How to clean a porcelain tile floor: how to keep it spotless

Cleaning porcelain floor tiles is essential to preserve their appearance and durability. Although porcelain stoneware is one of the most resistant materials to traffic, knocks and stains, regular (and simple) maintenance will keep it looking as good as new for much longer. Even more so if we take into account that installed as flooring it will be exposed to more wear and tear than as cladding.

Cleaning porcelain tiles after installation is essential

Cleaning your porcelain floor starts when the tiles are laid. This is the time to remove residue to prevent grout and dust from sticking to the tiles. This is especially true if the floor is being laid outdoors, where the material is more exposed to the elements.

The first step is to remove excess grout with a sponge moistened with water before it dries. At the end of the work, the last residues from the laying of the tiles are cleaned. With so much residue, careful cleaning is necessary to avoid damaging the pieces. This process is simplified in the case of large-size porcelain tiles, as the number of joints is greatly reduced.

It is recommended that the floor is thoroughly cleaned with plenty of water to avoid accidentally scratching the floor. As porcelain is a very non-porous material, water and moisture will not be a problem. After this first pass, we can begin to apply chemical products, but we must pay particular attention to their composition. The reason for this is that we must avoid using products that are too aggressive, both for the sake of the floor and for the sake of the furniture. As the safest way is to get advice from the salesman himself, Apavisa will give you some options. In any case, the product must be professional and must be bought in a store that specialises in building materials.

Products for cleaning porcelain tile floors: the daily routine

There are several products recommended for cleaning porcelain floors. Regardless of the design, a wood-look porcelain floor is cleaned in the same way as a marble-look porcelain floor. After the initial cleaning, simple but regular maintenance should be carried out. The frequency of scrubbing is weekly, but if the floor needs it sooner, the frequency can be increased:

Dry mopping, wiping and vacuuming or sweeping.

Daily dry mopping is recommended to remove dust and fingerprints. If necessary, wipe with a cloth and a cleaner suitable for porcelain floors.

It should also be noted that before mopping, it is best to remove surface dirt with a professional vacuum cleaner or broom.

Soap and water, the best solution

Soap and water are the only two essential elements needed to clean porcelain floors. As with the initial cleaning, it is advisable to use plenty of water. The recommended ratio is three parts water to one part cleaning product. This should be pH neutral.

Cleaning porcelain grouting with a brush and water

Porcelain grout joints tend to get dirty, so the procedure for cleaning them is slightly different. They should be scrubbed with a brush (e.g. an old toothbrush) using a mixture of three parts water to one part potash. Then rinse with plenty of water and dry with a clean cloth.

Home remedies for cleaning porcelain tiles: a mistake?

Porcelain tiles are very hard-wearing, but that doesn't mean you can use any product on them. Using a product that is too acidic may not help the flooring or the furniture and surrounding areas that come into contact with it.

Some household remedies that are mistakenly recommended for cleaning porcelain floors include vinegar or lemon, which are best avoided because of their acidity. The same applies to alkalis such as bleach or ammonia.

How to clean porcelain floors depending on the finish

Although the basic principles of cleaning are the same for all types of porcelain floor (colour, design, etc.), there are some recommendations depending on the finish:

How to clean a matt porcelain floor

Matt porcelain floor tiles can be cleaned more or less easily, depending on how smooth the surface is. To clean the entire surface of a rough porcelain tile, we must pay attention to all its irregularities. In fact, for non-slip porcelain tiles installed outdoors, where the surface is very rough, there are specific professional products that clean more thoroughly.

Cleaning glossy porcelain tiles

When cleaning glossy porcelain floors, it is important to avoid using polishes or products containing wax. This is because they can leave stains on the tiles that are difficult to remove. For this reason, it is best to choose recommended pH-neutral products for cleaning glossy porcelain floors.

Polishing a porcelain floor

The advice for polishing a porcelain floor, such as an imitation wood floor, is the same. The best solution is gentle, regular maintenance. Remove dust and all traces of dirt before washing, avoid abrasive cloths or sponges and use recommended cleaning products.

All in all, the process of keeping porcelain floors looking as good as new is simple. All it takes is regular care and attention to the cleaning products used.