Tile School: How to Avoid Staining Your Tile

If you've chosen a light colored tile and a darker grout, it is important that you take the necessary steps to avoid staining it during the installation. Our tile is typically resistant to staining during the grouting process due to its smooth surface, and pre-sealed crackle glazes, however, there is always a chance of staining with a light tile that has crazing. Not sure if you're tile needs added protection? Don't hesitate to contact us with any questions, but we're sharing three tips to avoid staining during the installation process below: 

Here's an example of a light tile with a darker colored grout for reference:

Tile Shown: Ogee Drops in White Wash.

1. Careful when Cutting!
If you've chosen a light colored tile, make sure that you or your installer is using a clean tile when cuts are being made. If you notice your tile has been stained, you can soak it in water to remove any staining. You can also opt to cover your tile in blue painter's tape while making cuts if you want to be extra safe.

Image: Stains you want to avoid! This type of staining can occur from a dirty tile saw or a darker grout.

2. Use Grout Release
A darker grout color with a light colored tile is a great way to highlight a shape or pattern, but you do need to be careful during installation. Using Grout Release can keep your tile safe and stain free. Grout release is a removable, water soluble surface coating that is used to protect tile from staining when using a colored grout. It also makes grout clean up a little bit easier.

Some of our tile colors have crazing (aka crackle) like Aqua, shown below. A dark grout will inevitably get into those tiny cracks and stain your tile.

Tile Shown: Aqua

You should also use grout release if you are using one of our handpainted tiles that has a light dryline like in the image below:

Tile Shown: Starburst in Peacock with a White Dryline. If you are opting for a darker grout, you'll want to use grout release.

White tile and a dark grout will always pose a risk for staining; for an install like the one below careful cutting and grout release would be key to avoid staining. 

Tile Shown: Small Diamonds in White Wash 

3. Grout Color
The safest bet to avoid stains is to choose a grout color that isn't heavily pigmented when using a lighter colored tile, especially if it has crazing. 

The white tile floor below is grouted with a light gray (perfect for a floor), which is a safe choice that still allow the shape to pop: 

Tile Shown: Ogee Drops in Calcite

White grout will always be the best to avoid staining with a lightly colored tile: 

Tile Shown: 4" Hexagons in Aqua 

Like any of the featured tile colors? Order samples online now. Still have questions about grout release? Simply call, chat, or fill out our Design Assistance Form and one of our talented Design Consultants will get back to you shortly.