How to Maintain Porcelain Floor Tiles and Keep Them Stain-Free

No flooring material offers a hard-wearing and resilient finish more than porcelain tiles. The tiles are versatile since they can mimic different materials, including concrete, wood, natural stone, and even fabric. Besides, they are easy to maintain. Just like other flooring materials, porcelain tiles need regular cleaning and maintenance. Here’s what you should know about cleaning porcelain tiles.

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General Maintenance

Your porcelain floor doesn’t require sealing, polishing, or waxing. Sweeping dirty and debris from the floor and regular vacuuming will keep it in good condition. If you spot stubborn stains, wipe them off using a mixture of water and vinegar.

Wiping porcelain floors using a microfiber cloth also helps to maintain their original shine. It’s best to keep in mind that porcelain floor tiles come in different finishes. Therefore, they require different cleaning techniques.  

Eliminating Stubborn Stains

With continued use, stains will develop on a porcelain floor. When eliminating stubborn stains from a porcelain floor, it’s best to remember that stains differ. Thus, it’s wrong to use one tile cleaner or cleaning method for all types of stains.

In this regard, you should first evaluate the type of stain on your floor before finding a cleaning method and detergent that suits it. This will prevent long-term damage to both the grout and the tiles. When eliminating stains, it’s best to only focus on the affected area rather than cleaning the entire floor.

To restore the floor to its original condition, tackle the stained spots with a steam cleaner or hydrogen peroxide. Stubborn stains can get eliminated using diluted muriatic acid. This cleaning agent is mostly used in industrial-scale cleaning applications.  

Some of the cleaning agents you’ll come across can cause the grout to change color, thus the need to only use a specific cleaner for a particular type of stain. Also, wear eye protection, gloves, and ventilate the room when using industrial cleaners to remove stubborn stains from your porcelain floor.

Avoid Using Bleach, Acids, or Ammonia-Rich Cleaners for Regular Cleaning

Porcelain has water-resistant qualities thanks to the way it’s manufactured. The tiles are often heated to fuse the mixture. Although you can use acids, bleach, or ammonia-rich cleaners to remove stubborn stains, you should avoid using these cleaners regularly. The cleaners are corrosive and thus erode the surface of the tiles. This increases the tiles’ water absorption rate and susceptibility to stains.

The regular use of corrosive cleaners also erodes the grout. With time, water will start to seep beneath the tiles and cause dampness. Daily cleaning of porcelain tiles should only involve warm water and a damp cloth. Every few weeks, use warm water and a mild detergent to eliminate stains. Chemicals should only be used to tackle stubborn stains.

Detergents Should Be Washed Away Thoroughly

Your porcelain floor needs to be rinsed thoroughly after cleaning to get rid of any leftover detergent. It’s always advisable to use a mild detergent. If your tiles are textured, you may need a slightly more concentrated detergent.

For regular cleaning of porcelain tiles using a detergent, cover the floor area using the detergent and let it sit for about five minutes. After that, use a mop or damp cloth to clean the area. The cleaning solution shouldn’t be allowed to dry. Instead, use warm water to clean off detergent residues. This also prevents the formation of powdery marks and water spots.

Key Takeaways

Although porcelain tiles are durable and don’t get stained easily, stains do happen. It’s best to know how to clean grout and the porcelain tiles to get rid of stains. With proper maintenance, porcelain floors can stay stain-free for years to come.