Page 82 - Wholesale Brochure 12.08.2019

Cleaning and Maintenance of

Unglazed Porcelain Tiles

Cementi Blanco 300x600mm

Removing Protective Wax majority of our polished porcelain ranges arrive pre-
sealed from the factory, but they will need resealing at
regular intervals. You can do a simple test by placing
Coatings a small amount of water on to the tiles and waiting to
see if it is absorbed by the tile or not. If it is, you need
Many porcelain tiles arrive with a protective coat of to reseal the floor.
transit wax to prevent scratching during transportation.
It is best to clean this off once the tiles have been laid
but before grouting. This is because some unglazed Cleaning
porcelain tiles can be susceptible to staining by If you spill anything, remove it promptly. Many
coloured grouts and wax will not protect the tile from household chemicals, tea, coffee and wine are all acidic
this. and can etch the porcelain tiles if left unattended.
When using cleaning products on your tiles, be Clean floor tiles regularly, sweeping or vacuuming
sure to carry out a patch test first, and follow the first, then mopping with a mild household cleaner or
manufacturer’s guidance on the packaging. one specifically manufactured for use with unglazed
To remove the wax you will need a mild abrasive porcelain tiles. Be sure to rinse with clean water at
cleaning product such as Microscrub, which will clean regular intervals. Once you have finished the process,
but not harm the surface of the tiles. Apply this to the dry the tiles off to avoid water spots.
wet tiles and rub with a scrub pad or a rotary machine. Textured tiles, by their very nature, will require more
Avoid rubbing too hard or using anything that could effort when cleaning, as you will need to make sure to
damage the porcelain, especially on polished tiles remove all foreign residue that might get caught in the
which could become dull if scratched. Once you have texture.
managed to get rid of the wax, remove all the residue
from the tiles, including any that is caught in the gaps
between them. Then rinse with clean water. Finally, dry Shading
the floor, either using a wet-vac or a towel.

Tiles are produced in batches in the same way as
Sealing wallpaper, and a degree of shading is inherent in the
manufacturing. Please examine the tiles and make sure
that there is an acceptable blend of shades BEFORE
Some of our porcelain ranges need to be sealed. This starting to tile. We will not accept any claims or returns
should be carried out before grouting to prevent the for shading purposes once the tiles have been fixed to
grout staining the tiles. Follow the instructions given the wall or floor. We cannot guarantee that subsequent
by the manufacturer and allow the sealant to dry before batches will be exactly the same shade, so please
grouting. Once grouted and cleaned, it is a good idea ensure that you purchase enough tiles for the job.
to reseal the tiles. This will also seal the grout. The

82 www.eslceramics.co.uk