If you have vinyl floors in your home as well as porcelain tiles, our guide to how to clean vinyl floors might come in handy. Be sure to vacuum in corners and areas where the tiles touch the wall. They're also easy to clean with just a few suppliesand they're things that you probably already have at home. Clean glazed porcelain the same way you clean ceramic tile. Michelle Driscoll is the Owner of Mulberry Maids based in northern Colorado. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. While porcelain is resistant to scratches, etching and stains, these surfaces are not damage proof. unlocking this expert answer. You should also make sure there are felt pads on the bottom of the legs of any furniture. Do not allow the stone and tile cleaner to dry on unpolished porcelain tile. This can be purchased from most home centers or through your local professional floor covering dealer. wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. Different types require different care, but mastering how to clean porcelain tiles is easy with our step-by-step guide. To clean polished porcelain tiles, follow these steps: Textured porcelain tiles have a slightly uneven surface, giving them a more natural stone look and feel. For that reason, Cantini says its critical to test a cleaning product on out-of-the-way tiles before using it to make sure your scrub pads dont scratch the tiles and the cleaners wont damage or discolor them., Cantini recommends starting with a soft, nonabrasive scrub pad and a good-quality alkaline cleaner like StoneTechs KlenzAll to emulsify and dissolve dirt, grease and grime. Select a product that does not contain polluting chemicals and is low VOC. They can be cleaned and maintained as you would any porcelain surface. I dont have personal experience using that cleaner but it should be fine. These spaces are often forgotten,leading to a build up of excess grime. Use this simple technique to clean stubborn stains and dirt off of unglazed porcelain tile, using either an alkaline or an acidic cleaner. Although it is by definition impervious (having an absorption rate of .5% or less), it is still possible for its surface to stain. Did you know, you can now order full-size samples of our porcelain paving? Glazed porcelain typically has a complex design or veining pattern that only happens with a baked-on glaze finish, says tile cleaning expert Troy Cantini. Do not scrub any tiles that are dry, as this could scratch the tile. Visit our corporate site. Scrub stained areas with a soft-bristlebrush. Cover an area of the floor with the cleaning solution and let it stand for about 5 minutes. 15 Totally Unexpected DIY Flooring Alternatives, The 7 Best Low-Cost Alternatives to Hardwood Flooring, 15 Good-Looking Ornamental Grasses to Spruce up Your Outdoors. Copyright 2022 Leaf Group Ltd. / Leaf Group Lifestyle, All Rights Reserved. Steel wool can also break off and cause ugly rust stains. Only clean the affected area. That way, you can make sure you've picked up all the dirt from all the cracks and crevices. Mop the floor and let it sit for five to ten minutes. Do not use ammonia, bleach or acid-based cleaners on unpolished porcelain tile, as this can cause discoloration. What Makes a Tile Suitable for Outdoor Use? Rinse the area with hot water and dry it with your towel or microfiber cloth. Stains should be treated in the most effective way to reduce any long-term damage to the tiles or grout. You can also open windows in the room and turn on a fan to dry the floor more quickly. Unglazed tile should be cleaned routinely with concentrated tile cleaners that have a neutral pH. Pictured: Quartz Twilight Porcelain Tiles. You may have polished or glazed porcelain tiles, unpolished or unglazed porcelain tiles, or textured porcelain tiles. Copyright PrimaPorcelain 2022 | All Rights Reserved. Rinse the floor with hot water in order tothoroughly remove the cleaning solution. If your porcelain tiles are in your bathroom, a quick wipe after showers with a bathroom squeegee should prevent any condensation build-up. In addition, do not use oil-based, wax or detergent cleaners. Did you know you can get expert answers for this article? Removing the surface dirt and dust will make cleaning the tiles easier. Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 104,504 times. % of people told us that this article helped them. Taking one section at a time (two or four feet square), saturatethe tile surface with a vinegar-and-water mixture or a commercialcleanser, such as Black Diamond Marble & Tile Floor Cleaner (. Unfortunately, accidents do happen, and major stains to tiles may need to be treated with a more aggressive approach requiring chemicals. 