First-time cleaning
When cleaning porcelain stoneware tiles for the first time, the goal is to remove any trace of cement or plaster between the joints. This procedure is normally performed only once after laying the flooring or coverings and before using them.
We recommend that you proceed as follows:
- Clean the flooring or coverings thoroughly, removing dirt residues that build up after installation.
- Dampen the surface with water to soak the joints and protect them from the corrosive action of the acid detergent (descaling product).
- Apply the detergent in the concentration (water mixing ratio) indicated by the manufacturer, using a manual or motorised brush. Avoid any steel, aluminium, and natural marble components near the flooring or coverings.
- Let the detergent sit as long as needed, depending on the condition of the floor. Then, rub any stubborn dirt away and scrape off any residues of mortar or plaster.
- Rinse the flooring or coverings with water and mop up the dirty water immediately (manually or with a washer/drier).
For Casalgrande Padana’s Metallica collection, use highly diluted detergents (1:5 dilution, i.e. 1 part acid to 5 parts water) and rinse thoroughly to remove any acid residue from the surface.
If the flooring or coverings is cleaned for the first time after being used, it is important to use appropriate alkaline detergents (degreasing agents) before applying the acid detergent to remove any greasy or similar substance.
Here are a few detergents recommended for removing plaster residues:
- Acid detergents (descaling products) to clean cement plaster joints: Deterprimo Plus (Casalgrande Padana), Deterdek (Fila), Keranet (Mapei), Deltaplus (Kerakoll), Solvacid (Geal) or similar detergents (follow the manufacturer’s instructions).
- Alkaline detergents to clean epoxy plaster joints: Fuga-Soap Eco (Kerakoll), Kerapoxy Cleaner (Mapei), Tile Cleaner (Faber), CR10 (Fila), Lithofin Resin-Ex (Lithofin), Eposolv (Geal) or similar detergents (follow the manufacturer’s instructions).
Contact the dealer who sold you our tiles for information on where to find these professional detergents.
