TILE CARE & MAINTENANCE


WHEN ONE SOLUTION DOESN’T ALWAYS SUIT ALL Lisa Breakspear, Business Development Manager at Fila UK, explains the


importance of distinguishing between porcelain, ceramic and natural stone tiles when it comes to the care regime.


Stone surfaces and porcelain and ceramic tiles are very different things. Great care often goes into the specification of certain materials for different areas of the home or contract site. Aesthetics play a big part, as well as performance. The problem is that, in terms of maintenance, they’re often collectively viewed as ‘tiles’ and treated in the same way.


The care and maintenance regimes for ceramic and porcelain, and stone should really be viewed differently because stone is a natural material. The regime for ceramic and porcelain is relatively straight-forward - provided that the surfaces are thoroughly cleaned with a suitable detergent, after installation; that grout lines are protected and ongoing cleaning recommendations are observed, it’s pretty much a done job. It’s much the same for stone, although surfaces will need to be sealed. Stone cleaning products are generally pH-neutral, so they can safely be used across all surfaces. But, if ceramic and porcelain products are used on stone, a variety of issues can result.


Many of the problems that people report via our technical helpline relate to the use of regular household cleaning products and subsequent staining. There are also issues resulting from cleaning with just water and the use of detergents that contain ‘maintainers’.


Regular ceramic and porcelain tile cleaners tend to be quite acidic and many types of stone are acid-sensitive and porous. Acid treatments can also damage any sealer applied, by eroding into the surface. Natural cleaning remedies - using vinegar, lemons, baking soda and various other ingredients from the kitchen cupboard – as well as household cleaning products, can also be either very acidic or have a high alkaline value, both of which can damage natural surfaces and sealers. They can also dull polished ceramic and porcelain floors. Specialist stone cleaning


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products, on the other hand, tend to be pH-neutral and are designed to care for the natural stone surface and to ensure the longevity of a sealer.


So, what happens if the stone surface is just cleaned with water? We come across this an awful lot and the outcome is always the same. Many people fear the use of a detergent, so they don’t use anything at all. The surface is ‘cleaned’ by mopping with water; this swishes the dirt around which then becomes unsightly and can ingress into the porosity of the stone. A mop won’t be able to dig this out and so the surface may always be compromised. As ceramic and matt porcelain aren’t porous, the dirt won’t ingress into the surface but it will stain the surface and the grout joint – and any dirt residue left will provide a key for dirt going forwards.


Then there are maintainers, designed to leave a nice sheen on the floor’s surface. These can cause issues with ceramic, porcelain and stone, in the same way as a water-only regime. Ingress may be seen on stone and all surfaces will be harder to look after, as the maintainer will be a key for dirt. On polished surfaces, the original polished finish will be diminished too.


As a rule of thumb, if you want to clean all of your surfaces with one product, then stick to a pH-neutral cleaning product, like FILA Cleaner. This particular detergent can be used at different dilutions to care for different materials, from acid sensitive natural stone to glazed ceramics. Some deep cleaning alkaline solutions, like FILAPS87, can also be used on ceramics, porcelains and unpolished stone, but anything acidic should not be used on acid-sensitive surfaces. Seeking professional advice will really pay dividends, in terms of a simple cleaning regime and a successful installation.


www.filasolutions.com www.tomorrowstileandstone.co.uk


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