How To Clean Porcelain Paving Slabs

Posted on 20th April 2022

For many of us, a garden is the extension of our living space. Porcelain paving slabs are the perfect choice for gardens and patios because they are easy to clean, low maintenance, and look effortlessly beautiful.

Generally, porcelain paving slabs only require some occasional sweeping with a brush and for more stubborn marks a wipe with a damp cloth is best.

How to clean porcelain paving slabs

Here are six simple steps to clean your porcelain patio.

Prepare

A good starting point is to prepare the cleaning tools and materials you will need to start the process. You may need a soft-bristle sweeping brush as well as a bucket, sponge or cloth, and a gentle detergent.

Remove debris

Over time, porcelain paving slabs will naturally accumulate debris such as sticks, leaves as well as dust and dirt. A soft-bristle sweeping brush is perfect for the job and will ensure your porcelain paving tiles don’t scratch.

Lightly wash porcelain paving

A porcelain patio won’t typically get as dirty as a natural stone patio. Therefore regular pressure washing won’t be necessary to maintain the look of your tiles.

Fill a bucket with warm water and add a gentle detergent. Porcelain paving slabs do not require bleaching to give a clean finish.

Gently scrub

Wet a sponge or cloth in the soapy water and gently scrub the porcelain paving to get rid of any dirt or residue that wasn’t removed from the sweeping. If you don’t have a sponge or residue, you could wet the sweeping brush to achieve impressive results.

Pressure wash

Porcelain paving slabs won’t require regular pressure washing, however it may be necessary to eradicate more stubborn marks.

Allow your porcelain patio to air dry

Once you have finished washing your outdoor patio, allow it to dry with the natural sunlight.

What to avoid when cleaning porcelain paving slabs

While porcelain is renowned for its strength and durability, there are still some things you should avoid and be careful of when cleaning your patio.

Don’t use harsh chemicals

It is not advisable to use products that contain chemicals such as bleach and ammonia and you should refrain from applying acid-based products to the paving. Harsh chemicals may cause irreparable damage to the colour and condition of your porcelain paving slabs.

Avoid steel brushes

The use of a steel brush could result in small particles of the tool embedding into the grout and tile itself. Over time, this runs the risk of causing rust stains.

Say ‘no’ to wax-based cleaners

Avoid the use of oil-based wax cleaners and detergents. Alternatively, check out our Accessories page for porcelain patio products we recommend.

Don’t scrub heavily

Although porcelain paving is resistant to scratches, it is still advisable to take care when scrubbing your patio. Hard bristle brushes can cause streaks on your patio and can remove the grout or jointing sand.

With valuable experience distributing porcelain paving, we are able to help you achieve the perfect patio, garden, or home interior with our products. Contact us and we will discuss your specific needs today.