How to clean old tiles?

The old floors are characterized by their design, color and their liveliness. Thanks to their uniqueness, they bring a special touch to the home. If you have this type of tile at home and wonder how to clean the old floor, you have come to the perfect article. Here, we provide you with the keys to help you recover the color of the tiles, polish the old floor and leave it as new. Next, we give you the best tips to know how to clean old tiles and make them shine. Take note!

How to clean old tiles?

Before cleaning an old floor, it is important to know the most important characteristics of these tiles. For example, the time they have been installed or the type of stain that we want to eliminate. We will not use the same method and will have to adapt to the needs of the floor itself. Read more: How to clean a grinder?

To clean a newly installed old floor and start maintenance tasks, you will only need a special old mosaic cleaner that you must dilute with water. Then, with the help of a mop or cloth, you will spread the product over the tiles so that they are soaked in the product. Then scrub with a scrubber, brush, or rotary machine. Finally, rinse with a clean mop to finish removing all the dirt.

If it is an old tile, cleaning and maintenance will be essential to restore the color of the tiles. For this type of floor, you should clean it with a stripper stain remover degreaser. The cleaning procedure is the same as for a newly installed old floor, with the only difference being that it is preferable to let the product act on the tiles for a few minutes before rubbing and removing the dirt. In this way, you will be able to soften the dirt to remove it more easily.

While it is true that it is a specific cleaning task, washing the tiles will leave the tiles sparkling and help to recover and maintain the color. In the usual routine of cleaning old floors, remember to always look for products that are grateful for this type of tile.

Old floor protection is essential for good maintenance. After deep cleaning, the tiles will be exposed to moisture and stains, so we recommend applying a conservation and protection treatment to these floors, ancient ones. Thanks to the application of the protector, you will be able to saturate the tiles’ porosity and prevent them from absorbing stains.

For protection, you have two options :

1. Transparent stain protector for old mosaic: with this product, you will preserve the natural hue of the tiles without giving them an extra shine. The floor will have a matte finish. The application is simple since it is applied undiluted directly with a brush.
2. Wet look stain protector for old mosaic: this product will allow you to intensify the tone of the tiles by providing an extra satin shine. It is applied undiluted using a brush.

Whatever product you use, to ensure you adequately protect the old tiles, we recommend giving it a second coat one hour after applying the first. Remember that it is important not to step on the ground while it dries (about 24 hours).

How to polish old tiles?

With time, old tiles lose the vivid color of their mosaic and also part of their shine. To restore the shine to old tiles, in addition to maintaining a daily cleaning and maintenance routine, you can carry out specific treatments and use products that allow you to recover the original shine of the tiles.

Polishing old floor

The previous step to polishing the tiles is to polish the old floor to leave the surface smooth, clean and shiny. To achieve this, you can use specific polishing products and dilute them in water.

Afterward, you should rub the tiles with this solution, let it act for a few minutes and rinse the floor with a mop and clean water.
Once the floor is clean and polished, you should let it dry for 24 hours.

Polish old tiles

After the drying time has elapsed once the floor has been polished, you will see that the tiles have already recovered part of their original shine and color. However, suppose you want a perfect finish. In that case, we recommend opting for specific old tile polishing products that, in addition to protecting the floor and giving it a smooth and shiny finish, will help you recover the color of the tiles by accentuating their natural hue intensifying their color.

To apply these products, it is recommended to use a roller like the one used for varnishing and lacquering, approximately 20 cm long.
Apply the polish, making sure it doesn’t foam, and let it dry for an hour. Then apply another coat and let it dry for 24 hours.

Wax the floor

For perfect results, we recommend finishing the polish by waxing the floor. Although it is an optional step, it will add a much more intense and uniform shine to the old floor, as well as a soft and silky touch. For this, you can use special liquid wax for ancient mosaics.

Applying it is simple. You just have to use a broad brush and spread the wax without diluting. Afterward, let the soil dry for an hour and avoid stepping on it during this time. Waxing will also facilitate the daily maintenance of your old tiles.

Other tips

In addition to the use of special products, including vinegar in your cleaning tasks will allow you to give your old tiles a natural shine. Remember that vinegar should always be diluted in warm water before applying it to the tiles. The cleaning properties of this natural product will help you remove dirt and grease. Another trick is to use detergent or bath gel diluted in warm water. This mixture is ideal for scrubbing the floor and bringing out the true shine of your tiles. Both tricks are very effective if you apply them frequently on your old tiles. You will notice the difference!

Now that you know all the steps of the old floor cleaning routine, it is important to consider certain tips that will allow you to clean your tiles more effectively and efficiently to keep your floor well cared for much longer. Take note of the following tips to clean your old tiles:

Cleaning routine

Although we have explained how to clean your tiles thoroughly, you should know that they will require daily maintenance that you can do with soap and water. With this mixture, you will get rid of small stains, dust or subtle residues that can remain on the floor from daily use.

On the other hand, if the floor does not have any stains or does not require a specific cleaning, you can use a dust trapping mop, which will also be effective to remove debris in a simple, fast and efficient way.

Dusting

Dust is a common enemy that tends to settle on any soil. To avoid dust accumulation, you should include a broom or a vacuum cleaner in your cleaning routine. In this way, you will reduce the risk of scratching the old tile and keep it clean and in perfect condition for longer. If the tiles are on the wall, you will need to pay special attention to the corners.

Recommended products

The delicacy of old floors makes it very important to control the product you will use to clean it. There are specific products that will allow you to obtain perfect results and it is important to avoid aggressive products such as bleach or other chemicals. The three natural allies to keep old tiles shiny and like new are:

Water. It is the best method to disinfect, especially if you use its steam. Through the steam of the water, you will remove light stains thanks to the high temperatures. The steam iron or steamer will be a great ally when cleaning tiles.

Baking soda. There is nothing that helps clean more than baking soda. In case your tiles have difficult stains you can use a jet of baking soda and rub the stain with a brush to catch all the dirt quickly.

Vinegar. Apple cider vinegar also has disinfectant properties when it comes to cleaning. We encourage you to use it to help keep your tiles clean. To use this product properly you must dissolve it in water.

Products not recommended

Although we have already discussed the recommended products to carry out the old floor cleaning routine, take note of those products that are not recommended for this mission:

Ammonia. Although it can be used on normal soils, it is not recommended in old ones due to its aggressiveness.

Bleach. Although it is one of the flagship products for cleaning floors, it contains sodium hypochlorite, an ingredient with a bleaching effect. However, it could be harmful to floors with old mosaic tiles since its aggressiveness could damage and mistreat the material, providing terrible results.

Cleaning accessories

To take care of your old tiles while cleaning them properly, we advise you to bet on three perfect accessories for this:

Sponge. It is one of the best materials. Its softness will allow you to remove dirt while obtaining a perfect result and an unparalleled shine. In addition, the sponge will allow you to remove deep stains. The rough side of the sponge will serve to remove grease or mold stains.

Cotton rag. If you want to get the maximum shine out of your old tiles, the cotton cloth will be your great ally.

Toothbrush. It will help you remove deeply encrusted stains such as rust or mold.