How to Care for Porcelain Tiles
How to Care for Porcelain Tiles
There are many types of residential and commercial flooring available, each with its own set of positives and advantages. But porcelain tile is consistently one of the top choices among home owners, thanks to its overall beauty, numerous color and hue options, and resistance to stain and moisture. However, even porcelain tiles will lose their luster over time if not properly cared for, and regular care and maintenance is vital to maintain or restoring its original magnificence.
There are many types of residential and commercial flooring available, each with its own set of positives and advantages. But porcelain tile is consistently one of the top choices among home owners, thanks to its overall beauty, numerous color and hue options, and resistance to stain and moisture. However, even porcelain tiles will lose their luster over time if not properly cared for, and regular care and maintenance is vital to maintain or restoring its original magnificence.
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There are three primary types of porcelain tile floors: unpolished, polished and textured. General maintenance for each type of tile is basically the same, but if your porcelain tile needs a deeper clean, then there are important differences in care for different types of tile. Read on and let the folks at 1877FloorGuy help you get the most beauty and magnificence out of your tiles through our seven-step cleaning solutions.
Unpolished Porcelain Tile
Unpolished Porcelain Tile
- Sweep and vacuum the area thoroughly to remove debris and dirt.
- Saturate the surface with a solution of tile cleaner or commercial cleanser diluted according to product label instructions, doing so in small sections of 2 to 4 square feet.
- Let cleanser soak for 5 to 10 minutes.
- Scrub any stained areas using a soft-bristle nylon brush or scrub brush.
- Wipe the cleaning solution away.
- Rinse area thoroughly using clean, hot water and a clean mop or wet vacuum.
- Dry thoroughly using a towel or microfiber cloth.
- Sweep and vacuum the area, then go over again with a dry dust mop.
- Use a hot, wet mop to dampen the area. Do not allow moisture to pool or puddle.
- Mop area using an appropriate tile cleaning product or a commercial cleanser diluted according to bottle directions.
- Use a soft-bristle brush or old toothbrush to loosen heavier soil and grime.
- Mop area again with hot water before cleanser dries.
- Dry thoroughly using a towel or microfiber cloth.
- Use a piece of cheesecloth to buff the tile until it shines.
- Sweep the area twice, going in the direction of the tile the first time, then diagonally the second time.
- Vacuum the area thoroughly.
- Saturate the tile with a neutral cleaning solution. For hard to remove stains, allow it to soak for several minutes.
- Scrub the floor with a soft-bristle brush. As with sweeping, do so directionally and then again diagonally.
- Rinse floor with hot water to thoroughly remove solution.
- Go over floor again with a clean, damp mop.
- Dry thoroughly using a towel or microfiber cloth.
- Do not use cleaners containing ammonia, bleach or acid, as these can alter the grout color.
- Do not use oil-based cleaners, wax cleaners or sealants.
- Never use cleaners that contain dye or coloring on unglazed porcelain.
- Never use steel wool, as loose particles can cause rust stains in the grout.
- Do not use hard bristle brushes - these can scratch the tiles.
- Use rugs at outdoor entrances to prevent grime from being tracked in on floor.
