Old Swan Tiles 2021 Collection

Cleaning and Maintenance of
Unglazed Porcelain Tiles
Removing Protective Wax
Coatings
Many porcelain tiles arrive with a protective coat of
transit wax to prevent scratching during transportation.
It is best to clean this off once the tiles have been laid
but before grouting. This is because some unglazed
porcelain tiles can be susceptible to staining by
coloured grouts and wax will not protect the tile from
this.
When using cleaning products on your tiles, be
sure to carry out a patch test first, and follow the
manufacturer’s guidance on the packaging.
To remove the wax you will need a mild abrasive
cleaning product such as Microscrub, which will clean
but not harm the surface of the tiles. Apply this to the
wet tiles and rub with a scrub pad or a rotary machine.
Avoid rubbing too hard or using anything that could
damage the porcelain, especially on polished tiles
which could become dull if scratched. Once you have
managed to get rid of the wax, remove all the residue
from the tiles, including any that is caught in the gaps
between them. Then rinse with clean water. Finally, dry
the floor, either using a wet-vac or a towel.
Sealing
Some of our porcelain ranges need to be sealed. This
should be carried out before grouting to prevent the
grout staining the tiles. Follow the instructions given
by the manufacturer and allow the sealant to dry before
grouting. Once grouted and cleaned, it is a good idea
to reseal the tiles. This will also seal the grout. The
majority of our polished porcelain ranges arrive presealed
from the factory, but they will need resealing at
regular intervals. You can do a simple test by placing
a small amount of water on to the tiles and waiting to
see if it is absorbed by the tile or not. If it is, you need
to reseal the floor.
Cleaning
If you spill anything, remove it promptly. Many
household chemicals, tea, coffee and wine are all acidic
and can etch the porcelain tiles if left unattended.
Clean floor tiles regularly, sweeping or vacuuming
first, then mopping with a mild household cleaner or
one specifically manufactured for use with unglazed
porcelain tiles. Be sure to rinse with clean water at
regular intervals. Once you have finished the process,
dry the tiles off to avoid water spots.
Textured tiles, by their very nature, will require more
effort when cleaning, as you will need to make sure to
remove all foreign residue that might get caught in the
texture.
Shading
Tiles are produced in batches in the same way as
wallpaper, and a degree of shading is inherent in the
manufacturing. Please examine the tiles and make sure
that there is an acceptable blend of shades BEFORE
starting to tile. We will not accept any claims or returns
for shading purposes once the tiles have been fixed to
the wall or floor. We cannot guarantee that subsequent
batches will be exactly the same shade, so please
ensure that you purchase enough tiles for the job.
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