How to clean matt tiles

A popular choice with many homeowners, matt tiling has a contemporary aesthetic and is used everywhere from bathrooms and hallways to kitchens and living rooms. Just like any surface, these tiles will need to be cleaned regularly to keep them looking their best. The matt surface doesn’t always show up dirt and dust as easily as gloss tiles but that doesn’t mean they don’t gather any … If you stay on top of cleaning, however, then they’ll stay looking pristine long into the future.

Dark matt tiles like the Norai Black Matt White Body Tile require frequent cleaning.

It should also be noted that, while stains might not show up as easily on matt tiling – thanks to the fact they don’t reflect light as much as gloss tiles – they tend to require more work to remove. This can take more than a simple wipe with a wet cloth, due to the more porous texture of the surface of matt tiles. It’s another reason why it’s best to stay on top of cleaning, as well as being prepared to put in a bit more elbow grease when you do so …

The following steps outline how to clean your matt tiles safely and effectively. Read to the end of the blog to find out our top tips!

Step-by-step guide to cleaning matt tiles

What you’ll need:

• Warm water
• Washing-up liquid (or baking soda, lemon juice, white vinegar – you can add a tablespoon of washing-up liquid along with a cup of white vinegar to a bucket of warm water, for example)
• Soft cloth or sponge for washing
• Soft cloth for initial ‘dry clean’
• Cloth for drying tiles after washing

Step one

Remove any surface dirt from the tiles before washing, using a soft cloth (or hoover/sweep).

Step two

Fill a basin with warm, soapy water. While you can use baking soda, white vinegar or lemon juice, we recommend warm soapy water, as this is the gentlest mixture and is kinder on surfaces.

Step three

Wet the cloth and rub it gently over the surface of the tiles to remove dirt and stains, adding more pressure for any more stubborn stains but being careful not to rub too hard in case of damage.

The Iron Tropic Brown Matt Rectified Porcelain Tile should be cleaned with warm soapy water.

Step four

Once you’re satisfied with how clean the tiles are, dry them immediately using a soft, clean cloth, making sure to wipe away any remaining residue. A microfibre cloth is great for this, as it’s more effective at picking up dirt.

Top tips

• Don’t use any harsh cleaning chemicals on your matt tiles, as these will damage the surface.
• Never use any waxes or other polishing/cleaning materials which aren’t designed for matt tiles, as this will risk damaging the surface and may cause staining.
• As matt tiles are porous and absorb water, be careful to wipe them dry after cleaning to ensure there is no dirt left behind to stain them.

Some matt tiles, like the Lancelot Gold Rectified Décor Matt tile, have a more textured surface, which requires careful cleaning.

• Because of the more porous nature of matt tiles, don’t use too much water when cleaning them, as they will absorb this and excess water could actually lead to damage, causing cracks.
• Always use a soft cloth to clean matt tiles – nothing abrasive like scourers, which can damage the surface.
• Deep-clean your matt tiles every three to six months to keep them looking their best. This will prevent mould from forming, particularly in bathrooms. Simply spray a mixture of white vinegar and warm water on the tiles and then leave for 15-30 minutes before wiping clean and drying the tiles off.

Browse our matt tiles at Bathshack

At Bathshack we supply a wide range of high-quality matt tiling, with lots of styles and colours available. We’re also happy to advise you on different products and what might work well in your home, as well as showing tiles which complement each other and addressing any other queries you might have.

Visit our website at bathshack.com to browse our range of high-quality matt tiling. Alternatively, if you have any questions, just email our team at info@bathshack.com, call us on (028) 9077 0188 or use our online chat.