Porcelain is made from fine clay. They are resistant to freezing, gouges, wear, and moisture. Most porcelain tiles have a gloss glaze coating to prevent them from absorbing fluids. However, if your porcelain matte is unglazed, there are various ways you can give them that shiny look.
How can you make matte porcelain tiles shiny? The use of wax, glossy ceramic tile sealer with alternatives of baking soda, soapy water, ammonia-water mixture, and vinegar solution is perfect for restoring the shiny nature of these tiles.
Join us as we take you through how you can polish your ceramic tiles/ porcelain tiles and what you can use because different floors call for various cleaning and polishing methods. Let’s get started!
What about Matte Porcelain Tiles?
Porcelain tiles are available in three types: glazed, textured, and unpolished tile/matte. Nevertheless, they all have similar cleaning and polishing procedures with a slight difference in the textured type, requiring extra scrubbing to get into the grooves and edges.
When you first lay the matte porcelain tiles, they look smooth and shiny. Nonetheless, over time, they wear down looking dull due to grout discoloration, soap leftover, or cleaning solution residue. The good news is that you can polish them to make them shiny again.
Table of Contents
How To Make Matte Porcelain Tile Shiny
A Top Sealer
Since many sealers are available, choose the one specifically for porcelain tiles. That way, it will excellently bond with the tile offering a natural sheen look. The sealer will also protect the floor and the grout.
How to Add the Topical Sealer
Step 1: Clean the Tiles
Supplies
- A bucket of warm water
- A mop
- A scrub
- Vinegar
- Brush/Vacuum
- Sealer
The first step is to sweep or vacuum the floor to remove all dust, grime, or debris, paying attention to the corners, the grouts between the tiles, and the edges to avoid getting stuck beneath the sealer.
Mop
Add a few drops of dish soap to a bucket of warm water and mix the solution with a mop to form a lather. Squeeze the mop of the excess water and run it over the tiles evenly while ensuring the corners and the grout lines are adequately cleaned.
Scrub
Scrub the grout to remove stains and grime with a toothbrush and the cleaning mixture. Remember not to use a metal or wire brush as it ruins the grout.
Rinse
Take another bucket of clean water to rinse the soap residue from the tiles’ surface. Do the rinsing cautiously, ensuring all soap is removed from the tiles to avoid the residue affecting the sealer’s adhesion.
Dry
Let the tiles sit for a minimum of six hours.
Apply the Sealer
After that, apply the sealer. Ensure you follow the instructions on the label and use the right tools to spread the sealer, wiping away any puddles that might build up on the porcelain floor.
Allow it to dry. You can speed up the drying process by turning on the fan for 30 minutes to wholly cure. You can always apply the second coat, ensuring it is even and consistent. You can repeat the procedure until you achieve your desired taste.
Finally, your matte porcelain tiles should be shiny. However, routinely cleaning will help keep the tiles luster.
Tip: The same procedure used in applying the sealer is similar when applying wax or gloss with a bit of modification. For instance, mix the warm with ¼ cup of white vinegar solution to clean the floor regarding gloss application.
However, every application demands a thorough cleaning of the floor and completely dry before applying the sealer, wax, or gloss.
Other Ways to Keep the Matte Porcelain Tiles Shiny
You may be in a position where you can’t afford wax or sealer. Other home remedies are available in the local stores or even right in your kitchen pantry. Here are a few examples:
Use of soapy water
Use the procedure explained in the cleaning part before applying the sealer above. Remember to rinse the tiles with clean water and dry the surface afterward.
Baking Soda
For dirt and stains, baking soda is perfect. In a clean bucket with 2 gallons of warm water, a tablespoon of liquid dishwashing soap, add ¼ cup of baking soda and ¼ cup of white vinegar. Add some drops of essential oils to the solution for a fresh scent.
Smear the mixture on the floor and let it sit for around 10 minutes before you clean it using fresh water.
Vinegar
Ensure the floor is vacuumed or swept clean, and there is enough ventilation in the room. In a mop bucket, pour 2 gallons of water and mix ½ cup of white vinegar. Press in the mop and twist to remove the excess water.
Thoroughly run the mop over your tiles to remove the dirt. Use the towel to dry mop the floor to remove any moisture left.
Ammonia-Water Mixture
The solution of ammonia and water is among the best cleaners that remove stains and add some shine to the floor. Take a bucket of warm water, add a few drops of ammonia, and mix well.
Put in the mop and wring the extra water, then mop thoroughly to remove all the dirt and stains, and disinfect the floor. Afterward, use clean water to rinse the floor and dry-mop.
Maintenance Tips for Tile Floor
Remember that porcelain tiles come in a variety–glazed and unglazed. Glazed tiles are dazzling and easy to clean, while unglazed tiles tend to accumulate dirt and stains, thus posing a challenge when cleaning.
Over time tiles get discolored. Therefore, always adding ammonia to the cleaning water will help maintain their shiny look.
Never use bleach as it brightens and weakens your grout exposing it to water damage.
If the grout of the porcelain tiles is scratched, the tiles won’t shine. Therefore, ensure you don’t scuff the surface and avoid using abrasive substances.
Can Matte Porcelain Tiles Be Shiny?
Matte porcelain tiles are easy to clean, thus not requiring frequent cleaning, but if not well maintained, they discolor and become dull. Restore their gleam by trying various methods, like sealant, gloss, or wax, as this piece explains. Try even the other simple and inexpensive options to boost the look of your porcelain flooring.