Guide · Home care
Tile and Grout Care
A friendly, practical guide to keeping tile and grout clean, sealed and watertight, from gentle cleaning and stains to cracked tiles and water behind the walls.
Where to start
- Cracked tile or missing grout?
Take a breath. See if tile cracks or water gets behind it.
- Mildew keeps coming back?
Dry the shower after the last shower of the day and run the fan. Start the tile and grout checklist.
- Stone floors or counters?
Ask the owner what kind of tile you have. Natural stone needs a pH neutral cleaner.
The short version
Tile looks beautiful for decades when cared for, and grout quietly protects the walls and floors behind it.
Clean with mild soap and water, dry showers after use, and give grout a quick gentle scrub each week.
Avoid harsh scrubbers, keep acids off natural stone, and never mix cleaners.
Share cracked tiles, missing grout or hollow spots early, before water gets behind them.
Rules about repairs differ from place to place, so we’d gently encourage a quick look at the rules where your home is. If you ever have questions, we would love to help.
Four simple rules
- 1Gentle cleaners win
Mild soap and water clean most tile. Harsh or acidic cleaners can wear down grout over time.
- 2Dry what gets wet
Wiping or squeegeeing tile after showers prevents mildew and soap buildup.
- 3Cracks let water in
Cracked grout or tiles can let water behind walls and under floors. Share them early.
- 4Never mix cleaners
Never mix bleach with ammonia, vinegar or other cleaners. Use one product at a time.
Tile and grout checklist
From the guide’s own checklist. Tick each one as you go. Your ticks stay on this device. These are examples; your home may need others.
All done. Your tile and the walls behind it can stay bright and dry.
If tile cracks or water gets behind it
- Take a breath. A cracked tile or missing grout is usually a small fix when caught early.
- If another shower is available, stop using the one where water could get behind a cracked area.
- Keep the area dry, and avoid stepping on a cracked floor tile with sharp edges.
- Look for signs of water elsewhere, like stains on the ceiling below or soft spots nearby. Water coming through a ceiling should be handled right away.
- Take photos of the crack, the grout and any stains.
- Share it in writing right away so it can be sealed or repaired.
You did exactly the right thing.
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Go deeper with The Perfect Seasonal Home Care Checklist Workbook
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Keep the full guide handy
The PDF has everything: everyday habits, what to do when something goes wrong, common myths, helpful resources and plenty of real-world tips. Print it, save it or share it with anyone who could use it.
Download the PDFTake it with you
- Bunklow Home Guide 061: Ceramic and Porcelain Floor Tile Cementitious Grout Cleaning and SealingA printable guide to ceramic and porcelain floor tile cementitious grout cleaning and sealing, in plain steps.See it in the shop
- Floors, Walls and Finishes Checklist PackThe Floors, Walls and Finishes checklists in one pack, fillable on screen or printable.See it in the shop
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This guide shares general information to help you, and is not legal or safety-code advice. Please follow product labels. Bunklow does not inspect properties or make repairs.