Caring for porcelain and ceramic tiles

With the right care, your porcelain and ceramic tiles can look fresh and beautiful for decades. They’re among the most forgiving and long-lasting surfacing options. Let’s walk through what to do, what to avoid, and how to handle special cases.

Know your tile

Understanding your tile’s properties makes all the difference in choosing the right care routine.

Porcelain vs Ceramic — Porcelain is fired at higher temperatures, making it denser, less porous, and more stain- and water-resistant.
Glazed vs Unglazed / Through-Body — Glazed tiles have a surface coating that resists stains. Unglazed or through-body tiles carry their colour through their entire thickness and may absorb more dirt if not sealed.
Textured / Anti-slip surfaces — These are great for safety (bathrooms, outdoor areas), but dirt can hide in the grooves. You’ll need a bit more agitation in cleaning.

Daily and Weekly Habits

Dry Debris Removal

Use a soft-bristle broom, microfibre dry mop, or a vacuum with a soft floor attachment to gently remove dust, grit and crumbs.
Pay special attention to entryways, edges, corners, and under furniture where grit accumulates.

Mop Smartly

Use warm water and a pH-neutral, non-sulfate cleaner (check that it’s labelled safe for tile) when additional cleaning is needed.
Wring the mop well. You want it damp, not dripping. Over-wetting grout can lead to dirt penetration.
Work in manageable sections (e.g. 1–2 square metres) so the water and dirt don’t spread.
Change mop water once it turns noticeably cloudy.
Dry or buff the surface with a clean microfibre towel or mop head to avoid spots or haze.

Spill & Spot Response

For greasy spots, you may need an occasional stronger cleaner, just use sparingly and rinse thoroughly.
Blot liquids immediately (don’t let them sit).Use the same pH-neutral cleaner to lift the residue, rinse and dry.

Pro tip: Before doing a full clean, test your cleaning method on a small, hidden area to ensure it doesn’t damage the finish or grout.

Periodic Deep Cleaning and Grout Care

Over time, general cleaning may not remove everything — particularly in grout lines or textured tiles. Here’s how to step up the cleaning without hurting your tiles.

Deep Cleaning

Use a soft brush or microfibre pad to agitate surface dirt. For textured tiles, pay attention to recesses and grooves.
For heavier dirt or film, use a cleaner made for tile (still pH-neutral) or a manufacturer-recommended product. Avoid strong acids or harsh alkalis.
Use steam cleaning (on safe settings) for bathrooms and areas where water is plentiful, but only on tiles rated for it and with sealed grout.
Rinse meticulously. Any leftover cleaner becomes sticky over time, attracting more dirt.

Grout Lines

Inspect grout periodically for cracks or gaps and repair them promptly. This prevents water or stain ingress.
Grout is more porous than tile and tends to stain or darken. Use a grout-safe cleaner and a brush to lift stains.
After cleaning, reseal grout (every 1–2 years or as needed) to protect against moisture, mould and dirt penetration.

Pro tip: Rotate rugs and mats. In high-traffic zones, rugs and mats collect grit but also wear the tiles underneath unevenly if left in the same spot. Rotate or shake them out regularly so foot traffic doesn’t leave a “path” impression across your floor

Sealing — When and What to Seal

Porcelain tiles generally don’t require sealing (especially glazed ones). The main focus is on grout and, in some cases, polished or textured porcelain.

Before sealing, ensure surfaces are clean, dry and fully cured (especially in new installations).
For polished porcelain, the polishing process can open micro-pores, so using a penetrating sealant can provide extra protection.
Unglazed porcelain or very textured tiles may benefit from a breathable impregnating sealer to reduce absorption.
Always use a sealer rated safe for use with your tile & grout materials.
Apply sealers in well-ventilated areas, following the product instructions for drying times and reapplication schedules.

Care by Area

Different areas in your home will present different challenges. Here’s how to tailor care by location:

Bathrooms and Wet Areas

Squeegee walls and glass after each use to reduce soap scum buildup.
Use non-acidic soap scum removers when needed (avoid harsh acids).
Ensure good ventilation (fans, windows) to keep grout dry and discourage mould.

Kitchens and Splashbacks

Wipe spills immediately (especially citrus, tomatoes, oils).
For ovens, stovetops: avoid dragging pans across tile — use trivets.
Avoid direct cutting on tile — use chopping boards. Ceramic or porcelain dishware can scratch porcelain surfaces.

Outdoor / Patio / Pool Surrounds

In colder climates, avoid de-icing salts directly on porcelain — they can degrade grout over time.
Sweep and rinse regularly to clear dirt, leaves, grit.
Use mild detergent or oxygen-based cleaners for algae, moss or organic stains. Avoid harsh bleach or strong alkalis near plants.
If using a pressure washer, use low to medium pressure and keep the nozzle at a safe distance (so you don’t damage grout or chip tiles).

Things to Avoid (and Why)

Knowing what not to do is just as important as knowing the right thing.

Dragging heavy objects — always use felt pads or lift, don’t slide.
Acidic cleaners (vinegar, lemon, bathroom sprays) — they can etch glaze, degrade grout, and dull surfaces.
Bleach and strong alkalis — can damage grout and silicone joints.
Wax or polish — leave residue buildup, making surfaces slippery or sticky.
Abrasive tools or pads (steel wool, metal brushes, hard scouring pads) — scratch the tile surface.
Mixing cleaning chemicals — this is dangerous and unpredictable. Especially don’t mix bleach and ammonia (can release toxic gases).
Excess standing water — grout can soak in water and weaken over time.

Problem	Likely Cause	Solution
Persistent haze or film	Residual cleaning agent, wax or sealers	Deep rinse with clean water, use remover designed for tile finishes
Mottled colour or patchy areas	Uneven cleaning, dirty rinse water	Re-clean in small zones, change rinse water often
Efflorescence (white powder on grout/tile)	Salts rising through substrate or grout	Brush dry, use grout-safe cleaner; address moisture ingress
Stains in grout lines	Porous grout absorbing spills	Use grout cleaner, re-seal grout
Algae, mould or moss outdoors	Moisture, shade, organic growth	Use mild fungicidal cleaners or oxygen-based cleaners; improve drainage and sunlight
Scratches or dull spots	Abrasive contact, dragging objects	For minor surface haze, buff gently with a polishing pad; for deeper damage, consult tile restoration

Pro tip: Mind the grout colour. Light-coloured grout can darken over time, even with the best cleaning habits. Use a colour-matched grout sealer or a grout colourant pen to freshen lines and keep the tiled surface looking crisp and new.

Long-Term Care and Inspection

Schedule a deep clean and grout check at least once a year (or more in high-traffic areas).
Inspect grout lines and joints semi-annually, repairing cracks before they become bigger problems.
For textured or high slip-resistance tiles, monitor grout wear — replenishing or restoring join fillings may be necessary over time.
Keep a small “tile repair kit” on hand (extra grout, matching colour touch-up, sealer) so you can act quickly when needed.

Why All This Matters

Looks last longer — consistent care preserves gloss, colour and uniform appearance.
Structural integrity — grout and joints protect your tile installation; neglect leads to water ingress, cracking and deterioration.
Safety — removing buildup and residue prevents slips in wet areas.
Cost savings — minor upkeep beats large restoration jobs later.

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