Cleaning and Detergents

In order to make sure that porcelain stoneware surfaces last as long as possible, we have prepared some cleaning tips to follow after laying and for daily care. Find out how to clean porcelain stoneware on the base of the type of dirt.

Cleaning after laying

Once the work has been completed, correct cleaning is compulsory. is indispensable to dissolve and remove residues of grout completely using buffered acids diluted in hot water (Italon recommends cleaning products as ITALON A-CID, 1 liter in 5 liter of water), which must then be removed completely and quickly, rinsing the floor with plenty of water to avoid residues or drops on the floor which could damage the tiles.

Leave the product to take effect on the wet floor, do not allow to dry, and rub with sponge, then rinse with plenty of water and check that the floor is free from detergent residues. If necessary, repeat the operation with a higher concentration (1:2, 1:3)

We recommend a preliminary wash on a sample surface area of a few square metres; if successful, proceed with cleaning the whole surface. After washing, an alkaline or basic wash must be carried out using degreasing detergents like ITALON B-ASE. This is because the acid wash may make the floor sticky, which could cause it to retain dirt.

Everyday Cleaning Routine

Italon strongly advises against the use of waxes, oil soap, stains and other treatments (water-oil repellents) on porcelain stoneware.

For everyday cleaning, Italon recommends the use of neutral cleaning product.

Often, some detergents available on the market contain wax or polishing additives, which after several washes may leave a shiny film on the floor. To avoid this, periodically use an alkaline detergent of the kind ITALON B-ASE and rinse after washing.

Extraordinary Cleaning

For stubborn stains, not deletable with normal cleaning, use specific products with great care following the instructions provided by the manufacturer scrupulously.

Always test a small piece before using detergent products, particularly on polished and honed porcelain stoneware.

How to clean different types of dirt

With daily use or due to a renovation, on the porcelain stoneware may appear stains for which the common cleaning is not enough. In case of specific or difficult to remove stains, we recommend to use special detergents, but carefully following the instructions.

Non-organic stains

TYPE OF DIRT SOLUTION
Cement, cement-based grout, coloured grout, coal, calcium efflorescence, chalk, metal marks, rust, graphite, emulsion paint Acid detergent like ITALON A-CID

Organic stains

TYPE OF DIRT SOLUTION
Animal fats, vegetable fats, mustard, ketchup, linseed oil, wax, coca cola, coffee, wine, beer, ice cream, mayonnaise, jam, urine, blood, vomit, shampoo, lipstick Alkaline detergent like ITALON B-ASE
Tyre marks, sole marks Abrasive paste

Synthetic stains

TYPE OF DIRT SOLUTION
Resins and glazes, coal and natural rubber, silicon or mechanical oils, candle wax, paint, ink, indelible pen, chewing gum, silicon Solvents
Chewing gum, silicon Ice+scraper

Detergents Italon

ITALON A-CID

It’s a powerful acid-based detergent designed for porcelain stoneware. It allows you to remove residual cementbased colored grout, traces of plaster, joint filler and other dirt originating from construction. It’s ideal to removedeep-seated dirt from the porcelain surface.Don’t use it to remove traces of epoxy based grout. Avoid any contact with metal, wooden and natural stonesurfaces (granite, marble). When using the product wear plastic gloves and aerate the room.

  1. Dilute in hot water (1:5). In case of stubborn dirt, repeatthe cleansing using a higher concentration (1:2, 1:3). Distribute it evenly with a sponge or an automatic brush.Leave the detergent to act for some minutes dependingon the amount of dirt. Don’t leave it to dry up in anycase!
  2. Use the synthetic brush to clean the surface and removeany dirt residue
  3. Collect any residue with a cloth or a water vacuumcleaner
  4. Rinse the surface with clean hot water and repeatthe procedure several times, changing the water andcarefully cleaning the brushes and cloth etc to leaveno traces of dirt.

Check the package for more detailed information.

ITALON B-ASE

It’s a alkaline-based detergent for porcelain stoneware. It was designed to remove dirt of organic origin (wine, coffee, blood, grease, lipstick, cola etc..). If the detergent is used at a low concentration, it can be used for the daily cleaning of porcelain stoneware surfaces. When using the product wear plastic gloves and aerate the room.

