When tackling a deep tile clean, wire brushes are often a popular choice. In fact, surprisingly, they’re often recommended on tile forums. However, they’re not the right solution for removing stubborn stains. A wire brush will scratch a natural stone tile and damage a cementitious grout joint, as well as any protective sealer applied. Despite being super robust, a wire implement will also dull a porcelain tile. In addition to the scratches caused, there’s also the added risk that they’ll leave rust marks. This happens because particles of iron get caught in the scratches and, when they get wet, turn orange and stain.
In order to repair a scratched natural stone surface, you’ll need to gently etch the tile with a professional treatment, clean the surface to remove residue, and then apply new protection. This three-stage procedure will also work for scuffs and scratches caused by dragging furniture or white goods across the surface.
Three-step renovation
During Phase I, apply ECOPROTEC Cement, Grout & Salt Residue Remover. This treatment features an acid-replacement solution, so it removes residue and mildly etches the stone, without causing damage. Dilute the solution 1:1 with cool water and carefully apply it to each tile, without overlapping from one tile to another. Then, agitate the tiles immediately using a black emulsifying pad. Care should be taken not to step on floor tiles during this phase. Tiles should then be rinsed immediately with cold water and a sponge, twice, using clean water each time. The surface should then be left to dry.
For Phase 2, we recommend ECOPROTEC Stone & Tile Intensive Cleaner, which is diluted 1:3 with cool water, applied across the surface and left to act for 15 minutes. This neutralises the surface. After applying, scrub the tiles and grout joint using a white emulsifying pad and then extract residues with a sponge or floor cleaner. Then, rinse the surface with clean water a second time, remove any remaining residue and leave the tiles to dry.
During Phase 3, a colour enhancing sealer is applied to restore the natural colour depth of the tiles. We recommend ECOPROTEC Colour Enhancing Stone Sealer. Apply it evenly with an applicator and allow the surface to dry naturally. After 45 minutes, buff the tiles with a microfibre cloth. The surface should then be left to dry for a minimum of 12 hours before being walked on and should not come into contact with water for a further three days. Underfloor heating should not be switched on throughout this process.
Ongoing maintenance
Going forward, tiles should always be cleaned with a gentle pH-neutral detergent. We recommend our ECOPROTEC Natural Stone & Porcelain Aftercare Cleaner for floors and ECOPROTEC Multi-Purpose Cleaner for wall tiles. Both will thoroughly clean while protecting the newly-applied sealer.
A regular routine cleaning regime will make ongoing maintenance easier and will retain the tile’s aesthetic. Most surfaces will benefit from a wet clean around once a week.
For more advice, browse ECOPROTEC TV on YouTube, contact the ECOPROTEC team direct on 01823 666213 or email technical@ecoprotec.co.uk
