The cement tile is especially appreciated for its artisanal side, a little old-fashioned and quirky, but very trendy. It fits perfectly into the contemporary style, whether for the floor or for the wall. Installed mainly indoors, its weak point is humidity and it requires regular maintenance if you want to keep all its splendor. These are simple actions to adopt on a daily basis that still deserve some clarification.
Hot water is more delicate to handle but works faster to remove the most stubborn stains. It eliminates traces left by grease, where cold water will have practically no effect, especially in the kitchen. Oil splashes and heat will form greasy stains on the wall and on the floor. If your tiling has not been cleaned for a while, you can add a drop of dishwashing detergent to degrease it and restore its shine, or its matte appearance depending on your cement tile.
When you clean your tile, do not use conventional detergents which are, most of the time, too acidic. They attack and end up tarnishing your beautiful tiles. Just use water to maintain shine, colors and patterns. It is the same for everything that is lemon or white vinegar. If they are effective on ceramic tiles, they are the worst enemies of cement tiles which, unlike the first, have not been baked. Simply pass the mop or a damp sponge, preferably always wet with hot water. If you still have to use a cleaning product, make sure it is gentle enough, such as Marseille soap. Black soap will be perfect. In any case, take a product with a neutral pH, neither acidic nor basic. The ideal would be a product enriched with linseed oil to restore the patina of the tile. You must then rinse thoroughly with water so that the product does not clog and weaken your tiles.
One of the specificities of this type of tile is its porosity. The dirt will become deeply embedded in your patterns, making cleaning more difficult. To avoid this, you must pass a layer of wax, so that nothing sticks to it. But if the wax will restore shine and protection, it will also make your floor more slippery. You will need to apply a very thin layer. You can do the waxing every day if you have the time, but a weekly or bi-weekly frequency will also do the trick.
These tips are intended for the daily maintenance of your cement tile. But there are also periodic maintenance absolutely necessary for their durability. The water-repellent treatment is mandatory so that the floor and the wall remain waterproof, whether in the bathroom, the kitchen or the living room. You can also clean well-treated tiles more easily. This operation must be repeated every eight or ten years.
