TIPS FOR CLEANING CERAMIC TILES

The cleanliness of ceramic tiles is an important factor to keep in mind for proper maintenance.

Ceramic is one of the most resistant and long-lasting materials that can be used given that, due to the low porosity, it’s resistant to moisture, heat, freezing, stains and chemicals. This makes cleaning porcelain tile flooring very simple.

The benefits of ceramic make this material the most appropriate for areas like terraces, kitchens, bathrooms and pools.

Theceramic flooring in a home, terrace or building in general are the places that most often get dirty, meaning cleaning ceramic tiles is necessary. Knowing how to clean ceramic stone flooring or remove scratches from flooring is essential to maintaining its qualities and preventing deterioration with the passing of time.

CLEANING TERRACE TILES

One of the issues that most often causes concern when it comes to proper maintenance is cleaning terrace tiles. Starting with the fact that the products for cleaning porcelain tile flooring are the same for interiors as exteriors, exterior flooring also has the handicap that it is constantly subject to the elements and changes in weather.

What’s more, in order to know how to clean outdoor tiles and what you need to do so, the non-slip C-3 finish must be taken into consideration as it’s designed to prevent slips and falls on wet floors which means the rough texture more easily accumulates impurities.

Despite the characteristics inherent to outdoor flooring, cleaning terrace tiles is quite simple and, as mentioned above, you just need the same products as for interiors: soap and water.

After sweeping or vacuuming the area to remove any loose dirt, it needs to be mopped. This is where the process differs a bit from cleaning ceramic tiles indoors as using a specific mop type that’s more resistant is recommended, such as microfiber mops. This type of material does not get stuck in the flooring (as could occur with more conventional interior types) and eliminates impurities more effectively.

As for stains that are difficult to remove from porcelain tile flooring outdoors, you’ll find specific instructions below with recommendations on porcelain tile floor cleaning products that can be used anywhere in the home, including interiors.

HOW TO CLEAN PORCELAIN TILE FLOORING

1. Proper cleaning of ceramic tiles is essential after installation in order to eliminate any residue in the joints and dirtiness in the work area in general. Porcelain tile flooring should be cleaned following any construction work when the grouted material has hardened yet not too long afterwards or it may adhere to the flooring, making cleaning ceramic tiles all the more complicated.
2. Using a slightly acidic detergent which does not release any toxic fumes and which is safe for the joints, material and users is recommended. type FILA DETERTEK PRO or similar. First check that the ceramic tile cleaning product does not affect the seams or ceramic material.
3. It’s also possible to do mechanical cleaning using specific machinery like a rotary brush with plastic tines as any metal could damage the flooring, or manual brushing using hot water.
4. As for removing white areas from a floor after construction work or removing tile cement, cleaning ceramic tiles with pressurized water helps eliminate difficult remains from any such work.

DAILY CERAMIC TILE MAINTENANCE AND CLEANING

For good porcelain tile floor maintenance, the use of a neutral detergent with high cleaning power is recommended. type FILA CLEANER PRO or similar.

For intense and accumulated organic impurities over time, grease, etc., it’s best to use an extraordinary treatment such as a degreasing alkaline detergent like FILA PS87 PROor similar.

Avoid using wax or oil-based detergents, which can increase the incrustation of any impurities and reduce the non-slip effect of the flooring.

It’s important to frequently change the ceramic tile cleaning water so no suspended impurities are brought back to the surface.

PRODUCTS FOR REMOVING STAINS FROM STONE FLOORING

Some stains in porcelain tile flooring just won’t come out using the most common everyday methods. Depending on the type of stain in the stone floor, whether porcelain or clinker, one product or another may be better.

This table shows the recommended products based on the type of impurity (grease, food, drink, tires, markers, cement, lime, metal scratches and rust, graffiti, candle wax, tree resin, sealing remains, etc.) in order to figure out how to clean stone flooring.

Important: Follow the manufacturer’s instructions on ceramic tile cleaning products for proper application, always observing all safety rules. Before using a cleaning product, check that it does not affect the seams or ceramic material by doing a test in an area not really visible. Once you confirm the product chosen to clean the porcelain tile flooring does not affect the material, you may begin cleaning the ceramic tiles without problems.

Adriana Solanas, Digital Marketing Manager

Olga Carela, Quality and Environmental Manager