dirt. Stick with a sponge when cleaning ceramic tiles. Rinse the surface with water.

Step 3 - Disinfect and Degrease

Prepare the oxygen bleach solution. Using 5 teaspoons to every gallon of water will suffice. Apply the solution onto the table with a sponge or cloth to disinfect the surface from germs, and remove living organisms such as molds or algae. Rinse with water.

A patio table is a great place to eat snacks, so degreasing is a step that must not be skipped, especially with tiles made from natural stones that absorb oil and grease quickly down to their pores.

Follow the manufacturer’s instructions on how to use it. Apply it onto the table using a sponge or a cloth. Allow it to work for five minutes and then scrub or just rinse it off.

Disinfect the tile once a month and degrease it once every two months. Less exposure to chemicals such as bleach and degreasers can lengthen the life of your tiles.

Step 4 - Sand, Apply Sealer or Re-paint the Legs

Every two or three years, sand and apply sealer on the surface. This is to protect your patio table from moisture, oil, and acidic substances from penetrating deeply into the tiles’ pores. Sanding or polishing is like bringing out the new "skin" from your tiles, and the sealer serves as protection for the newly polished surface.

Source: www.DoItYourself.com

Keeping Your Outdoor Slate Tile Clean

Slate is a natural stone that has a beautiful grayish coloring and inherent durability that has made it an incredibly popular design material for all sorts of areas of the home, including floors, countertops, walkways, and even walls. But if you aren't keeping your outdoor slate tile clean, it's not going to look so hot anymore.

Though gorgeous when it's well-maintained, slate looks quite old and dingy when it gets dirty. Keeping your outdoor slate tile clean will be a bit of a chore at times but if you take care of your slate, you will always have stunning outdoor areas that other people notice and admire.

Why Choose Slate?

Outdoor slate tile is used in decks, patios, walkways, outdoor counters, pool surrounds, walls, and other elements found outside and inside the home. Slate is prized because of its looks and its durability.

Slate is a fine-grained stone, which gives it a very nice look and finish. The material is just a little bit rough, which means it is not slippery and less prone to getting slippery than other types of stone.

Slate has pretty natural coloring and it is a very deeply colored stone, which makes it stand out in outdoor environments.

But when slate is in an outdoor atmosphere, it can tend to get dirty quickly. Anything from dirt, dust, food, or pollen can make the outdoor slate look old and dull.

Cleaning outdoor slate tile needs to be done with care. Harsh cleaners can damage nearby plants or even be harmful to animals and it can actually damage your slate, so take on this task with caution.

Using the wrong tools or the wrong cleaning formulas can destroy the look of your slate, so it’s important to know how to keep your outdoor slate tile clean without causing it any harm so it will keep looking beautiful.

When slate is clean, it looks beautiful and it adds a lot of appeal no matter where it’s placed. It's a favorite choice for both outdoor and indoor home areas and the work that goes into keeping slate looking nice is worth the effort, because having slate does add value to property and it's a feature that can be shown off.

Keeping Slate Tile Clean

Keep your slate tile looking nice all the time with regular cleaning. You should do this at least once every couple of months, and more if you notice that the slate looks dirty.

When there's a lot of heavy rain or heavy pollen days outside, you might find yourself cleaning slate more often.

Basic Cleaning

To perform a standard, simple cleaning on slate, sweep or dry mop it first to get rid of grass clippings and other small pieces of debris. Next, add a few drops of standard liquid dish detergent to two cups of water.

Soak a clean cloth in this mixture and apply this directly to the slate. Rub the cloth across the slate in a circular motion to remove dirt and dust and buildup on the stone.

Rinse the slate off with the hose and allow it to air dry. This simple cleaning is standard maintenance that will keep your slate looking nice most of the time.

Performing Deep Cleaning

At least once a year or twice a year, more if your slate tends to get especially grimy, you will need to do some deep cleaning to keep the slate looking beautiful.

First, perform your standard maintenance cleaning. Next, add a little bit of teak oil to a clean, soft cloth.

Apply this to the slate by rubbing it in with gentle circular motions to cover the surface of the slate with the oil. You can use specialized slate oil for this task instead, but teak oil is both more affordable and easier to find and it works amazingly well to keep slate looking fresh and lovely.

You will see a difference right away after rubbing the oil on the stone, as this will bring out the natural sheen and make the color of the slate look even deeper.

