Cleaning Tile And Brick Walls

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Unglazed tile, tile grout, brick and some wood paneling are permeable materials that are a special challenge because they readily absorb stains that lodge deep below the surface. Glazed tile on the other hand won’t stain but its shiny surface can become dulled over time.

Here’s how to clean tile and brick walls:

• To get rid of soapy film on ceramic tile walls, wipe with an ordinary non-abrasive liquid household cleaner – either diluted or full-strength. Use a mix of 1 part vinegar to 4 parts of water as an alternative. For the toughest jobs, a mix of 1 cup of ammonia, 1/2 cup vinegar and 1/4 cup baking soda in a gallon of warm water may be even better. Rinse with water to remove all traces of cleanser once the tile has been cleaned thoroughly.
• In high moisture areas such as shower enclosures and backsplashes, stained or mildewed grout takes on an unattractive and blotchy appearance. To make grout look as good as new, mix a bleach solution consisting of 3/4 cup liquid chlorine bleach and 1 gallon of water. Apply the mixture liberally with a cloth or sponge. Scrub stubborn stains with an old toothbrush. Then rinse the stained spots thoroughly and repeat the procedure if necessary.
• To remove oil and grease stains from a vertical brick wall, such as a chimney face, use this special blotting technique: cut a piece of plastic half again as large as the stain. Then using duct tape attach the side and bottom edges to the brick to form a pouch. Fill the pouch with absorbent cement powder or cat litter, finally close the top edge. Leave the pouch in place for several days, opening it just enough to stir the granules from time to time so that fresh absorbent material is in contact with the stained brick at all times. Remove when the stain is gone.

And tomorrow we’re going to give you some tips on how to clean wood paneled walls.

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