How to Remove Stains on Porcelain Tiles

Porcelain tile is often found decorating your kitchen or bathroom.

Porcelain tiles are sturdy and strong, adding a decorative touch to your kitchen or bath. For the most part, porcelain tiles are stain resistant and easy to keep clean with regular, daily care. Stains and spills happen, though, and food, grease or dirt marks can be left on your porcelain tiles. Remove stains from your porcelain tiles with care and products that will lift the stains without scratching the porcelain surface.

Things You'll Need

• 2 tbsp. trisodium phosphate
• Water
• Bucket
• Rubber gloves
• Cleaning cloths
• Hydrogen peroxide

Instructions

1. Mix 2 tbsp. trisodium phosphate in 1 qt. of warm water in a bucket. Put rubber gloves on so your hands don't become irritated by the cleaner.

2. Soak a clean cloth in the phosphate cleaning solution. Wring out the excess liquid. Wipe the stained area on your porcelain tile with the phosphate solution.

3. Allow the cleaning solution to sit on food, dirt or grease stains for a couple minutes. Rinse your cleaning cloth off with plain water, then soak it in the phosphate solution again. Scrub at the stain again with the solution.

4. Dampen a clean cloth with plain, cool water. Wipe away the trisodium phosphate solution and any stained areas on your porcelain tiles.

5. 

   Old terry cloth towels come in handy when cleaning stains from porcelain tile.

   Tackle any stubborn stain areas that remain by pouring hydrogen peroxide onto a clean cloth and wiping at the stain. Immediately remove the hydrogen peroxide by rinsing the stained area with a cloth dampened in plain water. Dry the porcelain tile with a plain, dry cloth.

Tips & Warnings

• Keep a sponge handy to wipe up spills on contact so they don't have time to form a stain on your porcelain tile.

• Bleaching agents are fine to use to remove stains on your porcelain tile but must be applied and then wiped up immediately so they don't harm the surface.

References

• Porcelain Enamel Institute: Care and Cleaning of Porcelain