The oil also helps to coat the stone with a natural protective barrier against moisture, because oil and water do not mix.

How to Remove Stains

Life happens and even durable stone is not immune to the dangers of the world. In other words, stains happen.

If you notice staining or discoloration on your slate, mix equal amounts of hydrogen peroxide and water in a spray bottle. Spray this solution directly on any stains on the slate.

Let the mixture sit for 10 minutes and then gently, use a soft scrub pad or sponge directly on the stain. Do not use steel wool or a stiff-bristled scrub brush, because these abrasive cleaning tools could damage your stone.

If your slate is tile and grout, be extra cautious so as not to get the hydrogen peroxide on the grout. The solution could end up discoloring your grout, which you don't want.

Facing a tougher stain? When hydrogen peroxide isn't doing the trick with water, add some of it to baking soda.

Mix the baking soda and hydrogen peroxide together until you get a paste-like consistency and slather this directly onto the stain in a nice, thick coat. Let it sit there for about 10 minutes and then wipe it away.

Hopefully, the stain will wipe away right along with the baking soda. Clean the area with plain water and a clean cloth.

Seal It

Keep slate looking beautiful and make it much easier to clean by applying clear stone sealant once a year. You will basically paint this on with a brush, though you have to work slowly and make sure you get to all the various contours of the stone.

You want a nice, even coat that covers every part of the slate.

The sealant will protect the slate from wear and tear. Though slate is a tough natural stone, it is certainly not impervious to weather and moisture.

After all, water can carve through any rock when it wants to. Slate is particularly sensitive to acid rain, so it's essential to apply sealant regularly to slate that is outside.

Repairing Slate

Though slate is strong, it can be scratched. You shouldn't drag furniture or other items across slate because this will cause scratches.

If your slate scratches, you can apply mineral oil to the spot. This can repair little scratches in stone fairly easily and it restores the natural sheen of the slate.

Put a little of the mineral oil on a clean cloth and gently rub it into the scratch in small, circular motions.

If you have a chip in slate, get an epoxy filler. You will need to find one in the same color as the slate, so you may have to use a little trial and error to find just the right shade.

Test the epoxy filler somewhere else first to get a good sense of its color before you apply it to your slate. Fill the chip with the epoxy and smooth it over with a small putty knife.

Let the epoxy dry completely before you walk on the tile. After the epoxy dries and settles, you may need to apply a second coat of the epoxy and repeat the drying process to get everything looking just right.

Slate Tile Tips

Keep some things in mind around your slate to keep your slate in beautiful condition. If you stick to a few guidelines for cleaning slate, you will keep it clean without doing any damage to the material.

Don't use stiff or metal cleaning tools on slate. Tools like this can scratch the material and damage the look of slate.

When cleaning slate, use a microfiber or a cotton cloth. Avoid using bristles on slate, unless they are very soft.

Mop tile with water and just a little mild liquid detergent, but don't use a soaking wet mop. Too much water will create little water spots that will make the slate look dirty again.

Always and only use cleaners with a neutral or negative pH. You do not want to use anything acidic on slate ever because it will cause damage to the stone, weakening it and even scratching the surface of the material.

Keep Your Outdoor Slate Tile Clean

Slate is a beautiful stone but it does require maintenance. Get into the habit of maintaining the stone regularly, and you won't have to spend a lot of time cleaning the slate and it will look beautiful for you much longer.

Regular cleaning with the right solvent and tools, regular coats of sealants, and normal maintenance will keep slate looking clean and beautiful.

Outdoor Slate Tile FAQ

Do outdoor slate tiles need to be sealed?

Slate tiles should be sealed once a year. This will not only give them a much nicer finish, but it will protect the stone from weather and stains, which will make it much easier for you to clean and maintain.

Use slate sealer specifically. Don’t use another type of sealant and definitely do not use wax, which will make slate very slick and dull the natural look of the stone.

Is slate tile suitable for outdoor use?

Slate is highly durable and does not damage easily, so it is used often for outdoor patios, walkways, counters, and so on. This is a popular outdoor stone and highly versatile, so it can be used for many things and looks good in many different ways.

Is slate tile high maintenance?

Compared to other popular outdoor building material options, such as granite and concrete, slate is relatively high-maintenance. Compared to outdoor materials not classified as stone, however, such as natural wood, slate is not so high-maintenance after all.

