Cleaning and care of ceramic wall and floor coverings

Market research, studies and, above all, practical experience prove that ceramics perform excellently in comparison with other covering materials. Above all, lasting beauty and easy cleaning combined with high functionality in both private and public areas are among the decisive criteria.

Our products are high-quality branded articles. All glazed and unglazed materials are characterized by surfaces that offer the best conditions for problem-free cleaning. Please observe the instructions for use and hazard warnings of the respective manufacturer for all cleaning agents. Understandably, we cannot accept any liability for damage resulting from failure to observe these instructions and notes.

Never use cleaning agents containing hydrofluoric acid or its compounds (fluorides). These attack the ceramic even when heavily diluted.

Final cleaning or initial cleaning

This is the final cleaning of the building, immediately after completion of the covering. After coarse dirt has been swept off, thorough cleaning is carried out with the addition of a suitable cleaner. Only acidic cleaning agents, so-called cement haze removers, are suitable for removing cement haze, i.e. residues of hydraulically setting laying and grouting materials. Acid cleaners attack cement-based joints. Therefore, protect the joints by pre-wetting them and thoroughly rinse the covering with water after use, neutralize if necessary. General dirt is best removed with alkaline cleaners or neutral cleaners.

Maintenance cleaning

Everyday cleaning" is not a problem and - depending on the amount of dirt and usage - will be necessary at different intervals: weekly, daily, or several times a day in the case of particularly intensive foot traffic. Generally, water with commercially available cleaners is sufficient for maintenance cleaning. Cleaners containing care products are not necessary and may even be problematic in the long run: sticky layers of grease, wax and plastic may build up, negatively affecting appearance, hygiene, slip resistance and cleaning.

Basic cleaning and stain removal

Basic cleaning is an intensive cleaning process. By using special cleaning agents, increased exposure times and increased mechanical support by brushes, the floor covering is thoroughly cleaned.

The following are suitable for removing the most common stains:

Lime scale, urine scale, rust stains and metal abrasion:

Acidic cleaners are suitable for this purpose. Thoroughly pre-wet cement-based joints, rinse acid cleaner by clear or neutralize, remove completely after the exposure time.

Tar, bitumen, paint stains, residues of expansion joints and synthetic resin based media:

Organic solvents, such as gasoline, acetone or so-called paint stripping pastes are best suited here.

Epoxy resins:

Removal is possible with paint stripping pastes or special cleaning agents.

Oils, greases, waxes:

Strongly alkaline cleaners are able to dissolve and remove these substances. In case of extreme contamination, the effect can be supported by solvents. Unglazed ceramics without tempering or impregnation may eventually show staining due to oils, greases or colored liquids, which cannot be removed completely.

Rubber abrasion, pencil marks:

Chemical dissolving via cleaning agents is not possible. Here, only mechanical removal by rubbing or brushing, possibly supported by scouring powder, is effective.

Unglazed ceramic coverings

Unglazed, non-surface-finished ceramic coverings should be impregnated as a preventive measure if it is foreseeable that colored liquids, greases or oils will affect the covering.

All unglazed coverings with factory-provided Protecta finish or Hytect finish do not have to and must not be impregnated. Similar to glazed ceramics, the impregnation cannot penetrate and then remains on the surface as a smear layer.

Ceramic coverings with HYTECT (wall and floor)

Hytect proves its worth wherever particularly easy cleaning and perfect hygiene are required. The surface finish for wall and floor tiles offers three important advantages:

It is extremely easy to clean
It has an antibacterial effect
It breaks down unpleasant odors

The effects are based on the principle of photocatalysis: the catalyst titanium dioxide, which is permanently baked into the glaze, triggers a reaction between light, oxygen and atmospheric moisture. Activated oxygen is formed, which decomposes microorganisms such as bacteria, fungi, algae and moss and prevents them from forming again.

Hytect tile surfaces are hydrophilic, so instead of beading off, the water forms a thin film and washes away dirt, which can then be easily removed. The finish, unique in this form, is virtually indestructible. The photocatalytic effect, which is already activated by normal room lighting or natural light, is permanently maintained. For cleaning, the same agents can be used as for comparable ceramics without Hytect, with the advantage that the concentration of the cleaning agent can be significantly reduced. Hytect thus noticeably reduces maintenance costs and at the same time protects the environment.

Slip-resistant ceramic coverings

Our range includes a wide range of slip-resistant glazed and unglazed series. These products are " tailor-made" for use in commercial, industrial, public areas or wet barefoot areas such as swimming pools, showers, saunas, etc. They have flat, micro-rough or profiled surfaces depending on the application. Slip-resistant surfaces are most efficiently cleaned by machine using cleaning machines with rotating, soft Perlon brushes or microfiber fleece as well as high-pressure or steam cleaners. The grouting must be adapted to the required cleaning. Brushes or pads containing abrasives must not be used under any circumstances, as they reduce slip resistance. The cleaning agent, device and method must be adapted to the type of dirt and the area of application. Residues of cleaning agents or disinfectants make the floor covering slippery, so rinse thoroughly (for disinfectants, observe the minimum exposure time according to the manufacturer). Otherwise, together with moisture, they can form a smear layer that impairs slip resistance. Film-forming cleaning agents also have a negative effect on slip resistance.

Alkaline cleaning agents should be used for basic cleaning and ongoing maintenance cleaning. In the case of soft water, acid cleaning is required only occasionally (weekly or monthly, depending on the amount and hardness of the water). Harder water requires correspondingly more frequent use of acidic cleaning agents. A selection of suitable cleaning agents can be found in the RK list (list of tested cleaning agents for ceramic coverings in swimming pools) from the German Swimming Pool Association. The instructions for use and hazard warnings of the respective manufacturer must always be observed.

In general, the following procedure has proven effective for maintenance cleaning:

Spread the cleaner in the appropriate dilution (depending on the degree of soiling) on the covering.
Allow to act for about 15 minutes, while mechanically supporting the chemical dirt solution with Perlon brushes (without abrasive grain additive).
Then absorb or rinse away the dissolved dirt with sufficient water.
Thoroughly rinse the coating

HYTECT facade ceramics

Thanks to Hytect technology, the maintenance cleaning of the facade is taken over by the sun and rain on all directly sprinkled surfaces: Due to the hydrophilic surface, rainwater forms a thin film that infiltrates dirt and leads to a "self-washing" effect. This turns every shower into a free cleaning process.