Porcelain tiles are known for their extreme durability and low maintenance. Although all of our porcelain tiles are liquid and stain resistant, there are several measures you can take to restore their original shine. Your porcelain designer tiles will last a life time, if you use them as recommended and maintain them well. The initial cost when installing your porcelain tiles may be higher compared to other types of tiles, but it’s an investment worth making. You will no longer have the added cost of removing and replacing them after several years.
There are some general maintenance tips and tricks that will help keep your tiles in top shape. It is important to make a distinction between glazed and unglazed porcelain tiles. Below we provide cleaning tips for both types of porcelain tiles and some general cleaning tips.
UNGLAZED OR UNPOLISHED PORCELAIN DESIGNER TILES
Both glazed and unglazed tiles are made the same. The only difference is a glass layer called a glaze. The glazed tile has a glass layer that gets fused to its surface using an immense heat. Due to the lack of a coating, unglazed porcelain tiles are less resistant to staining. Over time, some staining and discolorations could appear. You can easily prevent this from happening by following these tips. Before you get started, keep the following tings in mind:
• Always clean small areas at a time, such as two or four feet squares. This goes for every step we describe in this article.
• Test a cleaning product on unused tiles. This way you make sure your scrub pads don’t scratch the tiles and the cleaning product will not damage or discolor them.
You can clean your unglazed porcelain designer tiles by following the next five steps.
• Vacuum and sweep the area exhaustively. You want to remove all dust and dirt from your porcelain designer tiles.
• Saturate the floor with hot water and a cleaning solution. If you don’t want to leave any chemical residue on your floors, you can use a vinegar-and-water mixture. Allow the cleaning solution or vinegar-and-water mixture to stand on the floor for five to ten minutes. You should never allow it to dry because these tiles are more prone to water penetration than other materials.
• If you have tenacious stains, use a soft bristle brush to scrub in the cleaning solution.
• Wipe away the dirty cleaning solution. Rinse the area with clean, hot water with a mop or a wet vacuum.
• Allow the tiles to dry or dry them with a clean towel or a microfiber cloth.
Another cleaning tip with long-term cleaning benefits is an annually sealing treatment for your unglazed porcelain tiles. The sealer will prevent dirt and contaminates from getting in the porous porcelain tiles. Additionally, the sealer helps to keep the grout from getting dirty and stained.
GLAZED OR POLISHED PORCELAIN DESIGNER TILES
Glazed or polished tiles have a thin protective layer on their surface. The polished tiles are treated with a melted glass gaze which is then poured over the surface of the tile. Due to this, the tiles are impervious to water penetration and most stains. These factors make it easier to maintain these porcelain tiles.
You can clean your unglazed porcelain designer tiles by following the next five steps.
• Sweep or vacuum dirt and dust from the floor. We advise you to use a dry dust mop instead of a broom.
• Mop the floor with a mild cleaning solution or a vinegar-and-water mixture. Do not let moisture puddle or pool on the tile.
• Mop again with clean and clear, hot water before the cleanser dries
• Dry the tile carefully with a clean towel or a microfiber cloth.
• Increase the shine by rubbing out any water spots. To create a high shine you can clean the porcelain tile with a piece of cheesecloth.
GENERAL CLEANING AND MAINTENANCE TIPS
To keep your unique porcelain designer tiles in optimal condition you should clean them regularly. We advise you to clean them as often as two times per week. This way, you prevent your tiles from wearing out due to small sand particles. Start by using a soft-bristle broom to sweep the tiles and vacuum them with the brush attachment. Then, mop the porcelain tiles once a month with a vinegar-and-water mixture or a suitable commercial cleanser. Last but not least, wipe up stains as soon as possible. Although these tiles are resistant, if stains stay on the tiles for too long they will shade slightly.
SS TILE & STONE | DISCOUNT PORCELAIN TILES IN TORONTO & GTA
SS Tile & Stone is a trusted retailer and supplier of wholesale unique porcelain designer tiles. We are located in Etobicoke, Ontario and sell our beautiful porcelain tiles at discount prices. We service clients in Toronto, Mississauga, Etobicoke and throughout the GTA. We strive to achieve the highest quality, service and value each time we work together with you. We look forward to showing you our beautiful porcelain tiles and demonstrating how passionate we are about our products. Please visit our website to learn more about us and feel free to contact us with any of your questions