4 - Stain removal Not all stains are created equal. Then, scrub the tiles with a scrub brush or toothbrush and some hot water, which should get rid of any spots or stains on the tiles. Never use oil-based detergents or wax cleaners. I have a Hoover electric cleaner for flat floors. With the minimal care, your porcelain can easily have a decades-long lifespan. Keep working in small areas until your entire floor or wall is sparkling clean. Can I Use a Floor Steamer to Clean Slate? If you use an electric buffer, use soft cotton pads (no brush bristles). Apply a sprinkle of baking soda on the stain and then dampen it with a clean cloth. Once the floor or wall is clean, rinse the porcelain tiles with hot water and dry them off with your towel or microfiber cloth. Rinse with plain water, then dry the surface completely with a clean towel or a microfiber cloth. Never use steel wool on the tiles to clean up spills or to remove stains. You may choose, instead, a cleaner specifically formulated for porcelain til. How to Clean Floors: Wood, Tile, Carpet and Everything Else, Do Not Sell My Personal Information CA Residents. Picking the right tile should not be difficult. For cleaning textured surfaces, follow these instructions: To keep your porcelain til floors in tip top shape, also follow these tips: Hi, We just purchased a home with VRD08 Retro Bianca Porcelain floor tiles 24 x 24. Copyright 2022 Acton Media Inc. All rights reserved. Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. We tend to utilise the same cleaning method for all stains, but this is not the correct way to go about things. Prior to staining, the grout joint should be cleaned thoroughly to remove any dirt, oils, grease or sealers with a professional strength tile and grout cleaner. I love the floors but am having difficulty finding a mop that doesnt bind and stick on the texture. Regular, once-a-week cleaning requires nothing more than a simple sweep with a soft-bristle broom before vacuuming (with the brush attachment). To maintain the textured tiles, you should try to mop and scrub the floor daily, especially if it is walked on constantly throughout the day. Mop unpolished porcelain tile at least once per week with hot water and a specially formulated stone and tile cleaner. Grout needs to be cleaned on a periodic basis to remove any surface buildup. Driscoll received her Masters in Public Health from the Colorado School of Public Health in 2016. We are no longer supporting IE (Internet Explorer) as we strive to provide site experiences for browsers that support new web standards and security practices. You can also open a window or set up a fan to dry the floor. It may be necessary to rinse the floor twice to remove all the stone and tile cleaner. This will get rid of any detergent residue and prevent water spots or powdery marks. Woman & Home is supported by its audience. This article has been viewed 104,504 times. She began her career working as the features assistant at woman&home magazine, before moving over to the digital side of the brand where she eventually became the Lifestyle Editor up until January 2022. Dal-Tile does not manufacture installation products or countertop cleaning/maintenance products. This will ensure the furniture does not scratch or damage the porcelain tiles. Thank you for getting in touch, Im glad you had such a great experience with us! Make a home solution by combining cup white vinegar with two gallons of warm water. Never use steel wool to clean porcelain tilesmallparticles of steel can become embedded in the tile and grout, eventually causing rust stains. Every couple of weeks clean with a mild detergent mixed in warm water. If the tiles darken, theyre most likely unglazed. 2 - Avoid chemical cleaners containing ammonia, bleach or acids for regular cleaning Porcelain tiles are heated to fuse the mixture together, giving it similar water-resistant qualities to glass. If you want to learn techniques for cleaning textured tiles, keep reading the article! Porcelain tiles offer a resilient, hard-wearing finish for your floors. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. Here are 5 things you should know about cleaning porcelain tiles: 1 - Sweep or vacuum dust and dirt away Your first cleaning action should be to get rid of any dust and dirt that has gathered. By following these tips you will keep your porcelain floor in tip-top condition, and increase its longevity. Keep porcelain tiles spotless isn't difficult, but it can get tricky when the tile is stained or hasn't been protected or sealed property. This will ensure the cleaner does not stain or damage the tiles. If there are coffee stains on the tiles, you can use baking soda to remove them. My question is related to cleaning the tile since it is very textured and I have the tile throughout the entire house cleaning could be time consuming Oreck has an electric cleaner that has a brush to clean and a soft attachment to clean up the water after do you think that would be OK to use it certainly would save me time. This solution may also be used to remove localized stains on the tile. Don't use cleaning solutions that contain oil. Copyright 2022 Daltile. These cookies do not store any personal information. