South East England 7am–9pm 07863 778208 - HomeAboutServices Areas Our WorkReviewsContactRequest an Estimate Home - /Guides - /Guide # How to Maintain and Clean Your Tiles the Right Way Well-fitted tiles can last for decades, but only if they are cleaned with the right products and a little routine care. The wrong cleaner can etch natural stone, dull a polished finish or break down grout. This guide covers how to look after porcelain, ceramic and natural stone tiles, how to keep grout clean, and when it is time to call in a professional. Request a Free Estimate ## Know what your tiles are made of Before you choose a cleaner, check what the tiles are. Porcelain and glazed ceramic are tough and tolerate most household cleaners. Natural stone such as marble, limestone and travertine is far more sensitive: acids in vinegar, lemon and many bathroom sprays react with the stone and leave dull, etched marks that cannot simply be wiped away. If you are not sure, assume the more delicate option and use a pH-neutral cleaner. It is safe on every type of tile and grout. ## Everyday cleaning routine For floors, sweep or vacuum regularly to remove grit. Grit acts like sandpaper under shoes and is the main cause of dull patches in hallways and kitchens. Then mop with warm water and a small amount of pH-neutral tile cleaner. Too much product leaves a sticky film that attracts dirt, so less is better. For walls and showers, a quick wipe or squeegee after each use stops water marks and soap scum building up. Keeping the room ventilated, with the extractor fan running during and after a shower, helps prevent mould in the grout and silicone. Rinse with clean water after using any cleaner and dry polished surfaces with a soft cloth to avoid streaks. ## Cleaning porcelain and ceramic tiles Porcelain and glazed ceramic are the easiest tiles to keep clean. For heavier dirt, a stronger tile cleaner and a soft brush will usually lift it. Textured or anti-slip porcelain can hold dirt in its surface, so a stiff nylon brush is often more effective than a mop on these floors. Avoid abrasive powders and scouring pads on glossy finishes, as they can leave fine scratches. Bleach is best kept for occasional use on grout rather than as a routine floor cleaner. ## Caring for natural stone Marble, limestone and other natural stone need a gentler approach. Use only cleaners made for stone or a pH-neutral product. Never use vinegar, lemon, limescale removers or general bathroom sprays containing acid. Wipe up spills of wine, juice, oil and coffee quickly, as stone can absorb them and stain. Natural stone is sealed when it is fitted, but sealers wear over time. A simple test is to drop a little water on the surface. If it beads, the seal is working. If it darkens the stone and soaks in, it is time to reseal. How often that is needed depends on the stone, the sealer and how much use the floor gets. ## Keeping grout clean Grout is more porous than the tiles around it, so it is usually the first part of a tiled area to look tired. Regular cleaning with a pH-neutral cleaner and a soft grout brush keeps it fresh. For stubborn marks on cementitious grout, a paste of bicarbonate of soda and water is a gentle option on porcelain and ceramic. Black mould in shower grout and silicone is a sign of moisture sitting too long. Improving ventilation helps, and a mould remover suitable for your tiles can treat it. If mould has grown into the silicone itself, the silicone usually needs cutting out and replacing rather than cleaning. Grout sealers can be applied to cementitious grout to make it more resistant to staining. Epoxy grouts, often used in showers and kitchens, are much less porous and need no sealing. ## Products and habits to avoid Avoid acidic cleaners on stone, steam cleaners on some sealed stone and older grout, wire wool on any tile, and oil-based soaps that leave a slippery film. Do not mix cleaning products, particularly bleach with other chemicals. Felt pads under chair and table legs and good doormats at entrances go a long way to protecting a floor. ## When cleaning is no longer enough Cracked or crumbling grout, hollow-sounding tiles, loose tiles or water marks on a ceiling below a bathroom are signs of a problem beneath the surface, not a cleaning issue. Leaving them risks water reaching the walls and floor and turning a small repair into a larger one. If your tiled floor or bathroom has reached that point, James and his team can assess it and advise whether it needs a repair, a retile or a full refurbishment. Request a free estimate for work anywhere across Kent and South East London. Find out more about our tiling and retiling in Kent or see examples on our work. ## Common questions Can I use vinegar to clean tiles?Not on natural stone such as marble or limestone, as the acid etches the surface. It can be used diluted on glazed ceramic, but a pH-neutral cleaner is safer for tiles and grout. How often should natural stone be resealed?It varies with the stone and use. Do the water test: if water soaks in and darkens the stone rather than beading, it is time to reseal. Why is my grout turning black?Usually mould caused by moisture and poor ventilation. Clean it, improve airflow, and replace silicone if mould has grown into it. ## More tiling guides - Porcelain vs Ceramic Tiles: Which Is Best for High-Traffic Areas? - How Long Does Professional Tiling Take? A Realistic Timeline for Homeowners - Why Tile Is the Perfect Partner for Underfloor Heating Next step ## Get a fixed price for your project Send a few details and James will arrange a visit and a clear written quote, no obligation. Prefer to talk it through? Call 07863 778208, 7am–9pm. Call 07863 778208 - 1-year workmanship guarantee - Fixed price agreed before work starts ### Request your estimate Tell James about the job and he'll come back with a clear, fixed price. Typically answered the same working day, 7am–9pm. Premium tiling and bathroom refurbishments across Kent and South East London. Award-winning finishing detail, 7 years in the trade. - ### Contact 07863 778208 - jamesbutler195@gmail.com - South East England - 7am–9pm ### Pages - Services - Areas Covered - About - Our Work - Reviews - Tiling Guides - Contact ### Areas Covered Sevenoaks · Tunbridge Wells · Chislehurst · Orpington · Goudhurst · West Malling · Beckenham · Bromley · Maidstone · Tonbridge · Sidcup · Bexley · Swanley · Dartford · Petts Wood · West Wickham · Pembury · Edenbridge · Westerham © 2026 JB Tiling. All rights reserved. Privacy PolicyTerms & ConditionsCookie Policy£10m public liability insurance · 1-year workmanship guarantee Call James Request Estimate