For many of us, a garden is the extension of our living space. Porcelain paving slabs are the perfect choice for gardens and patios because they are easy to clean, low maintenance, and look effortlessly beautiful.
What you'll need to clean porcelain paving
Cleaning your porcelain won’t require too many tools or materials. Some people opt for oil-based wax cleaners or detergents, but we’d advise against this. Instead, gather the following:
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Bucket
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Warm water
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Mild detergent or soap
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Stiff bristled scrub brush
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Garden hose or water for rinsing
Warm soapy water is generally enough to remove dirt, debris, and grime. That’s the beauty of porcelain.
Best brush type for cleaning porcelain paving
For cleaning/scrubbing porcelain paving, you need a brush which won’t leave abrasive stains or marks. As a result, we’d recommend a non-metallic, stiff-bristled garden or deck brush.
Porcelain tiles are stylish, dense and non-porous, so dirt generally sits on top of the slabs. This is why there’s no need for aggressive metal bristles which could lead to staining or damage.
Can you use bleach to clean porcelain paving?
It is highly recommended that you avoid using bleach or other harsh chemicals to clean porcelain paving. Despite being highly durable, porcelain, and the grouting between tiles, can be weakened and discoloured by bleach. Cleaning porcelain tiles shouldn't change their colour.
On top of this, the non-porous nature of porcelain means that bleach isn’t necessary anyway. Soapy water is usually more than enough.
How to clean porcelain slabs - step by step
Cleaning porcelain tiles is usually relatively straightforward process, and won't require too much time or effort. Follow our step-by-step process:
- Clear and sweep - Begin by removing furniture, plant pots, BBQs, and whatever else may be sitting atop your tiles. Then remove loose dirt and surface level debris using a soft-bristled brush to clear the area for cleaning.
- Apply soapy water and scrub - Add a small amount of liquid detergent or dish soap into a bucket of warm water and mix thoroughly. Using your brush, work the water across/into the surface of your slabs. For stubborn stains, you may need to allow the soapy water to sit for ten minutes. This may be especially important on white porcelain.
- Rinse thoroughly - Using a garden hose, or buckets of clean and cool water, rinse all of the soap from the surface of the porcelain. Missing this step risks leaving a sticky layer of film which can attract dirt much faster.
- (Optional) use a pressure washer - For a deep clean, it is possible to use a pressure washer, but proceed with caution. Use a wide fan tip to avoid damage, and keep at least 30cm distance between the nozzle and the slabs.
- Air dry - Allowing the surface to air dry in natural sunlight is perfectly fine.
Porcelain slab maintenance tips
To maintain your porcelain slabs, ensuring they stay in good condition for as long as possible, we'd recommend a few tips.
First of all, regularly dry-sweep your porcelain areas on a regular basis, weekly if possible. Preventing a heavy build up of dirt, grime, or leaves is the easiest way to avoid needing a deeper clean at any point.
Also, it's important that you clean spills quickly. Whether it's greasy bbq food or alcohol, wipe it up as soon as possible. Porcelain is generally stain resistant, but allowing stains to sit means they can set on the surface of your tiles.
Our featured porcelain slabs
Our volcano white tiles are ideal to subtly blend colours with other materials such as wood and garden foliage. It's ideal for patios, pathways, balconies, and much more. Shop now.
Hard brown wood effect tiles are a great option for replicating the natural look of real hard-wood flooring with special attention to authentic grains and textures. Ideal for a seamless indoor-outdoor transition.
For a more modern look, the Rasa Nero tiles are black-based porcelain slabs with white veining, mimicing a popular European marble look.
With valuable experience distributing porcelain paving, we are able to help you achieve the perfect patio, garden, or home interior with our products. Contact us and we will discuss your specific needs today.
