cement – cleaning + maintenance

a patterned floor created with clé tile cement rectangles in black.

how do i clean my cement tiles?

over time, a natural patina will occur on cement tile floors, walls, and other surfaces as they are wear naturally and develop a natural patina. but what to do when patina turns to outright staining? here are some guidelines:

• always remember that an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. immediately clean up liquids like acids, oil, and soap immediately–never leave them to soak.
• most stains can be removed with a ph neutral dish soap, hot water and the scrub side of a sponge. grout lines can be cleaned with warm water and a soft bristled cleaning brush.
• clean the surface using soft materials, like a cloth, instead of coarse materials. make sure that the tile is clear and free of any dust or loose debris by vacuuming and or sweeping the surface.
• always avoid harsh chemicals and acidic or alkaline cleaning products. for cleaning grease, oil, dirt, or dry soil try Stonetech Klenz All Cleaner.  If a standard cleaning doesn't do the trick and stubborn stains remain, there are a number of cleaning products from Laticrete that may help (depending on the type of stain).
• there are also a number of other cleaning solutions that target soap scum, mold, mildew, and more. see our resource guide for more information, but note that this will remove a micro-layer of particles from the surface of the tile, this will also remove any sealant that was used prior to the cleaning. the tile would need to be resealed after the tile is dry and the cleaning is complete. removing the surface layer can sometimes cause a slight but visible color difference in installations that have been in place for a while, as the product will remove the layer containing any patina that has developed, revealing the untouched “original” color below. We always encourage a test in an unobtrusive area first as a precaution.
• topical sealants will require periodic stripping and re-application of sealant— please refer to a professional for this.
• single coat reapplication of the penetrating sealant is required once a year in shower applications due to the continuous exposure to water. reapplication is needed more often if installation is in a steam shower. please refer to a professional for this.
• in the event that the above doesn't help you with staining, the good news is that cement tiles can be refinished just like hardwood or stone floors using a process called cement restoration. performed by a licensed tile/stone refinisher, it involves a process of wet sanding and then resealing your cement tile altogether. this can be a more costly and labor intensive process, but it's most likely to guarantee results
• for more cleaning options and information, please contact laticrete tile and stone care.

cement resources

for any further questions, please refer to our cement material guidelines.