How to clean these porch tiles?

[Paddingtonthebear]

They are very old and grubby. I've tried scrubbing with detergent and i've tried a steam mop. Is there anything else that might spruce them up?

[LBOCS2]

What are they made of?

I'd try a weak solution of caustic soda but to be honest that's my solution to everything so it's not based on any particular knowledge of this sort of cleaning...

[VulcanWoman]

Diluted bleach maybe, is the dirt ingrained into the scratches.
White spirit/turps rubbed in with cloth, then wash well with hot soapy water.
White vinegar might do the trick.

[gaggiagirl]

Cif cream. Leave it on for a bit.
I had a similar thread a few months ago. Mnetters were very helpful but I've mostly forgotten everything I learned before baby arrived! I'll see I I can find the link.

[wowfudge]

They need stripping, cleaning and re-sealing. If they haven't been looked after in the past, you might struggle to get them properly clean. Please don't use anything as aggressive as caustic soda though. Maybe try one of the HG products - B&Q sell them - or Lakeland may have something.

[VulcanWoman]

I'd guess they're ceramic, they're not old ones by the looks of it. They don't make tiles like they used to unfortunately.

[Paddingtonthebear]

Not sure what tiles they are, house is rented so they can't be removed, the tiles have been there for years apparently.

[wowfudge]

In that case I wouldn't go mad - it's the porch not the hall. The inventory correctly states their condition I take it?

[Paddingtonthebear]

Yep. Can't see the landlord being bothered. I would just like them to look a bit nicer!

[SpeechlessInSeattle]

Try this link op.......

tilesoc.org.uk/tacs/index.php/.../cleaning-victorian-encaustic-floor-tiles/

[SpeechlessInSeattle]

Try again....

tilesoc.org.uk/tacs/index.php/.../cleaning-victorian-encaustic-floor-tiles/

[SpeechlessInSeattle]

Sorry - it doesn't seem to want to give an active link - but it is, as I've just been reading it. Your tiles look Victorian, so this seems to be the right method to try.


Cleaning Victorian Encaustic and Geometric Floor Tiles ...
tilesoc.org.uk/tacs/index.php/.../cleaning-victorian-encaustic-floor-tiles/

[gladisgood]

I use biological washing liquid + warm water in a mop bucket - about 1/3 of a bottle in a quarter full bucket of water. ( waitrose own brand works better for this than persil, I've found!)

Apply VERY liberally. Leave for an hour.

Mop with clean water until it "rinses clean."

Ta da!

[Paddingtonthebear]

Ok brill, thanks!

[JT05]

Try distilled white vinegar, neat. The pong goes quite quickly! It got ingrained soot off limestone fireplace tiles.