Glazed porcelain tiles are widely used in most projects indoors. They opted for flooring and walls because of their aesthetic appeal and durability.However, these tiles need maintenance despite being highly durable and capable of being moisture-resistant and stain-resistant.
They need to be cleaned and maintained so they can keep their appeal.In this guide below, we have featured efficient cleaning and maintenance methods that you can use for glazed porcelain tiles and make the best of them.We also mentioned Exploring Techniques to Keep Your Tiles Clean and Maintained in the last article, hoping to help you.
Insight into Glazed Porcelain Tiles
Glazed tiles are created using clay and then subjected to a high temperature so that they can attain thickness and strength, followed by durability.Before subjecting them to the process of firing, the tiles are applied with a layer of glaze so that it may set during the firing process giving the tiles a glossy finish. Apart from adding glass to the base, this layer of glaze even adds resistance against stains and also makes it durable.
Benefits of Choosing Glazed Porcelain Tiles
Glazed Porcelain tiles have many benefits to offer, and some of these advantages that can be enjoyed with their installation are as follows:
Long-lasting Option
Glazed porcelain tiles are widely known for their exceptional long-lasting nature, making them suitable for being used in areas with high foot traffic. These tiles do not crack, break or chip off easily and can be used for years and years.
Resistant to Stains
The application of glaze added on the tile’s surface acts as a protection barrier which lets no liquid or other stain penetrate the tile and hence is suitable for areas where spills are every day, like bathrooms and kitchens.
Easy to Clean
There needs to be more clarity about glazed porcelain tiles, which are very difficult to clean. However, they are the easiest because their surface is smooth, and hence the dirt and spills can easily be wiped off.
Resistant to Moisture
Glazed porcelain toes have a low water absorption rate and are highly suitable for moisture-oriented environments. Therefore, they can be used in outdoor areas, kitchens, and washrooms too, because they do not let the water penetrate them.
Multiple Design Options
There are many colors and patterns available in glazed porcelain tiles, and therefore, no matter what tone of decor or interior you have, you can easily have it customized accordingly by choosing from the variety of glazed porcelain tiles.
Carrying Out Regular Maintenance
It is very important to develop a daily routine of maintenance and cleaning on the glazed porcelain tiles, and this may be done using the below-suggested ways:
Sweeping the Tiles
If you carry out daily sweeping on the tiles, the dirt and dust won’t build up on the tiles; this will allow you to maintain the shine of the tiles and create a neat and clean look. You can use a brush with soft bristles to clean this debris and reach the tile’s corners.
Vacuuming the Tiles
The loose dirt on the tiles can be cleaned using a vacuum; however, it should have a soft brush not to scratch the tile’s surface.
Placing Doormats at the Entrance
The placement of door mats on the entrance is also a perfect way to maintain tiles because it will minimize the dirt entering indoors. The shoes will be wiped off on the doormat so they won’t reach indoors.Also, guide people coming over to wipe off their shoes on the doormats before they enter inside so that they do not bring the dirt with their shoes and cause any damage to the tiles.
Attaching Furniture Pads
If you have heavy furniture, and it is moved now and then, it is recommended to attach furniture pads under the legs of these pieces. This will help reduce the damage on the tile’s surface when you move the furniture for setting change or cleaning purposes.
Cleaning Glazed Porcelain
When it comes to cleaning the porcelain glazed tiles, there is a way you can do it, and this will include taking the following steps.
Collecting the Essential Cleaning Material
Before you start cleaning the porcelain glazed tile, you need the right cleaning supplies. This will consist of warm water, a mild solution for cleaning, soft cloth pieces, a mop, and some buckets.It is recommended to opt for microfiber cloth as it is very soft and also has the ability to catch all dust particles.
Preparation of Cleaning Solution
First of all, mix your cleaning detergent with warm water in a bucket and mix well. Make sure you mix it in a suitable ratio so that the solution does not get too soapy, and it will be difficult to remove the soap in such cases.
Mopping the Tiles
If you are using a mop, dip that in the cleaning solution, and if you are using a cloth dip, after dipping in the solution, make sure to get rid of the excess solution and twist it so that it becomes damp.Now, wipe off the entire surface of the tiles using the mop, and you will get rid of the dust particles present on the floor or walls.
Never Use Harsh Chemicals
When you invest in a cleaning solution, make sure to buy a mild one because using abrasive cleanings may lead to damage to the glaze of your porcelain tiles and will leave patches of marks on the entire surface.
Changing Mop Water Regularly
The water you have in the mop bucket should be changed now and then because it is equipped with dust and debris, and using it repeatedly could lead to streaks on the surface. Hence, keep changing the mop water as soon as you find it cloudy.
Getting Rid of Stains
If your tiles have some stains and you need to get rid of them, you can use the below-suggested method for cleaning them.
- To prevent stains from being left behind on tiles, the most crucial thing is immediately wiping anything that spills on the floor. Use an absorbent paper towel and wipe it off so the stains are not left behind.
- Different kinds of stains will have different reactions on the flooring; some are organic stains which are caused by food or plants; they might discolor tiles if you do not remove them; some are pigments of inks and dyes and maybe stains left by grease and fats. You can clean them using a mixture of warm water and mild detergent for cleaning them.
- In case of tough stains, you can use a brush with soft bristles and gently scrub the stained area so that the stains can be removed.
If you still want to know how to remove scratches from glazed tiles? Please click here to view.
Maintaining Grout Lines
Grout lines are the spaces between tiles, and their maintenance and cleaning are also equally essential along with the glazed porcelain tiles. By maintaining them, you will not be able to improve their aesthetic appeal, but also you will be able to prevent moisture and mold growth in the gaps.
As time passes, the grout lines even develop some dirt and stains, and to keep them clean and tidy, you can make a solution with baking soda and water and scrub the grout lines with a soft brush.
Grout sealer application also helps to protect grout lines as it acts as a barrier and does let the dirt stick in lines. If grout lines have been damaged, you can use grout pens to maintain the same appearance.
Preservation of Glazed Porcelain Tiles in Long Term
To maintain glazed porcelain tiles in the long term, you can follow the below-suggested tips.
- In areas of high foot traffic, it is recommended to place mats and rugs to minimize the wear and tear on tiles. The rugs absorb the first, so the tiles stay in a good shape in the long run.
- If you have pets make sure to trim their nails timely so that the tiles don’t get scratched and stay intact.
- Glazed porcelain tiles are highly durable, but when subjected to excessive sunlight, they may end up fading. Therefore it is recommended to keep them in the shade either by having curtains on windows so that less sunlight reaches the tiles.
- Make sure the draining system in your bathrooms and kitchens is up to the mark because, in case of stagnant water, there is a chance for the mold and mildew to grow and some deposits are formed on the tiles.
- In the case of using very hard cleaning supplies or harsh brooms and brushes could also cause a lot of scratches to take place on the glazed tiles ending up damaging them and; therefore, make sure to avoid these supplies.
Conclusion
To ensure that the aesthetics of your surroundings are maintained in a pleasant way, it is essential that you keep your glazed porcelain tiles clean.This guide above would have been a great help to you, and you will definitely find them worth considering, so follow these tips when you are looking forward to cleaning and maintaining the tiles.
Click here to know:Glazed or Unglazed: How to Figure it Out in Porcelain Tiles?