Abingwood Stone Floor Cleaning, Maintenance and Repair

Cleaning the tiles until they shine can make the whole bathroom look cleaner, brighter and more beautiful. Here are some practical tips to help you make your bathroom tiles clean and shiny.

Before deep cleaning the flooring, choose cleaners compatible with your tiles to avoid damaging them. Most cleaners are suitable for ceramic tiles, but you may want to test the cleaner on a small surface of tiles to be sure because even household products can damage them – vinegar, for example, can contaminate marble.

How to clean joints

The best way to clean the tiles properly is always to deal with the joints first. Dirt attracts mould faster, creating a black web of mould that makes the bathroom look dirty, no matter how shiny your tiles are.

1. Apply special detergent to the joints, keeping it 5 cm from the wall or floor. Let it work for 10 minutes or as recommended on the label.
2. Or use a home made cleaning solution. Just mix vinegar and baking soda using a toothbrush to scrub. If mould remains, repeat the process, leaving the mixture overnight.
3. Wipe the cleaner with a sponge.

How to clean the tiles: wash the tiles. Washing tiles is less time-consuming than cleaning joints.

1. The best way to clean the tiles is to start heating the bathroom. Run a shower at a high temperature until steam fills the bathroom. Condensation will loosen any dirt and make it easier to clean the tiles.
2. Spray with your chosen bathroom cleaner and let it dissolve the dirt for a minute.
3. Wipe the cleaner with a sponge or damp paper towel and polish the joints with a dry microfibre cloth until shiny.

How to make the bathroom glow with cleanliness?

Whether glossy or matte, faience tiles cover a layer of final heat-treated glaze, which is resistant to moisture (and in the bathroom, it is not insignificant) and protects the tile from dirt. But even such a strong coating needs daily cleaning. Daily care makes it possible to use less aggressive chemicals for bathroom cleaning, negatively affecting human health.

You can easily remove contamination, scale, water droplets on the tiles, traces of soap foam and shampoo with a soft sponge soaked in a bit of dishwashing detergent or ordinary soap solution. It is unnecessary to use aggressive detergents containing abrasive particles every time; it is advisable to use them as infrequently as possible. The abrasive particles scratch the hard surface (no matter how hard it is still possible to scratch) on the tiles, and your bathroom can get a not-so-shiny look. A simple soap solution is often enough to restore the bathroom’s former beauty. After wet cleaning, wiping the bathroom tiles with an absorbent cloth is essential to remove all drops of water and detergent residues that leave marks on the tiles after drying – especially on glossy surfaces.

In some cases, it is good to use flavoured disinfectants, which, in addition to destroying harmful microflora in the bathroom, leave behind a pleasant aroma.

Basic cleaning of the tiles in the bathroom

Even with the most regular and thorough daily cleaning, there comes a time when the bathroom tiles need a more thorough cleaning. Before choosing an aggressive detergent, it is desirable to thoroughly inspect the bathroom and pay attention to the condition of the joints. Select even more aggressive detergent, especially for them, as often the joints are the most polluted part of the tiles, whether it is a kitchen, bathroom, floor or wall. These detergents are usually different from those intended for the rest of the bathroom. It is advisable to determine what will clean with it before buying a detergent so that it does not turn out that the chosen detergent does not give the desired effect. When selecting a detergent, it is essential to pay attention to the surface for which it is. Otherwise, the surface may be permanently damaged and need to replace.

It would help if you took particular care with acid-based detergents, which people often use to clean porcelain sinks and toilet bowls. We advise you to use preparations based on flavouring and disinfecting additives to remove organic contaminants.

On the other hand, if it is necessary to remove traces of rust or scale, it is better to use weakly acid-based preparations that do not damage the glossy layer on the tile surface. The main recommendation when choosing a detergent for cleaning in the bathroom is to read the instructions on the detergent carefully and describe in detail: the method of application, possible reactions and effects on surfaces. Similar products from different brands often have a similar composition. And absolutely all describe safety precautions.

