How to Clean and Maintain Your Glass Mosaic Tiles
Glass mosaic tiles impart a certain kind of class and chic to any room where they are installed. This is because of their ability to add sparkle and shine to any room. They can make dull and drab rooms look brighter and livelier, reflecting instead of absorbing light coming from both inside and outside.
The glass mosaic tiles, however, can only add life and vibrancy to your room if they are kept clean and shiny. Like any other wall or floor material, glass tiles can look downright ugly when left soiled and grimy.
Fortunately, it is not very difficult to keep them looking like new. You do not even need special cleaning equipment and materials. Very likely, you already have them in your home –vinegar, spray bottle, soft bristle brush, and clean pieces of cloth. If you do not have a soft bristle brush, your old toothbrush will work just fine.
Since, however, it is has been repeatedly said that an ounce of prevention is better than a pound of cure, there are a few things you can do to prevent the tiles from getting dirty, starting with their installation.
Glass mosaic tiles, by their very definition, are small with sizes as tiny as 1″ x 1″. This means that there are plenty of spaces in between them that need grouting. While the glass tiles themselves are impervious to water and thus neither mold nor mildew can grow on them, this is not the case with grouts. If the room is not sufficiently ventilated, the grout can become moist and host molds and mildew. Bathrooms are especially prone to this. However, this can be prevented by using grouts that incorporate mildewcides. Be sure to specify this to your contractor or, if you are doing the installation yourself, your grout supplier.
In the bathroom, you can prevent soap scum and mineral deposits from hard water from staining the tiles. Rinse the walls after each shower to remove any soapsuds on them. A hand held telephone shower would make this quite convenient. You can also use a squeegee on the walls. A water softener would also help.
If you have done all these and there are still dirt or water stains on your glass mosaic tiles, bring out your vinegar. Mix one part each of vinegar and water and, using the spray bottle, apply them over the tiles. Allow them to soak in the solution for about 10 minutes before wiping it off with a soft clean cloth. For the grout, use the soft brush, taking care not to press against it too hard to prevent damaging it.
With these simple steps, your glass mosaic tiles will keep on looking shiny and new for a long time.