Porcelain is a ceramic material that not only looks great as tiles, but also is extremely strong and durable because of its virtually non-porous properties—it won’t absorb liquids, at least not as easily as marble, a material we addressed in a previous article.
You can obtain polished porcelain tiles—made entirely from porcelain—that have a layer of glass added to the surface. This is used for protection, but it’s not entirely necessary. You can have tiles that are not “glazed” and polish your tile to any level of shininess.
However, sometimes this tiles get stained, and, definitely, they get dirty when the home inhabitants walk over them.
First Things First: Identify Your Porcelain Tile
Is it glazed or not? To know this for sure is a little bit complex. It’s said that glazed porcelain tends to have a complex design. In the other hand, unglazed porcelain tiles will all look basically the same—their design and shade are monotonous.
A good test is to drip water on the tiles and let it sit for five minutes. Wipe the weater off and see the tiles color: it remains the same as before? It’s glazed. Does it darken? It’s definitely unglazed.
How to Clean Your Porcelain Tiles
Common dirtiness is easy to clean, use your vacuum and remove any loose dirt and debris.
If your tiles are unglazed, vacuuming should be enough. If you have an awful stain on them, use warm water with a small amount of disinfectant added and remove it with clear water. Let it dry.
If your tiles are glazed, remove heavy stains with poultice, water, and a white nylon scouring pad. Instead of poultice, you can use a mix of vinegar and hot water. Don’t rush! Doing the cleaning by small sections is best. Rinse with clear water, let the tiles dry and seal with Pro-Solve 10.
Always test any cleaning product you intend to use in a small—almost hidden—area. If there are adverse effects, you can refrain yourself from ruining all your tiles.
Extra Tip!
Mix 1 tablespoon of ammonia with 2 tablespoons of Borax (laundry whitener) with 1 gallon of water (adjust the amounts depending on the amount of water used). Wash the floor with a chamois mop – not a sponge mop. Rinse the mop under running water in the sink—not in the ammonia/Borax/water mix. This next step is important—while the floor is still wet/damp wipe dry with a chamois cloth. Your floors will turn out absolutely gorgeous and shiny.
Let us know your comments and tips in the comment section!
