Counter Tops
Kitchen counters get oil, mild acids and every color of staining material imaginable on a daily basis, so picking a good tile, grout and sealer, as well as getting a good installation are very important. The larger the tile and the smaller the grout joint, the easier it will be to keep a counter looking like new. Medium colors and a little texture are also easier to keep looking good, dark shiny tiles will show streaks. Finally, white grout will almost certainly discolor over time in a kitchen, a little color will make your life easier. If you follow these simple rules you can have tile counters that are not only beautiful and long lasting, but easy to maintain as well.
Floor rated tiles are recommended for kitchen counters because they are impact and scratch resistant.
Avoid rough textures-they will make cleaning more difficult. With good tile and small sealed grout joints, a clean dishrag will clean off nearly anything. Use soap for greasy spills and then rinse out the dishrag and remove the residue. Dark tiles will require a pass with a dry towel to remove water streaks. After preparing meat, fish or poultry, it's good to use a highly diluted bleach solution to kill bacteria on counters and breadboards. When you see grout joints begin to darken when they get wet, it's time to re-seal them. With a good sealer, once very few months will be as often as needed.
Walls: In tub and shower areas avoid dark grout colors as shampoo will cause them to turn whitish. After showering, rinse off the walls with clear water. Soap scum and body oils will rinse of easily before they dry but will be hard to clean if they build up. Occasional cleaning with a neutral cleaner will keep things looking good with minimal effort. If soap and body oils do build up and regular cleaning does not remove it, products like Scrub Free will dissolve them for a one-time cleaning but regular use will severely damage grout.
The best way to prevent mold and mildew is to use an exhaust fan during and after showers and keep shower doors open. With constant heat and moisture, mold will grow on anything, but good ventilation and a fairly simple cleaning schedule will usually keep it from being a problem. Sealing the grout will help keep mold out and occasional bleach- based cleaners can be used, but repeated use of bleach will also lead to grout damage over time. Using exhaust fans will also help prevent mold growing in other places, including your attic and in your walls, so make them a priority and make your life easier.