5 Common Mistakes with Porcelain Tiles
5 Common Mistakes with Porcelain Tiles
Porcelain is low-maintenance by nature, but that leads to complacency. These mistakes are surprisingly common - and some are hard to reverse on such a dense material.
Mistake #1
Not removing grout haze after installation
Why this is a problem
Porcelain's ultra-smooth surface makes grout haze very visible. If left more than a few days, the cement bonds to the surface and normal cleaning won't shift it.
How to fix it
Use Lithofin KF Cement Residue Remover within the first week. After that, you may need multiple applications with extended dwell time.
Prevention
Clean grout residue within 24-48 hours of grouting. Wipe tiles with a damp sponge as you grout.
Mistake #2
Using bleach on coloured grout joints
Why this is a problem
People clean porcelain tiles with bleach and wonder why the grout fades. Bleach doesn't harm porcelain, but it strips colour from grout joints, creating a patchy appearance.
How to fix it
Re-grouting or grout colouring pens can restore the original colour.
Prevention
Use Lithofin KF Intensive Cleaner for deep cleaning porcelain - it's effective on tiles without bleaching grout.
Mistake #3
Thinking unglazed porcelain can't stain
Why this is a problem
Unglazed porcelain (like many outdoor tiles) has micro-pores that absorb red wine, coffee, and rust. The stain resistance of glazed porcelain does NOT apply to unglazed surfaces.
How to fix it
Lithofin KF Stain-Stop penetrates the micro-pores and can sometimes lift stains. For rust, use Lithofin Rust-Ex.
Prevention
Seal unglazed porcelain with Lithofin KF Stain-Stop. It makes cleaning much easier.
Mistake #4
Using wax or polish on porcelain floors
Why this is a problem
Porcelain doesn't need wax - its surface is already vitrified. Wax creates a film that attracts dirt, makes the floor slippery, and builds up into a yellow, sticky layer over time.
How to fix it
Strip the wax with Lithofin Wax-Off. It may take 2-3 applications for heavy buildup.
Prevention
Clean porcelain with Lithofin KF Wash & Clean only. No wax, no polish, no coatings.
Mistake #5
Using steel wool on textured porcelain
Why this is a problem
Textured porcelain tiles have microscopic ridges that trap steel wool fragments. These metal particles rust in contact with water, creating orange stains that look like the porcelain itself is rusting.
How to fix it
Remove rust stains with Lithofin Rust-Ex. Apply, let dwell 15 minutes, then scrub with a nylon brush.
Prevention
Only use nylon brushes or microfibre cloths on porcelain. Avoid any metal cleaning tools.
Need help with Porcelain Tiles?
Use the LithoFinder wizard to find the right product for your porcelain tiles surface, or read the full Porcelain Tiles care guide.