Porcelaine floor tiles badly marked

Susan1942

I put porcelaine floor tiles on my kitchen floor about 3 years ago. They have always been very hard to keep clean as ever spot of water or anything else showed up. They needed washing several times a day and inbetween if you walked on them prints etc showed up.
I have tried several products over time including simple cleaning products. Also tried products like HG Porcelaine Flash and others My Son was visiting last week and said there is a skin on them. He suggested vinegar and I read somewhere bic of soda. He had similar tiles I decided to have a go and now it is worse than ever.
Firstly I put the HG cleaner on near and left it for about 10 mins. Washed it off and it is a mess. It has got shiny bits and dull bits and very blotchy and streaky.
I have washed and washed it but don't for now have a scrubbing brush. This am I mixed some vinegar and bic of soda and rubbed that in and washed it off. Not really any better! I am wondering if anyone has got any ideas where I can go from here? I don't know if I just keep washing it if it will recover ? Washed about 6 times to date.
Short of covering it with lino as I can't bear the noise and mess of having it taken up. The tiles are on a concrete floor. I can't remember if they went straight on the concrete or wood? My previous tiles I just wiped over say once a day no probems. I have the same tiles as the old kitchen ones too no problems.
I am absolutely desperate !! Help!!

Sue

Ionkontrol

Did you seal these prior to and after installation?

Susan1942

No sealing required. When they went down I asked on these boards and someone reckoned there might be a skin on them.
That was when I bought that HD product. I have been washing them and about a year ago I started wiping them with a wipe it wet wipe for tiled floors and lino
Now they are just a dreadful mess. I used these as well as washing.
All I can see is either cover with lino or take them up

Any advice would be appreciated Sue

phill99

Were they a gloss (polished) finish when they were installed?

GwylimT

Are they glazed porceline? If not they did need sealing.

Do you have any originals in the original box?

Susan1942

Yes they are glazed I have a few spare tiles but pretty sure I don't have the box
Bought a scrubbing brush but might be too harsh. Might scratch the gloss finish .They actually have bug spoofed and streaks on them . I am wondering if I have taken some scum ??? In an uneven way .
I had look and spoke to a shop in town but they had products that were not really different to what I already have.
Do you think they would steam clean?
I could not live with how they look currently. Just wish I had left them alone!
Thanks for input Sue

blackshirtuk

could it be that there was a wax coating which wasn't removed?

http://abcopro.com.au/media-items/how-to/157-a-basic-guide-on-how-to-removing-porcelain-factory-wax.html

Susan1942

This appears to be an Australian web site. You could be right as these tiles have been a problem right from the outset. Now instead of being just a shine that marked when walked on they are shiny bits matt bits streaks and circles etc It looks like maybe something has come on in bits but not in others.
Do you think that I could get someone to clean these for me ?? I am beginning to look online here at new tiles.
It is now the weekend so will not be able to do anything over the weekend.
I will read through the article you have linked and see if it might be possible to get the same product in the UK .
Thanks Sue

wrightk

have you tried tile acid?used this on my floor tiles in kitchen a few years ago as i left grout all over the tiles after grouting (had to leave in an emergency)

teddysmum

It may be worth trying a product from the Astonish range, which is very cheap, but also effective.


Their pan paste takes tea stains out of worktops , which are untouched by normal worktop cleaners. (Barkeepers Friend is as good, but Astonish leaves no residue).

phill99

If you are describing them as a gloss (polished) finish, ythen they needed sealing when they were installed with a porcelain sealer. Polished porcelain will absorb products or liquids that are intentionally or accidentally spilt on it.

You have effectively damaged the surface of the tiles.

The only way forward is to contract a specialist tile restoration company who will repolish them, or to have them ripped up and replaced.