Porcelain tiles offer a resilient, hard-wearing finish for your floors. They are made with different materials to standard ceramic tiles. Sand and feldspar are added to create a denser tile, which is stronger and absorbs less moisture. This makes the tile more stain resistant and easier to maintain.

When it comes to flooring materials, porcelain tiles are one of the easiest to maintain. Vitrified porcelain tiles and smooth glazed-surface tiles are the easiest to clean, but with proper care, unglazed and textured porcelain tiles can be maintained without any difficulty.

Pictured: Quartz Twilight Porcelain Tiles

Here are 5 things you should know about cleaning porcelain tiles:

1 - Sweep or vacuum dust and dirt away

Your first cleaning action should be to get rid of any dust and dirt that has gathered. This can be done daily by using a vacuum cleaner, or it can be swept away. A dry mop is recommended for sweeping, rather than a broom, as this will give better day-to-day protection for the tile surface.

2 - Avoid chemical cleaners containing ammonia, bleach or acids for regular cleaning

Porcelain tiles are heated to fuse the mixture together, giving it similar water-resistant qualities to glass. Regular use of corrosive chemicals can erode the surface of the tile, and increase its water absorption rate. Corrosive chemicals will also erode the grout, which will loosen the tiles and allow water to get beneath the tiles creating dampness. For everyday cleaning of indoor and outdoor porcelain tiles, just use warm water and a mop. Every couple of weeks clean with a mild detergent mixed in warm water. Only consider chemicals to remove any stubborn stains.

3 - Completely wash away detergents

When using a detergent, ensure it is of a low concentration. Textured tiles may need a slightly higher concentration than other tiles. Cover an area of the floor with the cleaning solution and let it stand for about 5 minutes. Then use a mop to clean the area. Do not let the cleaning solution dry. Next, mop the area again with clean, warm water. This will get rid of any detergent residue and prevent water spots or powdery marks.

4 - Stain removal 

Not all stains are created equal. We tend to utilise the same cleaning method for all stains, but this is not the correct way to go about things. Stains should be treated in the most effective way to reduce any long-term damage to the tiles or grout. When dealing with stains only clean the affected area; do not use on the whole floor.

5 - Get rid of stubborn stains with gentle chemical use

Following the above guidelines will give your porcelain tiled floor the best protection it can get, and keep it looking its best. Unfortunately, accidents do happen, and major stains to tiles may need to be treated with a more aggressive approach requiring chemicals. Be aware that these chemicals can lead to a change in colour of the grout. First of all, follow the instructions above and find the best method to clean the particular stain. Make sure you are wearing suitable gloves, a mask, and eye protection, and ventilate the area by opening windows and doors that lead outside. Only clean the affected area.

By following these tips you will keep your porcelain floor in tip-top condition, and increase its longevity.

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Bonus Tip: Place a doormat near the entrance to the room to catch most of the dirt being carried in, reduce the amount of cleaning needed and prevent damage to tiles.

Did you know, you can now order full-size samples of our patio tiles? Once you've chosen the best porcelain paving for your project, you can order directly through our website. Don't miss out, shop now.

Porcelain tiles are a popular choice for kitchen and bathroom floors. This material offers design versatility and mimics natural stone varieties, such as limestone and granite. If you wish to change your interior flooring to tiles, consider the following advantages of porcelain and the reasons why you should choose these tiles for your home. 

Design-friendly and reliable

Most porcelain tiles are hard-wearing and simple to maintain. This means that once you’ve completed the job of installing the tiles in your home or office, you won’t need to worry about their colours fading; making Porcelain look beautiful in almost any setting. It is also good to know that porcelain tiles are very easy to install. Even a DIY enthusiast can complete the tiling project in the quickest possible time. Because porcelain tiles are so versatile, they can be used in the bathroom, home, or office. 

Fire, liquid and stain resistant

Porcelain flooring is naturally stain resistant and doesn’t let chemical stains penetrate through the material. In addition, porcelain’s density makes it more resistant to liquid absorption than any other type of tile. Our porcelain tiles are also stain, slip and fade resistant with low porosity.

Low maintenance

As this type of tile is water resistant, it becomes easy to maintain. Any spills can be cleaned on the spot, and by regularly sweeping the floor using pH balanced dish soap and water solution, the glazed surface will be protected and disinfected. 

If porcelain tiles are properly installed, they can last for decades. This saves you money in repair and replacement costs. They are also resistant to cracking from physical impacts. In the event that damage occurs to a tile, you can easily remove and replace it. In areas of high traffic, these tiles are an ideal choice as they are more durable than most other tiles and tend to maintain their new appearance. 

Available in different styles 

Porcelain tiles are made to look like granite, wood, limestone, or stoneware. You can select any style depending on your home’s décor. We supply two types of porcelain tiles; inside tiles and outdoor tiles. Our inside tiles are smooth with a polished texture and our outdoor tiles are textured with good grip. The difference between indoor and outdoor is the thickness, indoor tiles are 1cm and outdoor tiles are 2cm. However you can use our 1cm version both inside and out.

Still not convinced? Want to learn more about the benefits of porcelain tiles? If so, don’t hesitate to get in touch. To speak to one of our friendly, knowledgeable team members, telephone 029 2080 3750 or email info@primaporcelain.co.uk.