Regular Cleaning

• A regular cleaning schedule for your traditional tile walls will make overall maintenance a lot easier. Simply wipe down your tiles at least once per week with a dish rag dampened in warm, soapy water. Use regular dish soap or a specialized pH balanced cleaner. Clean up any spills or splatters immediately before they have time to form a stain. For dirt stuck in grout joints, use a soft-bristled scrub brush or old toothbrush to work the dirt away. Rinse the surface completely with clean water after you apply any soap product as soaps can also stain the surface.
  
  

Stain Removal

• Heavy-duty stain removal from stone tiles can be extremely difficult. The porous stone tends to absorb whatever settles on the surface, so to remove the stain you often have to penetrate to the stone itself. Always try pH balanced, professional tile cleaners first to see if you can remove the stain without damaging the stone. It may be necessary, in worst cases, to use an acidic tile cleaner. No matter what, acid will etch or damage the stone surface. Follow all product instructions carefully to efficiently remove the stain and cause as little damage to the stone as possible. As always, rinse the surface thoroughly with clean water to prevent the soap from sitting on the surface.
  
  

Sealing

• Sealing stone immediately after cleaning is the most effective way to keep the surface clean. Some stones come presealed; most require you to seal them as soon as installation is complete. The sealant fills in the pores in the stone, preventing them from absorbing dirt and stains and cutting down on your cleaning needs. Use a stone sealant provided or manufactured by your stone's supplier so that you know it is effective. These are commonly applied with a paintbrush or roller and will greatly extend the life of your stone.
  
  

Other Tips

• Whenever possible, avoid acidic cleaning solutions. Also avoid abrasive cleaning supplies, such as stiff-bristled brushes, steel wool or powder-based cleaners. These will all scratch, mar, etch or otherwise erode the stone surface. Some stone manufacturers or tile suppliers make poultices, which are like pastes designed to remove stains from stones. These need to be applied and then allowed to sit undisturbed for a certain amount of time to draw out the stain; follow specific product instructions. Test any cleaning products, including soaps and poultices, on an inconspicuous area of the stone, if possible, to fully judge the damage it will have on the stone.