| To clean the ceramic tiles is slightly different | | | | these products, and test the effect of the paint |
| treatment than wooden floors or marble floors. | | | | remover first in some inconspicuous place. |
| Here are some useful guides to clean the ceramic | | | | Another method is to soak a thick pad of cotton |
| tiles. | | | | cloth with hydrogen peroxide and place it on the |
| SLATE AND TERRAZZO FLOORS can be dusted | | | | stain, then cover the first cloth with a second |
| with a soft brush or vacuum cleaner and washed | | | | that has been saturated with ammonia water. |
| with warm suds made from soap flakes or a | | | | This is a good bleach. Repeat it several times if |
| detergent. Rinse and wipe them dry. If your floor | | | | necessary. Another treatment for paint stains, |
| is new, wait at least a week before washing it to | | | | which is good for ink too, is to combine one part |
| allow the cement to set. Spills can be wiped up | | | | of trisodium phosphate, one part of sodium |
| with a damp cloth. A wax finish (any type) can be | | | | perborate, and three parts of powdered talc. Mix |
| used to make slate floors dark and glossy. | | | | these chemicals with strong hot soapsuds to form |
| Terrazzo floors should not be waxed unless they | | | | a paste. Apply the paste to the stain, let it dry, |
| are "sealed." If sealed, they can be waxed if | | | | then brush it off. You may have to repeat this |
| desired. If your floor has not been sealed, the S. | | | | treatment at least once. Simply remoisten the |
| C. Johnson Company recommends its product, | | | | mixture and leave it on the stain. An application of |
| Cong-u-dust, sold through janitor supply outlets. | | | | hydrogen peroxide between the paste |
| UNGLAZED CERAMIC TELES, usually found on | | | | treatments sometimes helps. |
| bathroom floors, are easy to keep clean, but | | | | FLOORS OF COMPOSITION TELE (made of |
| always immediately wipe up spilled medicines, paint | | | | resinous binders and fibers) are non-absorbent and |
| or any other substance that might make a stain. | | | | resistant to moisture and stains. Use an untreated |
| Then scour the spot with an abrasive powder. | | | | mop to dust them and a wet mop, wrung out of |
| Unglazed tiles are highly absorbent and such stains | | | | clear cold water, for a routine cleanup. For a more |
| may penetrate deeply and be very difficult to | | | | thorough cleaning use lukewarm water and a mild |
| remove. Tiled floors usually can be kept clean | | | | soap or detergent. Rinse with a mop wrung out |
| simply by wiping them with a damp cloth or | | | | of clear water. Self-polishing waxes may be used |
| sponge, or water to which a softener has been | | | | on these floors, or finishes recommended by the |
| added. Scouring powder does not harm unglazed | | | | manufacturer. Do not use oil polishes, liquid |
| tiles, but it should be thoroughly rinsed away or it | | | | polishing wax, or paste wax, strong soaps, |
| will dry in the cement between the tiles; it can be | | | | chemicals, or sweeping compounds. Do not coat |
| applied with steel wool if the floor is very soiled. A | | | | them with varnish, lacquer, or shellac. |
| cellulose sponge mop will do an effective job on | | | | Slate and Terrazzo floors can be clean with |
| these floors, with a touch-up by hand in odd | | | | vacuum cleaner and detergent. For unglazed |
| corners. Un-glazed tile floors are never waxed. | | | | ceramic tiles you can use an abrasive powder, it |
| OLD PAINT STAINS on unglazed ceramic tile can | | | | can also keep it clean by slightly wiping them with |
| sometimes be removed with a standard paint | | | | cloth or sponge. Use the paint remover or tile |
| remover, or with "Tile Bleach," sold at paint and | | | | bleach to remove old paint stands on unglazed |
| hardware stores. Follow the directions given with | | | | ceramic tiles. |