In recent years, there has been a surge in the use of outdoor tiles, with many homeowners searching for a stylish and easy to maintain alternative to traditional slabs and concrete paving. Although tiles are a very durable and stylish addition to a garden, they will need regular care and cleaning to ensure they continue to look their best, especially at this time of year when leaves are falling from trees.
Porcelain outdoor tiles are a stunning addition to any outdoor space, and while we often take great care cleaning indoor tiles sometimes our outdoor tiles can be neglected. Thankfully, cleaning these outdoor tiles is a quick and simple job, as in comparison to traditional paving, much of the dirt, mould and algae can be removed with a hose, brush and cleaning solutions.
Tools and equipment
• A hard-bristled brush
• A bucket for mixing the cleaning solution
• A hose or pressure washer
• Rubber gloves
1. Remove surface debris
Before you dive straight into cleaning your outdoor tiles, the first step is to remove surface debris, such as leaves, twigs and stones using a hard-bristled brush. If you own a leaf blower, you may find that it makes light work of this job if the leaves are crisp and dry. The idea is to remove as much of the debris as possible, so that nothing is in the way of your cleaning chemicals.
2. Remove stains from outdoor tiles
Once the surface is free from debris, it is time to tackle the organic stains on the tiles such as moss and algae. Firstly, rinse down the surface of the tiles using a pressure washer or hose to remove surface dirt. Next, use a hard-bristled brush and an outdoor tile cleaning solution to clean a section of the tiles at a time, as this will allow you to concentrate your efforts. Once the entire area is clean, remove any remaining residue using a hose or pressure washer.
3. Clean tough stains
If there are any stains remaining, try to reclean the areas with a higher concentration of the cleaning solution. For stains such as oil, limescale and wax, you are likely to need a specialist cleaning product which can be left to soak into the area before cleaning with a stiff brush. However, always follow the manufacturer’s instructions to avoid damaging your tiles.
4. Clean grout joints
Although your tiles may be clean now, dirty grout lines will spoil the finish, so it is important to remove any dirt and grime from these lines. Look for a cleaner which is tough enough to remove mould, organic stains and grease, without causing any damage to your tiles. The majority of cleaners can be applied to the grout lines, before using a hard-bristled brush to remove dirt and stains.
5. Protect your outdoor tiles
The majority of outdoor tiles are manufactured using durable 20mm porcelain, so they will be designed to stay looking great. However, if you want to save yourself some cleaning time, we recommend adding a layer of sealant to the tiles which will create a protective barrier against dirt, stains and sun damage.
We hope this guide will help you to clean and protect your outdoor tiled area, so that when the sun does shine again, you will be able to relax and enjoy your outdoor space. If you require any further advice or would like look to find out more about our large wholesale product range, please contact our sales team today.