Porcelain Tile Stain Removal

While porcelain tiles boast unrivaled stain resistance, no material is completely stain proof. Maintaining a regular cleaning routine is crucial to keeping your tile stains at bay. Sweep and vacuum your tile floor weekly to remove loose dirt and debris.

When mopping, use a mild detergent that is safe for your type of tile. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions on the bottle.

Water Spots

For glazed porcelain tiles, water spots can be removed from the surface with a cleaning rag dampened with warm water and white vinegar. The acid in the vinegar helps to break down hard water deposits and also leaves a fresh, clean scent. You can also use a commercial cleaner made especially for tile with mineral buildup, but be sure to follow the instructions on the bottle carefully and wear gloves and eye protection.

Unglazed or through body porcelain or vitreous body tiles can be more prone to staining since they don’t have a protective coating. Often, they’ll require more frequent cleaning than glazed tile to maintain their appearance. Sweep or vacuum regularly, and mop the floor with a soft brush to avoid scratching the tiles.

For more stubborn stains, try using a poultice on textured tiles to remove gum, wax, or tar from the tile’s surface. This will help you remove dark patches without damaging or discoloring the grout lines underneath.

Mildew

Although the words mildew and mold are often used interchangeably, these two growths are different from one another. Mildew is a specific type of fungus that grows on flat surfaces and typically has a powdery texture. Molds have a fuzzy appearance and emit a musty odor due to the production of MVOCs.

Both mildew and mold can stain porcelain tile, particularly in high-traffic areas. However, porcelain’s density makes it less susceptible to the stains that these two organisms can produce than some other types of flooring materials.

To avoid the formation of mildew, keep closets, dresser drawers and other storage spaces clean so that soiled articles do not provide food for molds to grow. If a fabric is mildew-stained, wash it at once with soap and water. A solution of sodium perborate in water or a dry bleach powder can also remove mildew stains, provided that it is safe for the fibers in the fabric.

Soap Scum

Porcelain tile is incredibly durable, but that doesn’t mean it’s stain proof. In fact, porcelain tiles can become discolored when they are contaminated with soap residue. This buildup can cause the tiles to look dull and feel slick, making them more slippery than they should be.

This filmy layer is caused by calcium and magnesium particles in hard water, which combine with the fatty acids found in soap. This mixture then attracts dead skin cells, body oils, and dirt and becomes irresistible to mold and mildew.

The best way to avoid soap scum is to wipe down your bathroom surfaces daily with a dry washcloth or towel. You should also use a squeegee to remove any excess water after showering. To remove tough grime, use a specialized tile cleaner or a solution of white vinegar and water. Apply the cleaner to the affected area and scrub gently with a non-abrasive sponge. Then rinse the tile and dry it with a clean cloth or towel.

Grease

Grease can be hard to remove from porcelain tile, but a good cleaning routine is the best solution. Start by sweeping and vacuuming to remove any dirt and debris. Sweep the area twice, first in one direction and then diagonally, to help get any dirt trapped within the textured surface. Follow up with a cleaner that is gentle on tiles but tough on grease, such as Honest Multi-Surface Cleaner or Simple Green. Avoid cleaners with bleach or ammonia, as they can stain your polished porcelain tile floor.

After a thorough cleaning, dry your tile floors as quickly as possible to prevent water spots from setting in. A microfiber cloth or towel will do the trick, but you can also work a fan or open windows to speed up the drying process. Maintaining this daily cleaning schedule will keep your bathroom tiles looking their best. If you notice any stubborn stains, give them a once-weekly cleaning with a pH-neutral tile cleaner.

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