Cleaning Terracotta tiles

[iggy]

Hello all

Newbie here :hurray:

I am so sorry for posting an obvious question - where I could have got the answer from doing a search

I have got really confused between all the advice & different products to buy ... so here I am with my question ... hope someone will offer some response .... thanking you in advance

Our kitchen/utility/downstairs loo has had these tiles down for around 5 years ...

The tiler to be honest did not do a good job to begin with (did not clean the tiles properly before putting the seal on - so he effectively sealed the tiles in the specs of dark coloured grout). These tiles should have a nice waxy clean surface in my humble untrained eye opinion - then again they are 5 years old?

My wife is at the end of her theather trying to keep them clean - they do not come clean because no matter what you do they just look like its glazed over with bits of grout!!!!!

Ideally if I could clean them and have another go at sealing them myself - without getting in the tradesman (to save a few quid :smilewinkgrin: ).

Could someone recommend an industrial strength cleaner and a correct sealer for these tiles?

I would initially like to purchase a small amount of the cleaner to check its working before I buy a large amount to do the whole lot.

Instructions on cleaning and how to seal properly would be really appreciated.

THANK YOU

Iggy

 

[Fekin]

Now Im no expert in terracotta, but I think if they have been sealed with dirt in them to start with and after so much time, I think they have to be ground down.... do they call it honing or something ?

Edit:

Have you tried Wax-Off by Lithofin

 

[iggy]

Fekin - thanks for your response.

The forum suggests from Lithofin and Aqua etc.

I am not very DIY type so joined forum to get advice - its working .

I have not tried anything for a while except for pure elbow grease and wire wool????

Assume the Wax-off product with take the top layer of wax/seal off as well as what I believe bits of grout in crevices?

thanks for more help?

cheers, Iggy

 

[DHTiling]

Hi Iggy...

Can you upload some pics..so we can see what you have..?


You can upload them via the attachments tab in post reply or upload to an album and copy and paste then into this thread..

 

[enduro]

You need Aqua Mix Heavy -duty tile and grout cleaner, Sweep the floor, mix cleaner 1 part cleaner to 2 parts water, apply solution to surface by mop or sponge, allow to dwell 5-10 Min's, agitate with a scrub brush do not allow solution to dry on surface, use a wet vac to clean up solution, then rinse floor thoroughly with clean water. then once clean and dry seal with Aqua Mix high gloss sealer.

 

[Fekin]

There, sounds easy :lol:

 

[iggy]

Thanks guys - photos attached of my problem .... its pretty bad eh

 

[Perry]

they look like ceramic tiles not terracotta ? 😛ete :yikes:

 

[frankenfurter]

Got to agree, they don't look like terracotta. Where abouts in the country are you?

 

[Perry]

looks like a textured porcelain tile with grout left on the surface 😳

 

[iggy]

guys - i'm in blighty in cheshire - but like I said a virgin DIY'er - so sorry if I mislead you with terracota trail .....😳.... i was so adamant as my missus told me they were???

Do I still go with Enduro's advice?

Or it best to use another product for ceramic/porcelain variety?

thanks again for your continued help ....

Iggy

 

[White Room]

I used Fila residue remover (extra strong) mixed 1-10 water on my porcelain in my kitchen recently and they came up spottless, left to dwell on the tiles for a couple minutes, scrub, then sponge with clean water.

 

[enduro]

guys - i'm in blighty in cheshire - but like I said a virgin DIY'er - so sorry if I mislead you with terracota trail .....😳.... i was so adamant as my missus told me they were???

Do I still go with Enduro's advice?

Or it best to use another product for ceramic/porcelain variety?

thanks again for your continued help ....

Iggy

Yes you can, except you don't need to seal them if they are ceramic.

 

[iggy]

Yes you can, except you don't need to seal them if they are ceramic.

Thanks Enduro.

Thanks to Fekin, Dave, PJC, Frankenfurter & Whitebeam.

This is an excellent forum and very well supported.:hurray:

All the best, Iggy :seeya:

 

[jay]

hi just wondering what are you currently using to clean tiles (its not wax or sikicone based is it):8:

 

[iggy]

Hello everyone

Well it's happened - managed to get my finger(s) out - got my tiles cleaned!!

I struggled to get hold off Aqua Mix in my area (around Warrington, Cheshire) - probably would have got it off the internet.

So went for the Lithofin WEXA product - which I got from a Tiler Retailer in Warrington.

The results are very good - the tiles look brand new. Mind you it was hard graft for a lazy oik like me - but the pain was worth it and the Mrs is chuffed to mint balls!

Just wanted to thank everyone on this forum (one of the best forums I have used :hurray🙂 for helping out and giving excellant advice & guidance.

Keep up the good work and all the best.

Iggy