Does vinegar damage porcelain tile? Wherever you look on the internet, DIY hacks and recipes all call for vinegar to clean up tough stains on porcelain tiles. But will your precious tiles remain safe from the harsh acidic nature of vinegar?
Does Vinegar Damage Porcelain Tile?
Vinegar indeed damages tiles including porcelain tiles. Just imagine if vinegar was not damaging for tiles. Would there be any need for numerous specialist tile cleaning products that are painstakingly formulated for cleaning efficacy and tile safety? Would untold numbers of these products occupy shelves in supermarkets and hardware stores if vinegar was such a miracle? Indeed, not.
Experts strongly advise against using vinegar for cleaning porcelain tiles. The harsh acidic action of vinegar can be harmful for the grout and glazing on your porcelain tiles.
Vinegar can be detrimental for the glaze or any other surface treatment on your tiles. The acid will eat away at this protective barrier and expose your tiles to all sorts of potential problems.
To begin with, your tiles may lose their luster due to erosion of surface treatment on your tiles. In the absence of this protective barrier, your tiles face a much higher risk of discoloration.
What to Do with Stained Porcelain Tiles
Instead of trying out amateurish dangerous hacks that can do more harm than good it is much better to consult with the experts. Experts will know which high grade solution will work for your stained porcelain tiles. If vinegar were really that effective and safe, experts would not need to really on specially formulated cleaning products to remove stains. Nor would these cleaning products be renowned for their tile cleaning efficacy and safety.
Before trying out anything, it is always best to refer to the manufacturer directions. You should go to the manufacturer website or manual for further directions. Chances are you will most certainly not find any recommendation for cleaning up your tiles with vinegar.
To keep on the safe side, you should not try to use any other substances beside soap and water for your porcelain tiles. You can also use cleaning products approved by the manufacturer.
Porcelain tiles are a great choice because they are easy to clean up. To keep your porcelain floor looking shiny and sparkling clean, you can vacuum or sweep it twice a week. After that, you can finish it up with a damp mop for a clean porcelain floor.
Besides avoiding ammonia, you should also avoid harsh chemicals like ammonia and bleach. These substances are detrimental for the protective surface finish of your porcelain tiles and the grout.
The Solution for Cleaning Up Porcelain Tiles
If your porcelain tiles have a stain or the grout starts looking grubby, instead of risking DIY, it is best to request professional assistance. The experts know what chemicals will work best for your porcelain tiles. They are aware of the brands and chemical solutions that are safe for porcelain and that clean up stains effectively.
Does your porcelain tile floor have stains? Is the grout in bad condition? In that case, you will benefit from the assistance of trustworthy professionals.
