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