| Ceramic tile countertops can remain great looking, if | | | | toobrush. Preferably not one you have used in the |
| you know a few simple tricks. When brand new, | | | | past, or plan on using in the future. While tedious, |
| ceramic tile has got to be one of the most beautiful | | | | especially if you have a lot of grout to clean, this |
| countertop choices you can make. The vast array of | | | | should work well for cleaning most basic stains. If the |
| choices these days in style and patterns, make it | | | | stains are still there, try using hydrogen peroxide |
| easy to find an appropriate tile for any taste, in any | | | | instead of the vinegar and repeat the process. If |
| situation. While the tile is great looking, it is also very | | | | cleaning dosen't seem to work, you can buy grout |
| durable, and almost indestructable. What is not quite | | | | stain from your local home center.The Last ResortIf |
| so resiliant though, is the grout that fills the gaps | | | | nothing above seems to work, you can always just |
| between the tiles. It will, over time absorb moisture, | | | | replace the existing grout with new stuff. Removing |
| and stain.An Ounce of PreventionOne of the best | | | | the old grout can be accomplished with either a high |
| ways of keeping the grout looking good and dry is to | | | | tech dremel tool, or a low tech can opener. Either |
| use a grout sealant. Any reputable installer, will be | | | | way, just be careful not to damage the existing tile. |
| sure to apply a sealant to all the grout they use. If | | | | Then, replace with new grout, as per the |
| your doing the install job yourself, be sure to use a | | | | manufacturers instructions.Broken But Still GoodThe |
| sealant. This can prevent a lot of problems and save | | | | only other big problem with ceramic tile counter tops, |
| time later. Most home centers will carry several | | | | is if the tiles themselves become cracked or broken. |
| types, but silicon based sealant is the best. If your | | | | Hopefully you or your installer were smart enough to |
| really the fussy type, apply two coats of sealant. | | | | keep a few extra replacement tiles lying around. |
| Three coats however would probably just be silly.Out | | | | Then it's just a simple case of replacing the tile. If |
| Damn Stain!Fear not, if you have have grout that is | | | | not, then perhaps the home center still carries your |
| stained, there are some simple solutions. Make a | | | | specific tile, or maybe they have some with the odds |
| mixture of equal parts water and vinegar, and grab a | | | | and ends of prior jobs. |