Maintenance hard washable floor tiles

Professional tile cleaning product

Understanding the specific features of tiled, terracotta and marble floors

Tiles and terracotta tiles are fired clay building materials, known for their durability and warm aesthetic. However, their porous nature makes them more susceptible to the accumulation of dirt, stains and moisture . This porosity distinguishes them from modern PVC or linoleum floors, which require different maintenance products. Indeed, where modern PVC or linoleum floors require regular stripping , waxing (metallization) and maintenance using a single-brush spray method, tiles or marble require a different professional methodology and therefore different professional products.

Tiled floor

Tiles are often made from fired clay, ceramic, granite, porcelain stoneware, etc. Each type of tiled floor is the subject of a maintenance technical sheet that the installer must provide you with or that you can find from the manufacturer. This sheet recommends a maintenance method and generally recommended professional products without it being an absolute obligation to buy this targeted product. You will just have to ensure the characteristics of the recommended products in terms of pH in particular in order to find the right equivalences if necessary.
Tiling is by nature the easiest type of floor to maintain and therefore remains a predominant choice in the construction of collective buildings. Indeed, it allows simplified maintenance with a scrubber dryer or a single-brush machine and quick washing with a solution integrating a cleaning trolley and a washing system with mop and press.
However, the tiling must be of good quality because of course this will also determine its ease of maintenance and its resistance over time, particularly to heavy traffic.
When using a scrubber dryer , it will be necessary to take into account the depth of the joints and irregularities in the floor which can negatively affect the suction to make a dry floor.

Tiled floor

The tomette is a floor generally made of fired clay which is implanted in places favoring a touch of tradition. This type of floor generally needs to be nourished in order to regain its luster and ensure a minimum of waterproofing and this in order to prevent grease or liquids from penetrating into the heart of the tomette. If this type of floor is in a private home the risk will obviously be lower, but if this type of floor is a room hosting weddings or festive events, it will be necessary to regularly carry out a deep cleaning with non-aggressive professional solvent-based products to dissolve grease and dirt without attacking the floor and then nourish with waterproofing and water-repellent formulas.

Cleaning product for tiled floors - terracotta - marble

Voussert has been offering you a wide range of professional cleaning products for over 45 years to take care of tiled and terracotta floors. Each product has specific properties and methods of use, allowing it to respond to different situations.

The different product formulations

Linseed oil-based product: Linseed oil-based products are particularly appreciated for the maintenance of tiled and quarry tiles. Thanks to their nourishing and water-repellent properties, they allow you to clean in depth, protect against stains and humidity, restore color to your floor, and facilitate daily maintenance. In these cleaners, historically everyone knows for example Carolin which has proven itself in this type of linseed oil product.

Neutral cleaning product: For regular and gentle cleaning or on fragile floors, neutral cleaners based on black soap, baking soda or multi-purpose active tension or even light solvents are interesting options. They effectively remove dirt and grease without altering the surface of tiles and terracotta tiles.

Stripping or highly degreasing products: When floors are particularly dirty, the use of degreasing or stripping products may be necessary . These products, based on an alkaline base with a high pH or solvents, remove layers of wax, oil or paint accumulated over time. Of course, the use of a single-brush or scrubber-dryer , which will reinforce the mechanical action , will reduce the dilution of these products, which are aggressive by nature. In the case of limescale streaks, or even cement film left behind with the degradation of the joints, an acid-based product may be necessary. In all cases , alternation between basic chemistry and acid chemistry may always be necessary in order to avoid the formation of a biofilm or an accumulation of limescale deposits.

Waterproofing and water repellents: To protect tiled and quarry floors for a long time, the application of a waterproofing or water repellent product is recommended. These products form an invisible barrier that prevents the absorption of water, stains and dirt.

Specific products for non-foaming floor scrubbers

Using a scrubber will significantly improve your efficiency both in terms of mechanical action and performance. However, it is essential to use a non-foaming professional floor care product because the dirty water sucked up containing detergent could saturate your scrubber's dirty water tank by the foam phenomenon . The products are identified with the logo of a scrubber to validate the fact that their use is compatible with a scrubber . Beyond the foam phenomenon, the composition of the product with chlorine or acids in too high a concentration could damage your machine.

Cleaning and maintenance of marble floors

Marble is a "living" stone and therefore marble cleaning and treatment products must be specifically formulated for this type of surface. They avoid aggressive agents that could alter or dull the marble's finish.
Marble crystallization: The restoration of marble is done by an operation called crystallization. As this word indicates, the objective is to create a superficial protective layer on the marble by creating a reaction between an acid-based product, the marble crystals and this using a low-speed single-brush machine and a steel wool disc or disc from the 3M crystallization range.
Regular maintenance of marble: As with tiles and terracotta, regular maintenance of marble is essential. Weekly or monthly cleaning, depending on the intensity of traffic, will help preserve the beauty of the floor.

Frequently Asked Questions About Floor Cleaning

Why can tiled, terracotta and marble floors leave marks after cleaning?

Although these materials are known for their strength and aesthetics, their porous structure makes them vulnerable to marks and stains during cleaning. The small openings and gaps present on the surface of these natural stones can indeed retain dirt, dust and even residue from certain cleaning products. In addition, certain aggressive products such as vinegar or lemon can react with the minerals in the marble and accentuate unwanted marks.

What cleaning products should be avoided on tiled, terracotta or marble floors?

Some common household products can be particularly harmful to these types of flooring:
Acidic products (vinegar, lemon): they react with the marble minerals and cause irreversible damage.
Abrasive products: they may scratch the surface, especially on black marble.
Ammonia-based products: they weaken the structure and shine of the marble.
Bleach or chlorine-based product: too aggressive, it discolors and leaves marks.