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. When dealing with stains only clean the affected area; do not use on the whole floor. Grout should be sealed 72 hours after installation. Do not use any oil-based detergents, wax cleaners, or sealants. The grout is sealed and cleans up but the tile is another story. Allow it to sit without drying until sealer residues on the surface soften. Support wikiHow by Both cleaners are available at tile shops and online. Do not let the cleanser sit on the tiles after 10 minutes, as it could damage the tile. By the DIY experts of The Family Handyman Magazine. , 5 Things You Should Know About Cleaning Porcelain Tiles. They are naturally resistant to spills, stains and moisture. Do not stay long on one spot, as this could damage your tile. Follow these guidelines on caring for unpolished porcelain tile, and you'll be able to keep your floors looking like new for years to come. Once the area is clean, mop the area with clean water. Rub the cheesecloth over the tiles in circular motions to buff them. However, you must be careful choosing the types of cleaners that can be used. This procedure facilitates the grout cure and helps it retain its color better. Spread the cleaning solution across the floor or wall to clean the area. Garage Floor Resurfacing: Fix a Pitted Garage Floor, How to Remove Paint from Concrete and Other Stains, Clean Garage Floors Remove Oil Stains From Concrete, How to Clean Carpet: Cleaning Tips for Long Lasting Carpet, How to Get Red Wine, Coffee & Tomato Sauce Stains Out of Carpet, We are no longer supporting IE (Internet Explorer), North American Tile Cleaning Organization. Now use a hot water-dampened mop, never allowing moisture to puddle or pool on the tile. Pick four squares and saturate the area with your mop, or a squeegee if you're cleaning a wall or kitchen splashback. Experience how easy tile installation can be with step-by-step tips from our experts. Never use hard bristles or scrub brushes, as they can scratch the tile surface. Sand and feldspar are added to create a denser tile, which is stronger and absorbs less moisture. Begin by wetting the floor with your mop or squeegee. For a professional option, use a cleaning solution from your local home hardware store or the cleaning supplies aisle. Make sure you sweep in the corners and between tiles. Cementitious grouts should be sealed after installation. Use rugs at outdoor entrances to prevent grit from being tracked onto the tile flooring. There are three types of porcelain tileunpolished, polished, and texturedand each of them requires a different method for cleaning. This will also prevent dirt from being ground in, which makes it more difficult to remove. The steel wool can cause rust stains to develop in the grout between the tiles. Be aware that these chemicals can lead to a change in colour of the grout. With some patience and discipline, you can make sure your tiles are clean and stain-free. Scrub the area clean with a soft bristled scrub brush, or a mild abrasive scouring pad. You will need to use different approaches depending on the type of tile you are cleaning. This can be done with a wet vacuum, instead of a mop, if necessary or desired. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. Go over the clean porcelain tile floor with a damp mop. Stone and tile cleaner can be purchased at local hardware stores, or home and garden shops. England and Wales company registration number 2008885. If porcelain surfaces are exposed to permanent marker or dye, rinse the area with water as soon as possible then apply approved cleaning product. Learn from the experts as they answers a wide array of commonly asked questions. Routine grout cleaning can be done with a daily concentrated household or commercial cleaner depending on the application. Both haze cleaners are safe for grout and tile but should not be used on natural stone. Sweep and vacuum debris and dirt, then go over the area with a dry dust mop. Rinse and dry thoroughly. On unglazed porcelain, never use any cleaners that contain dyeor coloring. Dal-Tile strongly recommends the useof safety glasses, respirators (masks) and gloves in handling any materials that contain chemicals. Dal-Tile provides the information on this page to its customers as an information source only. