Keeping Porcelain Tiles Fresh

There are many different types of porcelain tiles on the market that are used for the home and office building. There are also as many ways to clean these tiles to keep them looking fresh and clean. Compared to other building and flooring materials, cleaning porcelain tiles is relatively easy as long as you don’t allow dirt to accumulate or turn hard creating a stain which may be a bit difficult to remove. The good news is that to keep your porcelain tiles clean and fresh you can use common household items making it easy and affordable.

By definition though, porcelain tiles are resistant, but they are still susceptible to surface stains. There are also a number of porcelain tile cleaners in the market that are specifically designed to clean these types of flooring materials. They however may cost a bit much when comparing them to simply using commonly available household items. There is also the issue of unglazed porcelain tiles sometimes acquiring the color of the cleaning solution that is used. This may result in unsightly color marks on your porcelain tile flooring which can altogether ruin its visual appeal.

Some common household items that can be used to clean porcelain tiles include white vinegar, sponge mop, and water. You can also follow some of these simple steps to help you keep your porcelain tiles looking fresh and clean.

• For unpolished porcelain tiles, mix a solution of ¼ cup white vinegar and two gallons of water. Remember that this cleaning process applies only to moderately soiled porcelain tiles. The first step is to sweep or vacuum the dirt off the flooring material. This will help eliminate some of the excess dirt that has been trapped in between the porcelain if any. Next is you have to soak the flooring material with the cleaning solution you prepared. Make sure to mix the cleaning solution with hot water before pouring it on the floor.

  Allow the cleaning solution mixture to stand for about five to ten minutes without allowing it to dry. To make sure that you can adequately clean it before the cleaning solution dries up, do it in small portions of the floor at a time. If you think that stains are difficult to remove, you can use floor machines with abrasive pad. You can also use a scrub brush if the stain has not been that long.

  Use a damp sponge map to wipe away the dirty cleaning solution that was left behind by your scrubbing. Rinse the surface of the flooring material with cleanwater. Wipe away the water with the damp sponge map making sure that it is clear of the dirt that you have wiped away previously. You may have to repeat this process for heavily stained porcelain tiles.

• For polished porcelain tiles or what is also called glazed porcelain tiles, you also need to clear the area first. You can sweep or vacuum the loose dirt as well as dust from the flooring material. It would be better to use a dry dust mop for this purpose because it will allow you to handle the dust better compared with using a broom. Use a damp sponge mop dipped in the cleaning solution. Keep in mind though that the concentration of white vinegar and water should be half of that used for unpolished porcelain tiles.

  After treating the entire area of the flooring material, rinse it with clean water. Clear the water completely using a damp sponge mop. Dry the entire area completely to preserve the shine of the porcelain tiles and avoid water spots from forming. Remember to not allow the cleaning solution to dry. Unlike with the unpolished porcelain tiles, you do not allow time for drying when it comes to glazed porcelain tiles, rather; you have to dry it off completely.

• Textured porcelain tiles require a bit more cleaning compared to glazed and unpolished porcelain tiles. This type of flooring materialcannot be cleaned with regular wet mopping and should be attended to more periodically to keep it looking fresh and clean. Sweep or vacuum any dirt on the surface of the flooring material before anything else. A soft-bristle broom is the best to use for sweeping. Remember to sweep in two directions: the direction of the tile followed by diagonal sweeping. This will ensure that all foreign material in the texture will be successfully removed.

  Mix the white vinegar and water cleaning solution with hot water and stir. Drench the flooring material with the mixed solution and leave it on for about five to ten minutes. Resume by scrubbing the floor using the same two-direction method you used for sweeping. Rinse the flooring material thoroughly with clean water. Clear away the water using a damp sponge mop. To maintain your textured porcelain tiles looking fresh and clean it is recommended that they be scrubbed at least once a day in interval with wet mopping.

Now that you know how to clean your porcelain tile flooring materials, the key to keeping it looking fresh and clean is to do it regularly. Also keep in mind that there are some cleaning solutions that can actually damage the beauty and shine of your porcelain tiles. Generally, keep away from those that contain ammonia, bleach, or acid.

You must also refrain from oil-based detergents, sealants, and wax cleaners. Always put a rug at the outer entrance to prevent dirt from being tracked into your home. Steel wool pads may also cause rust stains because some loose particles may be left behind. Take care of your porcelain tiles to preserve that shiny look in your home or office building.




---

---

Write a comment

Name (required)

Mail (will not be published) (required)

Website