How to Clean Ceramic Tile Countertops

Ceramic tile countertops are actually easy to clean as long as you choose the right products.

These days, most people prefer granite (or a reasonable facsimile thereof) for kitchen and bathroom countertops. However, in some circles other materials such as ceramic tile have been making a comeback.

Ceramic tile is an excellent choice for a countertop in a vintage home, or in a design where you want a pop of color for your counters. After all, granite and other natural stone choices are pretty much limited to a neutral, earth-toned palette. If you want a bolder color, the best choice is tile, hands down. After all, ceramic tile has a nice gloss for an upscale look, and because it comes in virtually every color of the rainbow your design choices are practically limitless. Ceramic tile is also durable and well able to withstand the wear and tear of daily use.

One concern people sometimes have about installing a ceramic tile countertop (or buying a home that already has tile countertops) is how to keep it clean. In particular, they worry about cleaning all those grout lines.

The fact of the matter is, ceramic tile is actually very easy to clean. Here are some tips that will help.

Select Quality Tile & Grout: Many of the cleaning woes associated with grout can be solved by selecting a high-quality, mold-resistant and stain-resistant product. You will also want to be sure to choose a quality tile with a glaze that is appropriate for the wear and tear a countertop will face.

Protect: When it comes to cleaning, the saying “prevention is the best medicine” comes to mind. To avoid having your kitchen countertop get scratches or chips that could trap dirt and germs, don’t work directly on your tile countertop like you might with a stone countertop. Instead, use cutting boards. And in the bathroom, don’t place metal items like air freshener cans on your tile. The can could rust and leave a mark that you’d have to work hard to erase later.

Don’t Let Messes Linger: If you make a point of wiping down your tile countertops with mild soap and a soft, wet cloth every day, it will be much harder for any dirt to accumulate to the point where it starts giving you real cleaning headaches.

Use the Right Products: When cleaning a tile countertop, typically you want to select a penetrating tile and grout cleaner. This kind of product will get deep into the grout joints and is excellent for cleaning and brightening your tiles too. You definitely do not want to use any kind of abrasive cleaner or abrasive brush or scrubber that could scratch the finish on your tile.

Looking for Tile Countertop Design Inspiration?

If you would like to browse a selection of quality designer tile, stop by Mission Tile West’s showroom at your convenience.