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Do not use agents that contain any dyes or colors on unglazed porcelain til. Youll need a soft, nonabrasive scrub pad and plastic gloves. It scrubs and then sucks the dirty water up. Can You Clean Tile With a Steam Carpet Cleaner? Once a month, mix 1/4 cup white vinegar with two gallons of water (or purchase one of the many suitable commercial cleansers) and apply the solution to the floor with a sponge mop. Can I use a steam cleaner on slightly textured porcelain floors to help clean the grouting? You might also consider professional grout cleaning companies. Delve into real women's inspiring stories, Look great and feel fabulous with our expert advice, Issues delivered straight to your door or device. Do not let the cleaning solution dry. Rinse with clean, cool water and allow the tile to dry completely. Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window), Click to share on Google+ (Opens in new window), How to Remove Tough Stains from Ceramic and Porcelain Tile, How to Remove 8 Common Stains from Porcelain Tile, By continuing to browse this website, you agree to the use of cookies for the collection of traffic statistics and to improve the quality of our website. Though it loses luster over time, anyone can learn how to clean porcelain tile and restore its original shine. Scrub the tile in a circular motion, making sure the tile is damp when you scrub it. Kings House Business Centre, Station Road, The Best Mocha Porcelain Tiles You've Ever Seen, Why should you choose porcelain tiles for your home? A penetrating/impregnating sealer that does not contain silicone is effective in grouts resistance to spills, stains and moisture absorption and can help it retain its original color better and decrease maintenance. You can also vacuum the tiles twice a week to remove any dirt or debris. The vinegar will help to disinfect, deodorize, and clean the tiles. Before we get into the specifics of cleaning each tile type, there are some basic steps to take beforehand. You may want to do a spot test by using a small amount of the solution on the floor to ensure it does not damage the floor. If you have concerns, clean only a small portion of the floor at a time according to the instructions above. Porcelain tiles come in a variety of colors and textures that complement just about any home, on floors, walls, and are often used on a kitchen splashback. Tiny pieces can break off and cause rust stains. Do not use ammonia, bleach or acid-based cleaners on unpolished porcelain tile, as this can cause discoloration. Amy won the Digital Journalist of the Year award at the AOP Awards in 2019 for her work on womanandhome.com. Vacuum and sweep the area thoroughly to remove dust and dirt. Heres why you can trust us. I would suggest trying a microfiber cloth mop, this usually helps with the mop sticking to the texture on the tile. Use your mop to apply your cleaning solution to a small area. Do not use steel wool pads to clean unpolished porcelain tile, as this can cause rust stains. Gently scrub the area until the stain is removed. Additionally, sweep or vacuum tile prior to cleaning to remove dust or debris. Use cleaning products and implements that are non-abrasive. Rinse thoroughly with clean water. Future Publishing Limited Quay House, The Ambury, Bath BA1 1UA. Porcelain does not require sealing, however, it is a good idea to seal grout or any joints. Use a product that is safe for both the tile and the grout. Email: customerservice@builddirect.com. This makes the tile more stain resistant and easier to maintain. Natural stoneproducts are porous by nature and require a different maintenance program than traditional ceramic tile. 3 - Completely wash away detergents When using a detergent, ensure it is of a low concentration. By Donna Boyle Schwartz and Bob Vila | Updated Oct 30, 2019 5:46 PM. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website. Don't use steel wool to clean your porcelain tiles. Cleaning unglazed porcelain tiles is trickier. Textured tiles may need a slightly higher concentration than other tiles. This type of product can be purchased from most home centers, or through your local, professional floor covering dealer. Fill a plastic mop bucket with clean, cool water. For tips selecting the right grout coloror hiring a tile installer, check out HGTV star Chip Wade's tips. Make sure you use the dust mop in any corners of the room and between the tiles. To clean unpolished porcelain tiles, follow these steps: Polished porcelain tile has a shiny, luminous surface that is easy to scratch, so take care to avoid damaging the finish. All rights reserved. Porcelain tile consistently ranks as a preferred flooring choice among homeowners, partly due to its beautythe material comes in a veritable rainbow of huesand partly due to its stain- and moisture-resistance. The vinegar will help to disinfect, deodorize, and clean the tiles. Travertine vs Porcelain: Which Paving Slabs Should I Pick? Start by scrubbing the floor following the direction of the textured tile. We have outlined key information to help. Does it help to buff porcelain tile floors with an electric buffer? Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website.