If you do not want to take advantage of factory household chemicals, are allergic to some of the ingredients, or just if you care about what you throw away in your environment, the alternative is to clean the bathroom with handy tools in the kitchen. The result will be the same. Here are some tips:

• Vinegar: with its help, you can remove scale from the surfaces in the whole bathroom in a few minutes, wherever they are. Just spray the vinegar solution on the covers with a spray gun, wait a few minutes, rinse and wipe with a dry absorbent cloth.
• Citric acid: if you clean the tiles in the bathroom with a solution of citric acid, you will get a perfect result with an antibacterial effect, odourless and high environmental safety.
• Chlorinated lime: used as a water solution with a low concentration. Removes most of the organic contaminants and has excellent disinfectant and bleaching properties. You can buy a ready-made solution, which we know as Bleach. The disadvantage is that it has a sharp and pungent odour, so use it carefully. Before using coloured tiles, making a preliminary test in an invisible place is desirable.
• Baking soda: used as a slurry. Apply with a damp swab without much pressure. Successfully deals with old pollution. Its disadvantage is that it has a high content of abrasive particles and can damage the glossy coating.
• Ammonia alcohol (ammonia): a weak solution of ammonia cleaning the tiles in the bathroom and the joints. However, when choosing this tile agent, you should remember that the high concentration of the solution is dangerous and has a sharp and pungent odour.
• You can use a melamine sponge and a toothbrush for the joints as cleaning aids for the bathroom. If you want to clean the bathroom without any detergents, use a steam cleaner. Sometimes this is the only possible option – in homes where children live, pets or people with severe lung disease.
  You should always choose between two different detergents when using chemical cleaners in the bathroom. Failure to observe this measure may result in uncontrolled chemical reactions accompanied by the release of free chlorine, ammonia or other toxic and irritating gases.

Terracotta tile is a facing detail of layers of baked clay. We can see it as a beautiful finish with various shades on the walls and floor of interior spaces and less often on exterior facades, terraces, restaurant gardens, decorative items and other furniture elements.

The affordable price and the beauty of terracotta make it a preferred cladding material in many interior spaces. The glaze is placed outdoors, as water absorption and subsequent freezing can crack the tile.

You know that cleaning glazed tiles is easy and is done in a way familiar to every housewife – a vacuum cleaner for dry waste and washing with a damp mop. However, what are the features of proper cleaning of terracotta after repair?

Terracotta tiles and cleaning equipment

The repair works, and especially the major repairs, leave deep traces. Paint, glue, cement, lime, and other construction debris fall and stick firmly to exposed areas.
A terracotta tile is baked at a lower temperature, so it is always more fragile and light. Its texture is porous and highly water-absorbing. Matte coatings are less resistant to scratches and peeling.

Transparent or coloured, the glaze effectively emphasises the nuances and patterns of the tiles. Coloured glazes seriously change the reddish-brown shades. Colouring is a product of minerals and metals such as copper, cobalt, zinc, gold and silver. Some types of terracotta are unglazed, but the glaze gives this cladding a more beautiful and durable look.

The glaze prevents the absorption of liquids in the clay mass and the stains they cause. However, it is not particularly resistant to physical shock. Driving heavy machinery or heavier objects often breaks the glass-ceramic surface. Not only them but also the stronger pressure during cleaning damages the surface, and when professional construction mixtures stick firmly to such material, their removal is a complex and time-consuming process.

Dry and wet machine cleaning

Manual washing with a mop and detergent is only sometimes enough to clean construction and installation mixtures. Alkaline detergent or strong adhesive thinner can dissolve all contaminants. However, rubbing it with a soft brush is not always enough to remove dried glue, paints and grouts that stick exceptionally tightly.

Machining facilitates and speeds up the process, especially using a multifunctional cleaning system. The washing vacuum cleaner invented in the middle of the last century became a revolutionary marvel of cleaning technology. The attachments, powered by a powerful brushless motor, are numerous and adapted to the specifics of each type of flooring in your home and garden.