Slate does not need to be re-stained and will not rot away or suffer from insect or bird damage. It won't fade in color over time and, with the exception of catastrophic weather events, it will stay where you place it.

You do have to be mindful of slate and take special care of it, sometimes use special formulas like teak oil, but this is a long-lasting stone that looks beautiful and adds a touch of a high-end look to any outdoor area.

What should you not use on slate?

Vinegar is a common household cleaner that is used as an all-purpose solution, and it can remove dirt and stains from many materials. It can even remove sticky residue and glue from items that you don't want covered in glue.

However, you should never use vinegar or any acidic cleaners on slate. It’s important to keep this in mind at all times, especially if you're in the habit of reaching for the vinegar cleaner for everything.

Vinegar can damage slate, creating little scratches that destroy the finish and look of the slate. Avoid all acids, including citrus, when you're cleaning slate, because they can all weaken and damage the stone in this way.

In addition, acidic cleaners can react with the natural calcium in the stone and may cause a dulling or even whitening of the stone. The slate will develop a chalky look that is not appealing.

Stick to neutral and oil-based cleaners instead. You can even use WD-40 to clean slate.

If you’re unsure about what to use on stone, simply use mild soap and water. This has a neutral pH and it’s perfectly safe for your slate.

How do you keep slate tiles shiny?

Give slate a glossy look with a high-sheen clear stone sealant. You will apply sealant at least once a year as part of standard slate maintenance, so choose a glossy sealant and your slate will shine.

Keep the slate clean and treat it with oil after every deep cleaning. This will also help keep the stone looking glossy and fresh.

Source: www.DoItYourself.com

How to Clean Soap Scum From Ceramic Tile

If you have ceramic tiles, take extra caution when cleaning soap scum. Use a non-abrasive cleaner to avoid scratching the floor.

Cleaner

Using a non-abrasive cleaner is key. Spray it directly to the soap scum on the tiles and let it soak for 10 minutes before moving to the next step.

Wipe

After you have it allowed the cleaner to soak, use your sponge to wipe the surface. Repeat several times to remove all of the soap scum.

Rinse and Wipe

Once you are satisfied, rinse the ceramic tile surface and wipe it with a clean towel.

Source: www.DoItYourself.com

How to Clean Black Slate Tile Floors

Black slate tiles are natural stone tiles which will look gorgeous in any room in your house. Its anti-slippery surface makes it ideal for use in kitchens and bathrooms. Proper cleaning and care is necessary to keep them looking new for years to come. You can keep your black slate tile floor look new, with some basic floor cleaning methods.

What You'll Need:

• Warm water
•  Soft broom
•  Sponge or microfiber mop
•  Soft towels
•  Toothbrush
•  Dish soap
•  Cotton string mop
•  pH balanced cleanser
•  Baking soda
•  Small bowl
•  Wax or tile sealer
•  Vacuum cleaner with brush attachment
•  Sealer

Step 1 – Sweep Your Floor

The first step in cleaning a black slate tile floor, is sweeping with a soft broom. Sweep the whole room, starting from 1 corner to the other. Make sure you sweep away all the dust and dirt on the surface of the floor.

Step 2 – Vacuum Your Floor

Attach the brush to the vacuum cleaner. Vacuum the entire floor. Also, remove any dust or dirt that was missed out during sweeping.

Step 3 – Mop Your Tiled Floor

Now, fill the bucket with plain water, and use this to mop the entire floor. You can either use a sponge mop, or a microfiber mop to clean the floor.

Step 4 – Clean Your Floor with the Dish Soap

Add a little bit of dish soap to warm water and mix it. Dip a sponge mop or microfiber mop in the soap solution, and squeeze out excess water. Use this to mop the entire black slate tile floor, starting from 1 corner. This will remove all the dirt and stains which cannot be removed by moping with plain water.

Step 5 – Making Baking Soda Mixture

If there are any stubborn stains on the floor, you can use this mixture to clean it. Take a bowl and mix baking soda with a little bit of warm water. Mix the water and baking soda well and make a paste.

Step 6 – Clean Your Black Slate Tile Floor Using Baking Soda Mixture

Take a little bit of the paste on a tooth brush, and spread it evenly on the stain. Scrub the stain with the tooth brush. Leave it there for a few seconds, and wipe it off with a soft towel. Clean it again, using a damp soft towel. Remove excess water from the surface, and let it dry.

