As with any product, tiles may be damaged due to abuse or misuse. Clean the tiles regularly so that dirt doesn't build up. Tiles are a great product, but they don't stay clean by themselves.

Always keep your tiles clean - the trapped dirt can be very abrasive. This sand and gritty dirt can damage any tiled surface.

Stiletto heels, spiked shoes and not using rubber stoppers under furniture will all contribute to damage.

Always use a mat or rug at the entrance to doorways.

Vacuum your floors regularly. Clean tiles with a damp cloth or mop and take care to use only a little detergent.

Tiles in kitchens, laundries and bathrooms need only be cleaned with a mild, neutral, soapless household cleaner, but only ever a few drops mixed in a bucket of warm water.

Never use an abrasive cleaner such as powder or gritty cream. These will cause minute scratches in the surface and make the tiles harder to clean the next time.

It is not necessary to use acids or strong chemicals on tiles. A drop of vinegar in the bucket can be a very useful cleaning agent. Never use polishes or additives on a glazed tile. It is unnecessary and will leave a build-up that will only attract more dirt.

Always take special care of gold and silver finishes. These are delicate and easily damaged and never use bleach on these finishes.

Regular maintenance will ensure your investment lasts a long time.

General tile maintenance

Movement
An important note on seasonal movement. As the walls of your home move against each other, the seal between the bath, shower base, basin and the tiles may be broken. This may also occur on the vertical internal corners. You may have a flexible sealant, but this can become brittle or come away with age and must be replaced to ensure moisture doesn't leak through.

This can have disastrous consequences. This is as much a maintenance job in a home as repainting timber surfaces.

When you see that the sealant is lifting away, replace it as soon as possible. To replace it, remove the whole lot, then thoroughly dry the joints using a hairdryer or similar. Wipe the tile faces clean with a little Methylated Spirits on a cloth and then simply reseal.

Grout Film
It may be possible that a very thin film of grout has been left on the surface of the tiles, making them appear dull. In this case, we recommend the use of Tasman Lift Off Cleaner. Make sure that you try it out first on a less noticeable area (behind a door or cupboard for example) to ensure it does not damage the tile and make sure that you rinse the floor thoroughly with clean water after treatment.

Scratching
Tiles can be scratched by grit, especially highly glazed ones. To minimize this, ensure a doormat is used just inside any exterior door. If you have highly glazed floor tiles in your bathroom, avoid walking on them with harsh footwear, especially stiletto heels.

Spares
One or two tiles in your floor may become chipped or cracked. Please make sure that you have kept some spares, as tile batches vary in colour and fashions come and go. So it's very unlikely that you could ever match your tiles up a few years later. Store them away in your ceiling space or shed.