The multifunctional vacuum cleaner is a driving force that cleans hard floors, upholstery, carpets, wallpaper, ceilings, bed linen, household appliances, and even dust from your flowers. This vacuum cleaner is ideal for cleaning an apartment, villa, office, restaurant or shop without other washing equipment. The two-filter construction “scans” the dirty dust particles in the air and removes them completely.

The result is a clean and fresh fragrant space, which has a highly beneficial effect on health. Medical research proves that the revolutionary cleansing system is an effective way to combat respiratory problems and asthma. How to deal with heavily stained terracotta after repair?

Soft camel hair brush and polish

Dry vacuuming works through attachments with a camel fibre brush and a rotating arm that easily cleans all hard-to-reach corners. Camel’s hair is coarse, durable and hollow inside. This structure determines the hygroscopicity of the material – it quickly “crushes” all dried building materials and absorbs large and small dust particles while absorbing moisture from the pavement.

The washing attachment consists of two nozzles – a delicate sponge and a brush constructed with a silicone pen. Strong alkaline solutions poured into the water tank are applied to the pavements under very high pressure.

In combination with the special cleaning ingredients, the powerful jet penetrates deep into the pores of the terracotta tiles. Dissolution and dilution of adhesive materials is a fact very soon. They are completely removed only after two or three procedures with the sweeping water. Considering its porous structure, when processed with a powerful machine, terracotta is much easier to clean than other floor coverings.

The vacuum cleaner removes all dried dust particles and building materials from the joints, which we often underestimate during routine cleaning. Washing with a multifunctional vacuum cleaner is a relatively modern way of cleaning, but it has proven its advantages. Apart from brilliant purity, one of them is the minimal effort in a procedure you can perform as a relaxing exercise with your favourite music.

The cleaners seal the terracotta surface after cleaning with a special wax with polymer agents using a disk machine, creating a thin but dense protective film with antistatic properties, which insulates the clay boards from scratches and water penetration, dust and stains.

Specifics of cleaning terracotta flooring

Terracotta is a material that is softer than granite. It has excellent absorbency.
You must be careful not to damage the surface of the tiles. The layer that covers it is separated from the base. It can be damaged, and any scratch is visible.

That is why we recommend machine floor cleaning, which protects the surface of the granite tiles and, at the same time, cleans thoroughly. Professional cleaning with machines also removes small particles in the joints. If the terracotta tiles are embossed, the machines wash the relief well.

When cleaning, professionals first use brushes to remove accumulations in the joints and the tiles’ relief. Then two more cleaning stages with a machine are performed, and the whole flooring is dried, also by machine. That removes both the dirt and the water used for cleaning.

After drying, the cleaners apply a polishing agent. It polishes the surface and repels contaminants. To maintain the cleanliness of terracotta floors, clean them with a professional machine once a year and carry the cleaning periodically.

Maintenance cleaning of terracotta floors

Periodic vacuuming is sufficient to maintain the cleanliness of the terracotta floor. If it’s a kitchen floor, we recommend vacuuming every day. Then you can wash the floor with a mop and warm water. No detergents are needed if there is no heavy contamination. It is important to dry well so that no dust sticks, and in areas with lime water, you will protect the surface from dried lime stains.

Do not use aggressive detergents.

Strong detergents easily damage the top layer of terracotta tiles. Avoid the use of such preparations. And if you accidentally spill vinegar or other liquid that can corrode the surface, wipe immediately until you altogether remove the spilt stain.

Cleaning between the joints

The joints are very convenient for layering dirt. Baking soda paste and water are enough to clean the joints. Apply the paste to the joints using a toothbrush. Then wash with warm water and dry.

Use a 3: 1 solution of bleach and water for heavily soiled joints. But if the joints are not white, be careful because this mixture will discolour them. Apply the solution between the joints with a toothbrush. When cleaning with baking soda, wait a few minutes, then wash and dry.

Cleaning mould between terracotta tiles in the bathroom

Mould can form if your bathroom has no external window and is poorly ventilated. You can clean it with ammonia and water in equal amounts. Use a brush to rub away mould stains.

