As with anything in your home that gets a lot of wear, porcelain tiles can lose that initial shine and shimmer if they are not maintained correctly. This can manifest in a few ways. Dirty grout is a common issue that can develop over time, quickly detracting from the beauty of your porcelain tiles.
For anyone wondering how to make porcelain tiles shine weekly, there are two types of cleaning that you should always perform. The first is week-to-week cleaning which consists of sweeping and vacuuming to remove any dirt or debris. The next way to clean is with a vinegar-water solution and should be completed monthly.
Porcelain tiles when first laid have a very smooth finish and a shiny look. But as time goes by, the look can wear down and can give out a very drab look.
Simply mix a small amount of baking soda with water and apply it over your tiles using a damp mop or sponge. Let the mixture sit for several minutes before wiping clean, then watch as your tiles start to shine again! With this simple trick in your arsenal, you can say goodbye to dull-looking tiles once and for all.
There are two types of porcelain tiles : through-body and glazed porcelain. Through-body porcelain is where the tile has no glaze and the colour of the tile can be seen all the way through the body of the tile. These tiles can have a polished, semi-polished, matt or even slip resistant surface.
Most toilets are made from porcelain which is mainly clay that has been fired in a kiln and glazed. It is a hard substance but, like many rigid compositions, it has a narrow tolerance for flex or lateral stress. Over time stress fractures and hairline cracks may develop that are not visible on the surface.
Generally, a porcelain tile will last for decades and has extremely low maintenance - it's easy to clean and does not require sealing. Although extremely unlikely, should a porcelain tile get chipped, it will not be very noticeable due to its through-body composition where the colour is uniform throughout the tile.
Swiffer wet cloths are designed to be used on most floor surfaces, such as: vinyl. porcelain tiles. ceramic tiles.
The strength of the glazes and the colors used in porcelain tiles permanently stabilizes the coloring pigments. This means that porcelain tiles do not fade or change color even if permanently exposed to direct sunlight or polluting atmospheric agents, proving to be the optimal choice for outdoor applications.
For most types of tile, including porcelain and ceramic, you only need one key ingredient: A DIY mixture of warm water and dish soap will do the trick. Follow these steps to clean tiles: Spray the water and dish soap solution on the tile surface. Wipe the area with a damp microfiber towel or cloth.
Porcelain tile has a 60+ year life expectancy, so you definitely get your money's worth. It's perfect for walls, floors and indoor/outdoor installations. Rated for high-traffic areas, you won't have to worry about your porcelain floor degrading over time.
Tile cleaner
If you'd like one product that cleans everything in your bathroom, the famous blue bottle of window cleaner might just be it. Windex can also be used to clean tiles and grout, without causing any damage.
If you have a polished porcelain tile, then you have to re-polish it like you would if it were a natural granite because it is such a dense material. If you have a glazed ceramic tile, then you can't polish it. If you have damaged the glaze, there isn't much you can do other than replace that tile.
Things to Avoid
Stay away from products with bleach or ammonia because they can change the tile or grout coloring. If you need to scrub your floors, make sure not to use any brushes with hard bristles since they can scratch the porcelain surface.
If you recently had new tile installed and you are noticing a filmy, cloudy finish on your tile, there's a good chance this is leftover residue caused by your grout.
Fully vitrified or polished porcelain tiles, the most common type of porcelain tile, are non-porous and do not require sealing. However, you may apply a nano-upper coating sealer to change the color or create a shine.
Durability: The density of porcelain tile makes it more durable than ceramic tile while being less subject to wear and tear. This makes it more suitable for commercial use as well as in the home. Water Resistance: Porcelain tile is almost impervious to water compared to ceramic tile.
While porcelain is resistant to scratches, etching and stains, these surfaces are not damage proof. Take care to avoid exposing porcelain to permanent inks or dyes, as these might not be removable.
The surface of porcelain and ceramic tile do not require sealing, however, it's important to note that even though your porcelain or ceramic tile does not need to be sealed, the grout used during installation will need to be sealed and maintained.
Never use a product containing ammonia or bleach (or any type of acid-based cleanser); these can alter the tile color and/or stain the grout. Never use oil-based detergents or wax cleaners. On unglazed porcelain, never use any cleaners that contain dye or coloring.
That's right: water alone is enough to clean lightly soiled porcelain and ceramic tile surfaces. No harsh chemicals are necessary! If you choose to use a mop for your flooring, be sure you have swept up debris beforehand and use a flat mop rather than a sponge mop to keep from pushing dirty water into the grout lines.
You may have guessed where this is going: porcelain tiles are not waterproof, they are water resistant. That means that if you submerge them in water long enough, then they will eventually allow that water to seep through.
Porcelain or ceramic tile
Both porcelain tile and ceramic tile are made to sustain decades of high-traffic wear and tear. If installed and maintained well, they can last 50 years or more! Porcelain and ceramic tile are also fairly resistant to elements like water, debris, and stains.
1. Lower quality materials: The tiles may be made from lower quality materials, which can affect their durability and longevity. 2. Mass production: The tiles may be produced on a large scale, which can lower the cost per unit.
The PEI rating, or Porcelain Enamel Institute rating, is one of the most important factors to consider when considering various porcelain tile grades for your project. This rating tells you the resistance of a tile to wear due to abrasion and determines its suitability for different uses.