Step 7 – Clean Your Slate Floor Using pH Balanced Cleanser

A pH balanced cleanser can be used to remove stubborn stains. Use it according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Always remember not to use any acid containing cleaning products on your slate tile, as the acid will react with the stone and damage the surface. So, check the ingredients list carefully.

Step 8 – Clean the Tile Grout

Once you have finished cleaning your black slate tile, clean the grout using dish soap. Rub with a toothbrush.

Step 9 – Seal the Tile

Finally, seal your tile with a tile sealer. Add one or two coats as necessary. This will keep your black slate tile floor looking good.

Source: www.DoItYourself.com

How to Properly Clean Tile Grout Residue

Having clean tile grout is important to have a bathroom wall that looks nice. Once the tile is installed, grout is applied over the entire wall. It is pressed into the spaces between each tile using a rubber grout float. Until the grout sets and dries it can still be easily removed from the surface of the tile. It is not impossible to miss areas on the tile. Once the grout dries it will leave a grout residue or haze on the surface of the tile. You can clean tile grout haze and residue easily from the surface of the tiles and the following article will show you how to correctly do it.

What You'll Need:

• White distilled vinegar
• Spray bottle
• Water
• Green scrub pad
• Sponge
• Clean rag
• Baking soda
• Plastic bowl

Step 1 - Start Simple First

If you happen to notice a haze or residue forming on the tile within a day you can still clean the tile grout haze without chemicals. The simplest way to do this is to use warm water. Soak a normal sponge in the warm water and squeeze out the excess water. You want the sponge to be damp but not soaking wet. Use medium pressure and wipe clean the tile grout residue off of the surface of the tile. Dry the area with a clean rag and then run your hand over the area. If the residue was removed the tile will feel smooth whereas if there is still a residue on the tile it will feel somewhat coarse.

Step 2 - Use a Vinegar Solution

Vinegar is one of those household products that make for a great cleaner and can cut through grime and dirt. It can also clean tile grout residue. Fill a clean spray bottle with 4-parts warm water and 1-part white vinegar. Spray down the tile and allow the vinegar and water solution to work for a minute or two and then wipe down the tile with a clean rag. You can increase the strength of the solution by adding more vinegar. You can then clean the tiles off with pure water. If this does not clean the tile grout residue then you will need to use a stronger method.

Step 3 - Make a Chemical Reaction

You normally want to stay away from strong cleaners that you find in the store because some of them can eat away at the grout. They also are not very friendly to the environment and some can be dangerous to you if inhaled. They are always a last resort. This does not mean a simple chemical reaction cannot be used to clean tile grout residue. You will need a bowl, baking soda, water, and vinegar. Place baking soda in a bowl and add a few drops of water. Stir the water into the baking soda until it forms a smooth paste. Add water as needed. Apply the paste to the tile with a dry sponge. Fill a clean and dry water spray bottle with vinegar and then spray the area. The baking soda will react to the vinegar causing it to bubble and fizz. Once the chemical reaction slows or stops, simply wipe the area down with a damp rag.

Source: www.DoItYourself.com

Cleaning Unsealed Tile Floor Grout

Unsealed tile floor grout can be a challenge to keep clean. Depending on where the tile is located in the home, you might end up doing it more frequently than in other places. Floor tile adds a tremendous impact to the overall beauty of a room. The popularity of tile is directly related to the wide variety of different sizes, shapes, styles, and colors. While tile is relatively easy to keep clean, unsealed floor grout has a tendency to accumulate dirt, stains, and grime.

Keep Clean to Retain Beauty

As time goes on, and the tile is traveled on more, the grout will begin to collect dirt, mud, water, and stains that will drastically change its appearance. What was once a bright white is now going to be a dingy gray color. Cleaning the tile on a frequent basis, will help the tile retain its beauty and shine.

Clean Floor

Using a broom or vacuum, sweep the floor of any dirt and debris. You can also mop the floor with some warm water and mild dish soap. This will help loosen up any surface dirt and grime.