  1. Dilute in hot water (1:5). In case of stubborn dirt, repeat the cleansing using a higher concentration (1:2, 1:3). Distribute it evenly with a sponge or an automatic brush. Leave the detergent to act for some minutes depending on the amount of dirt. Don’t leave it to dry up in any case!;
  2. Use the synthetic brush to clean the surface and remove any dirt residue;
  3. Collect any residue with a cloth or a water vacuum cleaner;
  4. Rinse the surface with clean hot water and repeat the procedure several times, changing the water and carefully cleaning the brushes and cloth etc to leave no traces of dirt.

Check the package for more detailed information

Our finishings

When choosing porcelain stoneware, you need to pay attention not only to graphics, color and format, but also to the type of finish. Their diversity, in addition to aesthetic tasks, allows solving a wide range of economical and technical issues. 

DICOVER ALL FINISHINGS

Technical Features

Porcelain stoneware is the most advanced ceramic product to date. Its characteristics, which include zero water absorption, frost resistance, increased abrasion resistance, durability,  and availability of large formats, will allow you to create coordinated solutions for floors and walls, both in interiors and exteriors.

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Frequently asked questions

For all ceramic surfaces immediately after laying the tiles, primary cleaning must be carried out from the traces of putty, glue, etc. To do this you should remove residues from the tile surface within 40-50 minutes from laying with pure water and sponge. Afterwards cleaning with acid-based detergents to eliminate micro-impurities is to be carried out. Periodic cleaning of the porcelain stoneware requires the elimination of mechanical impurities through the brush and pure water. It is recommended to use low acid solutions for the removal of traces of dirt, rust, limestone, etc., as well as weakly alkaline solutions that eliminate organic impurities like: grease, oil, etc. It is not recommended to use detergents containing latex, wax and other components that form the surface films and that can facilitate the retention of impurities. Further information on the maintenance of porcelain stoneware can be viewed on the factory website www.italonceramica.ru

It is necessary to use high-quality waterproofing putty in the installation and to use epoxy grout in the joints. The tiles are laid in the same way as the surfaces not subject to water.

The whole range of Italon porcelain stoneware is suitable for facades from the standpoint of resistance to cold and of incombustibility. However, for the facades, rectified porcelain stoneware is recommended as it allows to install the installation system in advance as well as to use the various colors and surfaces on the same facade. For the installation of the facade system on underfloor fixings it is recommended to apply the 20 mm gr2 porcelain stoneware, which can be worked without the significant loss of resistant characteristics of the tiles.

We recommend leaving space between tiles. The grout joints may vary in width depending on the size of the tiles as well as the intended use of the floor. We always recommend leaving some space: 1,5-2 mm between rectified tiles, and at least 3 mm between non-rectified tiles. The use of grout of an appropriate color, to go with your tiles, will actually highlight the beauty of your surfaces.

Si può posare le piastrelle ceramiche sul pavimento, però nel momento di scelta delle stesse bisogna tenere in considerazione una serie di fattori estremamente importanti. Tutte le piastrelle ceramiche sono smaltate, e la resistenza all’abrasività dello smalto presenta dei limiti stringenti. Non è possibile usarle in spazi pubblici e progetti commerciali in quanto il loro tono e colore deperisce rapidamente. Inoltre bisogna tenere in conto il criterio di sicurezza - coefficiente di antiscivolamento, soprattutto in caso di uso delle piastrelle ceramiche in bagni e locali con frequente presenza d’acqua. Le piastrelle ceramiche con il livello insufficiente di antiscivolamento possono essere pericolose. La bassa resistenza termica al freddo determina l’impossibilità di utilizzare le piastrelle ceramiche tradizionali all’esterno dove la temperatura varia considerevolmente.

Is it possible to lay the porcelain tile on the floor with underfloor heating?

Porcelain stoneware works perfectly in the floor with water or electricity heating system. Thanks to the extremely low coefficient of linear thermal expansion, porcelain stoneware does not deform during the heating and cooling cycles. Furthermore, porcelain stoneware does not change its appearance due to thermal exposure.

During the installation it is necessary to respect 3 rules:

  1. Use a special glue for heated floors with floor heating systems.
  2. Use the ideal glue for the size used.
  3. Respect the expansion joint recommended by the manufacturer. Lay the Italon porcelain stoneware with the 2mm joint on the heated floor.

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