What Is The Best Way Of Removing Etch Marks From Tiles

What Is The Best Way Of Removing Etch Marks From Tiles

best way to remove etch marks

Your floor tiles are just one part of your beautiful home. Most people are proud of the way their tiles look and they take great pride in them.

Therefore, it is important to care for and maintain your tiles properly in order to not only keep them looking good but to also add to their longevity.

There are times where, even with the best of intentions, problems occur when you follow care instructions to the letter.

One problem many people face is etching. This is a dull patch which shows up on tiles under certain lighting conditions and can make tiles look worn or scratched.

Don’t become alarmed if your tiles have become etched from your attempts at cleaning them. There is a way to remove these marks.

Let’s take a look now at:

  • Etch Marks Explained
  • What to Do
  • How to Get More Help

 

Etch Marks Explained

Etch marks occur on glazed tiles and show up as scratches or dull patches on the surface.

They occur from the use of harsh or abrasive cleansers or from exposure to acidic substances.

Responsible tile owners often find themselves with this dilemma after they clean their tiles.

They follow the instructions for using specific industrial-strength cleansers made for the purpose of safely cleaning tiles and find they are left with clean grout but scratched tiles.

This can happen even if someone uses the cleanser at less than full strength.

Sometimes these cleansers, which are normally safe, can become too corrosive when applied to the floor.

Their acidic contents will leave etching behind on the tiles. Another cause is liquid spills which are left on the tile floors.

Spills can also occur on vanity tops or benchtops and cause etching on these surfaces.

Even if you clean the spills immediately, the residue left behind can cause dullness on the tiles.

If you notice that your tiles have etched marks, don’t worry. There is a way to remove them safely.

 

What to Do

Before discussing how you can safely restore the shine to your tiles, it helps to review how to avoid etches in the first place.

Do your best to keep acidic foods or drinks away from the surfaces.

Sometimes even foods and beverages which are alkaline in nature can cause tiles to dull when they spill.

If, after your best efforts, an acidic or alkaline substance spills and you clean it, try to remove the residue using a cleanser made expressly for glazed tiles.

What substances are considered acidic? Fruit juices, wine, vinegar or pet messes are acidic.

If your dog has an accident on the floor, the acid in the urine can easily damage the tiles. Clean all messes as quickly as possible.

Treating the tiles promptly means there is less of a chance for etching to take hold. Be careful not to use a harsh scrub brush when cleaning up messes.

 

Where to Get More Help

Etching may still remain even after your best efforts. However, there is no reason to assume that your tiles are ruined.

Simply contact your local tile restoration and cleaning experts.

The restoration of glazed tile is a delicate process, but it can be done, leaving you with floors or benchtops that look brand new.

If etching is left untreated it can worsen. In a worst-case scenario, the damaged tiles may need to be replaced.

The best thing to do if you try to remove the marks yourself and fail to remediate the situation is to contact a professional tile cleaning company for additional help.

Even if you only have a small patch of dulled tile, do not be afraid to contact the tile professionals.

They can provide you with instructions on how to fix the problem.

Or, they can arrange to visit your home, assess the damage and offer a professional solution so your tiles can be restored to their original beauty.

If you have tiles and are looking for a professional and highly specialised tile and stone care company, then look no further than us at Slique.

Slique has highly-developed systems and processes, which means we provide a tile cleaning service that is second to none.