After laying your ceramic tiles, you will naturally want to keep them as beautiful as possible. Ceramic tiles require very little maintenance. After the first cleaning, regular vacuuming, and weekly mopping are sufficient. However, it is best not to use just any cleaning product for this. Let us explain how it works!
Cleaning Ceramic Tiles After Installation
Once the tiles have been installed and grouted, you should clean the floor after a few days to remove the cement residue formed during grouting. This residue must be adequately removed; otherwise, it will be impossible to maintain the ceramic tile floor properly.
Tip: Rent a wet vacuum cleaner. This will save you a lot of work.
The best results are obtained with a quick cement haze remover with diluted hydrochloric acid. Be careful with stainless steel, chrome, bare metal, wood, plastics, painted and lacquered surfaces. These acids present in these products are not suitable for chalky types of natural stone. If you have such types, make sure to use a good brand of acid-free cement residue remover for this purpose. Such products are usually less aggressive than quick cement scum removers.
Depending on the type and severity of the cement veil present, you can dilute the cement veil remover to 1: 4 – 1:20 and apply it to the pre-moistened floor. Ensure that the floor heating is turned off and that the ceramic tiles have reached their natural temperature. Allow the product to act for a few minutes while scrubbing the floor. Do not let the floor dry and absorb the contaminated water with a mop or, better yet, with a wet vacuum cleaner. Then rinse the ceramic tiles thoroughly with clean water.
Tip: Put a defoamer in the wet vacuum cleaner to reduce the formation of foam.
Maintenance of Ceramic Tiles
To maintain the tiles after the first deep clean, the best thing to do is clean the floor with a product that is as neutral as possible. You can look for ceramic tile scrubbing wax. This product usually has a double effect: On the one hand, it cleans the floor thoroughly without leaving a greasy film and, on the other hand, it improves the colour and shine of the ceramic tiles. Besides, it makes the floor a little more resistant to dirt. A good splash in the mop water is enough. You can polish the floor after drying it with a clean, dry cloth to give it a shine.
You mustn’t use a cleaning product with soap (green), or oil components, because these form layers on the ceramic tiles. Every fingerprint becomes visible, and dust, hair, and crumbs also stick to the tile. Dirt will easily stick between these layers, and in the end, your floor will look like it was never spotless, even if you have just mopped it.
Removing Dullness or Dark Stains From Ceramic Tiles
If you have that dullness on your ceramic tiles, it’s essential to remove it. You can look for products specially developed for fast and thorough removal of old and stubborn dirt, as well as old wax and polymer films. It is essential that the floor heating is turned off and the ceramic tiles are cool before starting. Depending on the type of dirt, you can apply the cleaning agent pure or diluted 1:5 on the ceramic tiles. Let it act for about 10 minutes, but do not allow the floor to dry. Then scrub the floor thoroughly and absorb the diluted solution with a damp mop or vacuum cleaner. Then rinse the floor again and re-absorb this water in the same manner.
If you’re looking for tiles for your new construction or renovation project, you can visit The Tile Gallery in Montmorency for an endless collection of tiles ideal for the kitchen, bathroom, and any other surfaces around the house. Do not hesitate to contact them!