How to clean your porcelain patio tiles

By / August 28th, 2024 / There are currently 0 comments

Whether you’ve just refreshed your garden with new porcelain patio tiles and they’ve had their first staining incident, or you’ve moved into your new home and the porcelain patio tiles have seen better days, Build & Plumb is here to help you restore them to their former glory with our deep cleaning tips and tricks.

Whether your porcelain patio tiles are old or new, they’ll inevitably get dirty whatever you do. We’re here to offer you the knowledge and skills to keep your porcelain patio looking as good as the day it was installed. Just follow the easy steps below for a gleaming porcelain patio.

Table of contents:

Porcelain cleaner & sanitiser
Pavestone patio cleaner

How to clean porcelain patio tiles

Before starting your patio cleaning, ensure you have the following items.

How do I remove the mud stains from my new porcelain patio tiles?

Steps: How do I remove the mud stains from my new porcelain patio tiles?

  1. Remove loose debris: Sweep the porcelain tiles with a broom or vacuum to remove dirt, leaves and other debris.
  2. Prepare cleaning solution: Mix a PH-neutral cleaner or mild dish soap in a bucket. Avoid acidic or abrasive cleaners, as they can damage the natural stone.
  3. Initial wash: For general dirt and grime, use your garden hose or jet wash to wet the tiles to help loosen any stuck-on mud.
  4. Scrub the tiles: Dip your soft-bristled brush or sponge into your cleaning solution. Scrub the tiles gently to remove dirt and stains. You can also use a mixture of water and white vinegar (1:1 ratio) or make a paste with baking soda and water for stubborn markings and mud. Apply the solutions to the stain, let them sit for a few minutes, then scrub.
  5. Rinse thoroughly: Rinse the tiles with clean water to remove any soapy residue. If opting for pressure washing, ensure it’s set to low-medium pressure to avoid damaging the tiles.
  6. Dry the tiles: Allow the tiles to air dry. You can use a clean, dry mop or towels to speed up the drying process.  

Top cleaning tips for porcelain patio tiles

  • Regular maintenance is key! Porcelain patio tiles are usually light in colour, so they can get dirty quickly and easily. Sweep or rinse the patio regularly to prevent dirt buildup, soil, bird droppings, petals, berries and dead leaves staining the tiles. Ensure your patio is clear of fallen leaves, especially in autumn and winter.
  • Clean up spills immediately to avoid staining the tiles.
  • Use outdoor mats and rugs at entry points to reduce the amount of dirt tracked onto your tiles.
How to get rust off porcelain patio tiles

How to get rust off porcelain patio tiles

Leaving your metal garden furniture on your porcelain patio in winter or during heavy rain can lead to dreadful rust stains on your pristine patio. Rust is a particularly hard stain to get out, especially from pure white porcelain patio tiles. You can try a few home remedies or commercial options if they don’t do the trick.

Lemon juice and baking soda

First, see if you can lift the stain using things you have in your kitchen cupboards.

  1. Mix lemon juice and baking soda to form a thick paste.
  2. Apply the paste over the stained area.
  3. Allow it to sit for 10-15 minutes.
  4. Use a soft-bristled brush or sponge to scrub the area gently.
  5. Rinse the area with clean water and dry it with a cloth.

Vinegar and baking soda

If the lemon and baking soda doesn’t work, try the vinegar and baking soda method.

  1. Sprinkle baking soda directly onto the rust stain.
  2. Pour white vinegar over the baking soda and watch it fizz.
  3. After the fizzing stops, brush or sponge scrub the area.
  4. Rinse with clean water and dry the area.
Rusty porcelain patio tiles

Cream of tartar and hydrogen peroxide

If the stain persists, try mixing cream of tartar and hydrogen peroxide into a paste.

  1. Apply the paste to the rust stain.
  2. Let it sit for about 30 minutes.
  3. Use a soft brush to scrub the area.
  4. Rinse with water and dry.

Oxalic acid

If these methods are too mild, try using oxalic acid.

  1. Dilute the oxalic acid with water according to the instructions.
  2. Apply the solution to the rust stain.
  3. Let the solution sit for the recommended amount of time.
  4. Gently scrub the stain with a soft brush.
  5. Rise thoroughly with water and dry the tiles.

Commercial rust remover

If these home remedies don’t work, we recommend investing in a commercial rust remover. We recommend using Pavestone Rust Stain Remover as it’s safe to use on porcelain tiles.

  1. Follow the instructions on the product and apply it to the rust stain.
  2. Allow the product to sit for the recommended amount of time.
  3. Gently scrub the area with a soft brush or sponge.
  4. Rinse thoroughly with water and dry the tiles.
Pavestone rust stain remover

Pavestone Rust Stain Remover is one of the best-selling rust cleaning products in the UK, and with high-performance rapid action, you can be assured that this will help make your porcelain patio tiles look pristine. Enjoy the organic water-based formula with the peace of mind that this product won’t damage your tiles.

Always test any cleaning solution on a small, inconspicuous tile area to ensure it does not cause damage or discolouration. Always wear gloves and eye protection when using acidic or commercial cleaners.

Porcelain patio tiles and cleaning solutions at Build & Plumb

Whether you want to refresh your porcelain patio during your spring cleaning, have some stubborn stains to lift, or give it a routine scrub, at Build & Plumb, we have the tools and knowledge for cleaning outdoor porcelain tiles, making them look fantastic.

For more outdoor porcelain tile cleaners, browse our Sealers & Cleaners collection here at Build & Plumb, with everything you need to keep your patio pristine. Or, if this blog has inspired you and you can see how easy it is to maintain a porcelain patio, browse our porcelain patio tiles here at Build & Plumb and create the outdoor space of your dreams.  

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