Old tiles (original) on doorstep of London Victorian House- is there anything I can do to restore them?

[Wiifitmama]

They are faded but you can still see that they would have been vibrant and lovely once. Do I assume that they have just faded and worn out? Or is there something I can do to restore them? I would love to have them replaced and lovely again, but can't afford it. So anything DIY would be great!

Can you post a photo?

Yes, we really do need a photo. Are they glazed or more like quarry tiles?

I will have to take a photo tomorrow as we are notnmoved back in yet after a big refurb I have no idea what they are made of though. They don't look glazed.

If they are the typical Victorian encaustic tiles, then there is advice from the Tile and Architectural Ceramics Society here.

they are probably encaustic tiles. Here is another advice page period living article.

I think the main thing is to avoid using pressure wash or harsh scourers or chemicals. The vibrancy is brought back to some extent by cleaning out the ingrained dirt. seems to be mixed advice re waxing at the end of the process - waxing will make the colours more vibrant.

Here they are. Filthy dirty because of the refurb but I think they are original?

Just gave them a quick wash and look!

They look like Minton tiles, you can google and get a few answer from people who live in Victorian properties, including a step by step plan to restore them yourself.

They're beautiful op! I would ask at a reclamation yard, they should be able to advise.

Oh wow! THose should come up beautifully.

Definitely encaustic and it looks like they are in good nick (not all chipped and cracked like mine!) I think that big central one should have some sort of a pattern once cleaned up further. They will be great, just treat with TLC.

Thanks all. I have ordered some Vulpex soap as recommended in one of the links and will get a scrubbing brush and get down on my hands and knees and see what I can do!

It would be great if the central star did have a pattern underneath but it is really worn down in that part so not sure.

You'll need to post before and after photos once you've had a go st renovating them

Yes please post before and after pics. I have no advise but I'm jealous you have these original tiles!

As promised, here is a photo after I used the soap. We had the door replaced yesterday post build so I was waiting for that before trying to clean them. I want to have one more go at them tomorrow and then polish with beeswax. So I think they will look even better after that. The central star clearly did have some pattern on it - you can still see a little, but it appears to have worn away sadly.

That was really worth it! They look amazing

Final one after second clean and waxing

That was well worth the effort, they're beautiful!!

Thanks! I love them. But I don't want anyone walking on them - which is not exactly practical :) So I think I can see my future down on my knees scrubbing and waxing every so often. I actually felt like I was form Victorian times with my scrubbing brush - never done that before!

They look great.