There are two types of porcelain tiles: glazed and unglazed. The difference in their maintenance is slightly different because the unglazed porcelain tiles are a bit more porous and sensitive to harsh tile cleaning agents.
The best way to clean porcelain tiles is to do it regularly to avoid dust and dirt buildup and prevent difficult stains from finding their way into the structure of the tile.
Porcelain tiles are more durable than the ceramic tiles. They are made out of white clay, sand and kaolin, which are treated under great pressure and extremely high temperatures. With regular tile cleaning, you will have durable and resistant tiles that won’t require any special treatment for years to come.
However, the cost of tiling that involves porcelain tiles can be higher than that of ceramic tiles. This is definitely something you need to ask your tiler about. Get several quotes for your tiling projects before you commit to doing business with a tiler professional. It will save you from overpaying.
| How Do You Maintain Porcelain Floor Tiles | |
|---|---|
| Once a week | Wipe with mild detergent, mop and rug |
| Once a month | Vacuum with a hand vacuum, and clean the grout in detail |
| Once a year | Clean them thoroughly and apply wax if necessary |
You need to do weekly, monthly and yearly tile cleaning. In that way, you can be sure that both your glazed and your unglazed tiles will last longer. Small particles and powdery dirt may not stick to the tiles themselves, but they will find their way into the grout and make it look dirty and dull.
That is why regular sweeping is important, as well as regular grout cleaning. In the meanwhile, make sure that none of the stains are left on the tiles, because they can find their way into the tile, although this is not a common case with resistant porcelain tiles.
Here are the steps to tile cleaning your glazed porcelain tiles. The glaze that they have over makes them a bit more resistant than their unglazed counterpart.
This glaze is a product of a layer of glass that is applied to them during the last firing step in their manufacturing process. While this glaze is very durable, it is not indestructible, so caution is advised. Here is how you should take care of it:
As for the solution that you are using, make sure that you opt for a product that is not acid-based and do not use bleach. While the tiling will probably not suffer from it, you can damage the sealing of your tiles, and that can cause issues in the long run. Some people opt for steam cleaning:
With unglazed tiles, it is always advisable to have a couple of spare ones around so you can test your tile cleaning products on them first. You should vacuum them first or sweep them. Mopping with a mild solution is your next phase, but you need to make sure you have an alkaline-based cleaning product.
You should apply mild acid-based products only if the tiles are heavily soiled. Preventing such cases is exactly why the tiling needs to be cleaned more frequently. Always dry the unglazed porcelain tiles well, because they can get water stains and they can darken in colour when wet.
Since glazed and unglazed tiles are different in terms of their finish and endurance, you need to make sure that you are treating your unglazed tiling well and with care.
Before tile cleaning, you need to recognise which type of tails you have. While you should be able to make the difference between a glazed and unglazed finish, you can also do a water test and be sure. Let a bit of water sit on a tile for five minutes, and then remove it. Only the unglazed tiles will darken.
Clean the grout between tiles with the baking soda paste. This is made with one part soda and one part water. Mix them together until you get a paste-like consistency.
Apply the paste onto the grout and leave it be for 30 minutes. Then, scrub it thoroughly using a gentle brush so as not to damage the tiles. After scrubbing, rinse it all with clean water. You can even replace all the grout if necessary and put in the sealer instead of it.
Porcelain tiles are usually very resistant to most cleaning products. However, never use tile cleaning products without consulting the manufacturer’s label and the staff in the store.
While applying harsh chemicals, always wear protective gloves and mask and make sure that there is enough air circulation. Vapours coming from these cleaning products can be very dangerous.
Porcelain floor tiles themselves don’t need sealing, but there is a different story when it comes to grout. While you can apply a thin film of sealer to the tiles, as well, just to be sure that all the possible and invisible pores are closed off, you need to do more for the grout.
You need to clean and dry the grout entirely before applying the sealer. You should opt for the impregnating and penetrating sealer and apply it over the entire surface of the grout. Follow the instructions from the manufacturer’s label to learn about the exact procedure and the quantities.
Regular tile cleaning of your porcelain tiles will prolong their life and their fresh appearance. However, if the tiles are not installed well, you will see that both the grout and the tiles themselves will succumb to wear, mould and mildew.
Therefore, invest in professional tiling work. Ask for quotes to learn your tile installation cost and save money on future repairs.