When it comes to indoor flooring, matte finish tiles are one of the most trendy choices among many homeowners. The classy, matte look it provides enhances the beauty of any area. But to maintain their beauty, these tiles need to be adequately cleaned and maintained. You need to follow specific steps to clean your matte finish floor tiles.
Since it doesn't have a shiny surface to reflect light, dirt and dust do not show up clearly. So, here are some instructions for cleaning matte floor tiles.
How to Clean Matte Finish Tiles Just After Installation?
Once the tiles are installed, you must clean up the leftover grout and other materials. Make sure nothing sharp is being used to clean the tiles. Otherwise, you might see surface abrasions. Commercial cement removers and epoxy cleaners can be used to clean the tiles by removing excess grout residues. Consider cleaning your tiles regularly if you want a matte look similar to that of marble internal flooring.
How to Clean Matte Finish Tiles?
Matte tiles need frequent cleaning and maintenance. While stains and smudges do not show up as quickly on matte tiles, they require more cleaning time. Matte tiles cannot be cleaned with merely a wet cloth. To get rid of stains, you need to work hard.
However, if you have installed dark matte tiles like granite flooring or something similar to midnight black limestone, they are more likely to accumulate grime and soap smudges. To make them appear spotless, you need to clean them frequently. Your floors will otherwise appear unclean and neglected. So, below is the complete process of cleaning matte finish tiles for the living room or anywhere else in your home.
Step 1 - Preparation
Start by preparing a mixture of mild detergent and warm water to clean off all the dirt and dust from the surface. You should never forget that matte finish tiles are porous, absorbing water and staining easily. So, properly wash the surface to avoid any staining and dust from gathering on the surface.
Step 2 - Cleaning
Start cleaning your matte finish floor tiles using a sponge or soft cloth. Baking soda, lemon juice, or vinegar are the alternatives to dishwashing liquid to clean your tile's surface. Make sure you don't use any sharp material to clean your tiles, as there might be a possibility of scratches. If you are unsure about the cleaning material, you can get help from a professional.
Step 3 - Avoid Using too Much Water
Matte finish tiles are porous and thus absorb water. So, you should avoid using too much water for cleaning. Excess water can damage your tiles and can cause cracks or holes. Instead, dip your sponge or soft cloth in the mixture and clean the surface. This will let you clean the surface with a minimum amount of water.
Step 4 - Dry the Tiles Immediately
After cleaning, matte porcelain should be quickly dried with a dry cloth or paper towel. Never leave matte porcelain tiles out in the open, as this will increase the amount of moisture it absorbs from the air and potentially harm the surfaces.
Step 5 - Final Touch
To give your tiles a finishing touch, use a clean microfiber cloth to mop the surface after using a sponge. Microfiber cloth absorbs dirt and cleans the surface better than any other material. Make sure that the microfiber cloth does not have any stains on it. Otherwise, it might stain the surface of your matte finish tiles.
How to Deep Clean the Matte Finish Tiles?
Deep cleaning of your matte tiles for the living room or any other room can be done every 3 to 4 months. Below you can find the deep cleaning process of your matte tiles.
- Fungus and mould can build up on the surface of your matte tiles. So, to remove that, you should use a concentrated solution of warm water and vinegar and spray it on the surface of your tiles. Once you've applied the solution, leave it for 20 to 25 minutes. Then, rinse clean water and mop the surface with a microfiber cloth. You don't want the water to seep through the tiles and damage the surface. So, dry the surface immediately.
- A surface patina may form on the tile due to hard water buildup. The tile's surface accumulates a layer of dirt and stains, making it appear dirty even after routine cleaning. Utilising a specialised tile cleaner enables you to free your tiles from the patina's hold and maintain their beautiful look.
Conclusion
Using quality cleaning products and proper processes, you can keep your matte finish tiles clean and maintain their look for years. If you can't decide which cleaning products are the best, you should get help from a professional. They will guide you with the best cleaning products.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some of the frequently asked questions with their answers that will help you understand the cleaning process of matte finish tiles in a better way.
Q1. What is the difference between matte finish and glossy tiles?
The main difference between matte finish and glossy tiles is that glossy tiles have a shiny surface and a glazed coating of liquid glass. On the other hand, matte tiles come with a rough and matte-like surface, making them look less shiny.
Q2. Which is better, matte or glossy tiles?
If you are looking for a slip-resistant surface, you should go for matte tiles. They are the ideal choice for bathroom flooring and other wet areas.
Q3. Are matte tiles suitable for the living room?
Matte finish tiles for living rooms, kitchen floors, bedrooms, and bathrooms come with a matte and non-slippery surface, making them ideal flooring solutions.