Test a Spot

Using a small area of the floor, test a small spot in the grout to make sure the cleaning products will work. Sprinkle some baking soda on the grout and then pour a little vinegar on it. It will begin to foam. Let it work for a few minutes. This foaming is a chemical reaction that will begin working on the stains in the grout. Scrub off with a small hand brush to see if it worked.

If not, apply some of the chlorine bleach. Again, let is set up for a few minutes and then scrub with a small brush. Choose whichever method works best on the grout. Chances are, the baking soda and vinegar will work just fine.

Spread Baking Soda

Sprinkle the baking soda on the grout lines throughout the room. Follow this up with the vinegar. Again, it will begin to foam immediately. Let this happen for a few minutes and then begin scrubbing the floor with the floor brush. Apply a firm pressure and work it back and forth across the floor.

Mop up the Floor Tiles

After scrubbing it until the dirt comes off the tile floor grouting, mop up the water and let the floor dry.

Steam the Floor Tiles

In the event that there is still some grout stain, use a floor steamer and slowly work it across the tile floor. Mop the floor again to clean off any dirt residue on the floor.

Bleach

If you opted for the bleach, pour it into a bucket and use a small hand brush to scrub the grout. Make sure you wear rubber gloves and eye protection to guard against any splashes. Once you have scrubbed the floor, mop up the remaining bleach and residue. You should have sparkling white grout afterwards.

Source: www.DoItYourself.com

Tile Caulk Cleaning and Whitening

Tile caulk is a rubbery material that is used to line the area between tiles and the edges of a bath or sink. Due to its frequent contact with water, the caulk can become moldy and discolored, giving your bathroom an unpleasant and dirty look.

Depending on the level of dirt and mildew on the tile caulk, you may be able to make it white again by following the process outlined below.

What You'll Need:

• Household bleach or bleach pen (grout and caulk repair pens)
• Old toothbrush
• Baking soda or white vinegar
• Bowl or bucket
• Rubber gloves
• Sponge

Step 1 - Assess the Situation

To determine whether the stains and discoloration on the caulk can be successfully removed by the following methods, you need to work out whether mildew is on the caulk or beneath it. If the mildew appears to be beneath the caulk then you will need to remove it and replace it. If the stains are on the caulk, then simple cleaning should get rid of them.

Step 2 - Try Baking Soda or Vinegar

Applying either a baking soda/water paste or vinegar/water solution is a gentle, natural way to start. Scrub your preferred mixture into the stains with a toothbrush. Let the caulk dry before moving on to the next step. Despite some popular but misguided advice, you shouldn't mix the baking soda and vinegar together. Their chemical structures will largely cancel out, and the resulting substance will be salty water.

Step 3 - Use Bleach

Applying a bleach solution to the caulk should help whiten the surface (though it won't necessarily kill mold or mildew, so if you suspect those are present, reach for a more standard bathroom cleaner). Put on your rubber gloves to protect your hands before mixing ¼ cup of bleach with 1 gallon of water. Remember to open the bathroom window or switch on an extractor fan to help aid ventilation. This is necessary to prevent the inhalation of toxic fumes. You should also use eyewear to protect you in the case of splashing bleach. Apply the bleach and water solution to the caulk generously, using a sponge. Leave the solution on the caulk for around 10 minutes for the maximum effect.

Step 4 - Scrub

Scrub stubborn stains off of the caulk with an old toothbrush. Try to do this gently or you might actually scrub the caulk off. Rinse the bleach and water solution off the caulk with warm water. If you're not happy with the results, try repeating the above process.

Step 5 - Use Bleach Pens

Bleach pens or grout and caulk repair pens are another option. They're easy to get hold of and provide a fuss-free solution. Simply press the pen along the caulk, leave it for 10 minutes to set in, and rinse with warm, clean water. Repeat as necessary and let the caulk dry naturally before allowing the area to get wet again.

Step 6 - Protect Against Further Staining

The correct application of caulk and using a mildew-resistant caulk during initial installation are the best methods in the prevention of mildew growth. However, adopting the following methods is also advisable to reduce the presence of this problem in your bathroom.

Clean the caulk regularly with a mold and mildew remover spray to stop the spread of mildew spores. Turn on the extractor fan or open a window whilst using the bathroom. Ventilation will reduce the humidity in your bathroom. Once you are finished showering or bathing, dry your tiles with a towel or cloth so that mold and mildew will have less moisture to thrive on.

Source: www.DoItYourself.com