How do I remove stains from black polished porcelain floor tiles? (merged threads)

sukbob1

I've just had a new floor laid some of the tiles have already got stains on them. The tiles are shiny, reflective black and the stains are spots and smears in certain areas that appear a different shade of black-not sure what they are!
I've tried a porcelain floor cleaner (putting it on, washing it off them and hand drying) but it hasn't worked. Do I need to get a professional in to clean it? Or is there something else I can try?
The tiles were fine when originally laid, but after a couple of weeks of wear, these spots appeared. Could be hard water, after we mopped it with porcelain cleaner?

sukbob1

I've just had a new floor laid some of the tiles have already got stains on them. The tiles are shiny, reflective black and the stains are spots and smears in certain areas that appear a different shade of black-not sure what they are!
I've tried a porcelain floor cleaner (putting it on, washing it off them and hand drying) but it hasn't worked. Do I need to get a professional in to clean it? Or is there something else I can try?
The tiles were fine when originally laid, but after a couple of weeks of wear, these spots appeared. Could be hard water, after we mopped it with porcelain cleaner?

Doozergirl

Elbow grease works on most things. A scourer, some cleaning product and a good bit of energy and there's nowt you can't lift, including grout which it might be if it's brand new.

If the scourer fails, a strong fingernail or a paint scraper thing from B&Q which is essentially a stanley blade, face on, will do it.

DonnaDoop

"a strong fingernail" I have to agree with Doozergirl, a nail can gently remove anything that has left a coating on your tiles. If you rub a nail over it and it feels smooth, then it may be that the tiles aree porous and are taking in pockets of water, in which case you need to start looking upon these as 'character', and learn to love them Im afraid!
- just thought - there's product called 'bar tenders friend' I dont know if its still available but I used it on tiles, worktops and porous sinks when I was in the kitchen business and it worked great-if you can find it, its well worth a shot

john0612

should have been sealed with this first



Protection

STAIN PROTECTION FOR POLISHED PORCELAIN Coverage: 25m sq
Polished Porcelain Impregnator Sealer

What It's For
Protects porcelain floors from stains and dirt
Advantages

1. Does not yellow with age
2. Provides long lasting, renewable protection
3. Does not leave any filmy residue
4. Penetrates deeply, protects and makes cleaning easy
5. Does not alter the surface appearance or colour

How It's Used

1. Clean with Residue Remover (Extra Strong)
2. When dry, apply a continuous coat of the product with a brush or roller
3. Leave for 12 hours (at least)
4. Wipe off any residue with a dry cloth or floor polisher
5. Any stubborn residues due to over-application can be removed with a cloth dipped in Fila Stone Stripper

and this for cleaning
£11.22
(all prices include VAT)[URL="javascript:popupWindow('http://www.leafcutterdesign.co.uk/lithofin-intensive-cleaner-pi-577.html')"]
Click to enlarge[/URL] Lithofin FZ Intensive Cleaner
1 Ltr
A Solvent free, alkaline cleaner removes stubburn dirt deposits, care product residues as well as oily and greasy dirt.
Coverage approx. 10-15 m2 per litre in the case of stubborn dirt (up to 200 m2 when used diluted).

divorcingjack

Are they the 600x600 ones from B&Q by any chance?

If so, you are not alone! Loads of people have had difficulties with them; think it is because they are Chinese, and no-one was told that they need to be sealed before your tiles even touches them, and also after laying.

I found the screwfix tile forums really helpful - they recommend Lithofin products.

Some people have managed to get their money back from B&Q.

Let us know if you find a solution, good luck.

I am about to have the cream ones laid in my bathroom, glad I found out about the problems beforehand.

dj

divorcingjack

Forgot to mention, the prevailing wisdom on the tiler forum is that the stains can be caused by grout bleeding through the tile, as it wasn't sealed. :mad:

john0612

divorcingjack wrote: »

no-one was told that they need to be sealed before your tiles even touches them, and also after laying.

ALL polished porcelain tiles NEED to be sealed, matt/eggshell ones don't.

starkitten

Did u seal them? Porcelain tiles need to be sealed even the polished onesas they are porous. Otherwise they'll just suck up much and if it gets in it often doesn't come out.

ozskin

porcelain does not need to be sealed if it does then they are inferior quality tiles and you should not touch them with a barge pole, im assuming they are the cheapies from b & q sorry but there is a v long and v expensive way to rescue these but it is cheaper and quicker to take them up and start again with a proper porcelain tile sorry for the bad news but you gets what you pay for

ozskin

good porcelain does not need sealing but cheap rubbish does even then its a nightmare get your money back and but some proper porcelain