HOW TO CARE FOR TILES POST-INSTALLATION?
A ready tiled floor and wall that has been properly planned and installed is an extremely strong surface especially if compared to other materials that are available in the market. However, it is always paramount to maintain the working condition of tiles by caring and understand the nature of the properties of the stains that are involved. With this knowledge, tiles’ aesthetic look can last a long time when proper steps are diligently undertaken.
As for cleaning the floor, try opt for pH neutral types for detergents as this helps in every step of the way by being gentle and mild to the tile surface (and its accompanying cement grout and tile bed that are alkaline-based in nature).
If acidic or alkaline solutions have to be utilised, do refrain from using highly concentrated acid or alkaline base agents but instead substitute it with mild diluted acidic solutions in accordance to their manufacturers’ instruction. At all costs, do not allow any ceramic products to be prolong exposed to any fluoride compound and its derivatives as it might etch and damage the surface of the tiles.
If cleaning with abrasive instruments (like metal scouring pads), do perform sparingly and very delicately especially on glossy tiles that are more vulnerable to visible scratches and dulling.
Certain types of dirt, like dust and sand, increase the abrasive effect from pedestrian traffic. Try to keep the floor as clean as possible, and prevent the presence of this kind of dirt, which is brought in from the outdoors, by placing a doormat at the entrance.
Ceramic floor tiles, unlike the porcelain tiles, are not “resilient”, which is to say that they have only limited resistance to impact. Care must thus be taken to avoid as much as possible the falling of heavy objects and to protect (maybe with a rug or a doormat) areas where objects may fall more frequently or easily like in a private kitchen where the floor area in front of the sink and stove.
The table below is provided as a reference to upkeep areas that are affected by varieties of stains
TYPES | STAIN | CLEANING AGENT |
---|---|---|
Food Category | Beer, Wine, Ice Cream, Ketchup, Soy sauce, Coffee, Tea, Juices, Coke | Alkaline based agents |
Oil & Grease | Vegetables, Minerals, Petrol | Alkaline based agents |
Wax, Rubber | Scrap off, then use solvent based agents followed by alkaline based agents | |
Lip stick, Shoe polish | Alkaline based agents | |
Paint (oil based) | Solvent based agents | |
Ink | Solvent based agents | |
Mortar | Acidic based agents | |
Rust stain | Acidic based agents | |
Market | Felt pen | Solvent based agents |
Methylene blue | Alkaline based agents | |
Crayon | Scrape off then use solvent based agents followed by alkaline based agents | |
Tile Grout | Cement | Acidic based agents |
Latex or polymer | Solvent based agents | |
Epoxy | Scraper to scrape it off |