How to Make Kitchen Tiles Last

How to Make Kitchen Tiles Last

The kitchen is probably the room in the house that undergoes the most abuse. From foot traffic to food residue, your kitchen floors and counters are used almost every day. That said, they are usually the surfaces that are replaced often compared to other areas in the house.

Fortunately, there are a lot of ways you can prevent replacing your kitchen tiles prematurely, and one of the most important ones is by employing regular maintenance:

1. Clean, clean, clean

Floors, counters, and laminated kitchen cabinets in places like Santa Ana last longer if they are cleaned regularly, as with many other things that we use every day. Here are some of the best tips to ensure your kitchen tiles are spotless:

  • Sweep and mop the kitchen floor every day to prevent the buildup of dust and debris
  • Clean spills immediately to avoid staining on the tiles
  • Degrease surfaces with a gentle cleaning product
  • Avoid using harsh chemicals to clean your tiles
  • Use natural cleaning solutions as much as possible
  • Clean grout regularly with a commercial cleaner or baking soda paste
  • Don’t use abrasive cleaning materials (steel wool, hard brushes) to clean tiles
  • Wipe down backsplashes after every cooking session

2. Employ specific rules

As mentioned before, kitchen floors and counters get the most abuse in the household. Thus, it’s only natural that reducing the level of impact your household has on these surfaces is the best way to make them last longer. Here are some of the essential household rules that can help protect your tiles against abuse:

  • No sitting or standing on top of kitchen counters
  • No wearing of dirty shoes inside the kitchen
  • Clean up spills as soon as they are made
  • No dropping of heavy objects on tiles
  • No putting harsh chemicals on top of tiles
  • No slamming of furniture on the floor

3. Do regular repair and maintenance

Aside from regular cleaning and the mindful prevention of damaging the kitchen tiles, it’s also just as important to do regular repair and maintenance. Take note of these essential tasks:

  • Regrout tiles as needed
  • Use a sealant to protect tiles and grout from moisture and residue
  • Fix a broken tile as soon as possible
  • Apply a top sealer to protect tiles and grout joints
  • Fill in a chipped or cracked tile if you don’t want to replace it
  • Polish tiles to prevent them from looking cloudy and unkempt
  • Remove stubborn stains with a commercial cleaner or homemade solution
  • Clean up gunk buildup in corners, areas behind appliances, and other hard-to-reach tiled areas

When it’s time to replace

marble tiles

Tiles don’t last forever, and if your kitchen tiles are nearing the end of their life, here are some tips you should remember when choosing new tiles:

  • Keep quality in mind instead of price, but stick to your budget
  • Choose moisture-resistant tiles
  • Consider porosity and tile hardness
  • Splurge on durable tiles that will last longer

Kitchen tiles are more susceptible to damage than any other surface in the house. Make sure they are protected by following these maintenance tips. Your kitchen and wallet will thank you for it.

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