Mandy PhillipsCleaning tile is never fun, but if you don’t want those nasty soap scum and water spots to accumulate on your porcelain tile in the shower, then it’s a must.
Fortunately, there are some tricks to make your cleaning routine a little easier. In this blog post, we’re going to talk about how you can clean porcelain tile in your shower.
The two main types of tiles you might have in your bathroom are matte and glazed; each requires its cleaning procedure, so read on for details.
Everything You Need to Know About Matte (Unpolished) and Glazed (Polished) Porcelain
A matte (unpolished) finish has uniform color and texture. It does not contain any glaze that can be cleaned or faded off. It is pretty solid and durable and great for floors and walls.
A glazed (polished) finish is like the designer version. It is covered in a layer of color and can be done in different styles, textures, and colors. It can mimic natural stones like limestone and granite, as well as fabrics and animal skin.
Whatever your choice, you can’t keep all that cuteness in your shower without taking proper care of it.
Follow this step-by-step guide on how to clean your shower porcelain tiles.
How to Clean Matte (Unpolished) Porcelain Tiles in the Shower
Matte porcelain tiles are easy to clean.
For everyday cleaning, use warm water and a mop.
For weekly cleaning, you can use a mild detergent mixed with warm water and mop or make a solution using white vinegar and water and spray on the surface, leave it for 10-15 minutes until the dirt loosens, and brush it off.
Use warm water and a clean microfiber cloth to wipe it dry after that.
Unpolished porcelain tiles are often used on shower floors due to their non-slippery qualities. If you have persistent stains on your porcelain tiles in the shower, check out natural stone cleaners that don’t damage the tile surface.
- Safe for porcelain
- No-rinse hypoallergenic formula
- Can also be used for cleaning natural stone, brick, ceramic, and granite
How to Clean Glazed (Polished) Porcelain Tiles in the Shower
Cleaning glazed porcelain can be more time-consuming than matte porcelain, as it requires special care.
In the beginning, you will need to sweep, vacuum, and then spray hot water to help loosen the stains.
You can scrub it off with a soft nylon bristle brush or an old toothbrush if the stains are tough.
Then, use a warm water mop and a soft sponge to clean off the residue and dry the floor.
Once the floor is completely dry, polish it with a clean cheesecloth for a sparkling shine.
The porcelain does not retain stains very well, but if there are any, make a mixture of white vinegar and water and repeat the process.
If you have an old porcelain tile in your shower or particularly persistent stains, use natural porcelain cleaners free of harsh chemicals and scents.
- Removes soap scum, grime, hard water deposits
- No harsh chemicals or fumes, contains natural plant-powered ingredients
- Great scent
- Easy on the lungs, family and pet safe
Things You Shouldn’t Try on Your Porcelain Tiles
- Never use harsh chemicals, such as bleach or acid-based products, on your porcelain tiles. Even if you need to use ammonia as a suitable cleaning agent, make sure it is very diluted. Otherwise, it might ruin the colors and appearance.
- Don’t use oil-based products, like wax cleaners. These types of cleaners react with the dirt in the tiles to form a tough stain.
- Do not use dye or coloring cleaners to clean your matte tiles. The mixture will not only brighten up matte tiles, but it actually will also add colors that are not as pretty. A mild detergent will do just fine.
- You must never let steel wool touch the tile. It may cause rusty stains on the tiles if it gets stuck, which would ruin the tiles.
- Restrain from using hard bristles or scrub brushes for the porcelain tiles. Hard bristles or scrubs might ruin the shine.
Why do People Like Porcelain Tiles Anyway?
Porcelain has high water-resistance
The tiles are water-resistant, making sense why they are the best choice for bathrooms since they do not get affected by the steam from the shower as they have a 0.5% absorption rate.
Porcelain provides excellent stain resistance
Because porcelain tiles are denser and less porous than ceramic tiles, they are more resistant to stain than ceramic tiles.
Versatility
With porcelain, there are many different designs to choose from, and you can choose from a wide variety of colors, textures, and styles.
Besides, glazed porcelain may give off a natural stone effect comparable to limestone and granite.
Modern designs are unique in that they imitate many materials such as leather, fabric, and even animal prints.
Ease of maintenance
Porcelain is easier to maintain than ceramic tiles and the rest of the other tiles that require frequent scrubbing.
It is ideal for wall cladding and can be used both inside and outside the shower.
Durability
Because porcelain is tough, wears and tears are less apparent on porcelain, making it worth the price despite being more expensive than some alternatives.
FAQ
Vinegar won’t damage your porcelain tiles as long as it is applied properly. Too much exposure to strong vinegar can strip away the finish, causing tiles to look less attractive and vulnerable to damage.
The extra density of porcelain makes it less prone to chipping compared to ceramic. The level of resistance to scratches and chips on porcelain tiles is determined by the PEI rating.
Porcelain tiles are among the most durable materials for flooring and walls. When maintained properly, porcelain tiles can last for as long as 50 years.