Regular cleaning

For periodic cleaning of terracotta, prepare a solution of warm water in which you have dissolved half a glass of vinegar. Even better, clean the solution with warm water with a bit of detergent. These home remedies help clean sticky stains and stains from children and pets.

A basic rule for stone floor keeping is always to maintain a neutral PH  of the cleaning solution. That significant detail ensures an appropriate attitude and really professional care of the natural stone. Plenty of incorrect facts and misleading information may convince you to make a home washing solution with green ingredients. Yes, you may avoid the store-bought products with the purpose to live in a healthy way and to protect your home environment from the harmful vapours. But focusing only on the fact whether that cleaner is toxic or not, without to predict the protection requirements of the natural stone would have unpleasant consequences for its durableness.

When the cleaner is too acidic, for example consisting of vinegar or citrus juice, instead of shining cleanliness you would receive only results of irreversible damages. In this case, the pickled environment induces natural stone to dull and draw over time, attacking the sealant and reducing any chance to safe its beauty for many years.

You need to be attentive with the spills events and the rings under the bottles and cups because the drinks are acidic and the humidity penetrates easily beyond the stone surface, which is porous indeed. Such consistent everyday moisture takes away the stone shine.

If you have heard that above 7 Ph is a healthy environment for human being and when comes to cleaning affairs can easily remove grease and grime residues, you are right. But please do not choose a cleaner with alkaline features. The damaging traces over the stone would be a certain final result.

Regular maintaining is an important general housekeeping secret, but when we talk about stone flooring the clean care on a daily basis is the most appropriate behaviour. Sweep away frequently the high-traffic spaces or when you notice piled dirt and outside particles. You can also wipe down with water to avoid scratching. It is really amazing how are combined both opposite characters-the toughness of the stone and the softness of the porous structures. Such example is the marble-one of the softest stone representers. It is a fascinating material with natural beauty and specifically maintaining requirements. Experts recommend using mats in front of the entrances to keep the floors free of rough dirt which can cause deep and beyond retrieve scars.

The long shelflife, durableness and the beautiful shine of the stone floors depend on the used products, proper cleaning items and the way of treatment. Every rub movement and abrasive pad would be like a hostile for the structure of the stone. 

Think about the advantages and disadvantages of the two types of washing the floors – with a microfiber mop or with a bucket. The first one is minimizing the humidity and the spread of dirty liquid, which is unpleasant for the lines and the nooks. The second one is suitable for kitchens and large bathrooms, where the excess water can easily grab the food or hair residues, but be careful if you leave an abundance of water after each cleaning movement. So wash in small areas, rinse often and exert yourself to keep the mop squeezed very well. According to the cleaning experts, the microfiber scrubber mop pad is the most appropriate cleaning item for the natural stone floors.

One very significant topic when it comes for the stone floors – the tiles and fissures. Exactly there it is quite possible to accumulate a large amount of grime, but unfortunately, these areas are visible and thin spaces, hard to reach, which require special attention and tools everything needless to be removed successfully.

You may use a scrubber with a brush to enter in the crevices, to get through the lines and to eject and sweep the pieces. If you have noticed that the stains are really a lot, it would be better to find professional support, because the debris between the tiles may require special care with specific cleaning solutions which are quite efficient for a long time.

How to protect the beauty of the natural stone flooring? Manufacturers impregnate the stone and seal its holes to make it durable towards all kind of spills and liquids, dirt and muck.

As we mention above the neutral 7 Ph solution is the most appropriate and gentle cleaning concern, which can’t break down the protective covering.

If you manage to damage the stone floor the sealing becomes thin and extremely sensitive, hard to clean and maintain. In this case, every cleaning will provoke the soapy water to penetrate easily into the stone and between the lines. As the humidity evaporates, the dirt and soap leave sticky residues, which is a perfect condition for bacteria to develop, spread and create a dirty floor surface and toxic home environment although the efforts.

In conclusion, there are many types of stone flooring: marble, limestone, sandstone, granite, slate. All of them have specific features and require different products. Be aware of their nature, structure and care. Keep an eye on your flooring and if you notice any changes over the surface, it is better to call a professional cleaning company, which provides stone flooring maintaining.