
Here’s how to make porcelain tile shine:
- 1. Clean the floor with a vacuum or broom to remove dirt and debris.
- 2. Mop the floor with a mild soap and water solution.
- 3. Dry the floor thoroughly with a soft towel or cloth.
- 4. Apply a porcelain tile polish with a clean rag or sponge.
- 5. Buff the floor with a soft towel or cloth until it shines!
What are the advantages of polishing porcelain tiles?
- They are both harder and denser than many other ceramic tile products
- Porcelain tiles are frost-resistant, and often frost-proof
- They are highly resistant to stain, scratch, and moisture
- Porcelain is a durable and hard wearing material that is resistant to harsher cleaning agents, scratches, stains, fading, heavy loads, and fire
How to Polish porcelain tiles and make your floors Shine?
- Vacuum or sweep tiled area prior to mopping – pay particular attention to the corners and sides of the room
- Choose your cleaning solution based on the tile type – see below
- DO NOT use ammonia or bleach based products on porcelain as it can discolour the tile and alter the grout colour
How do you clean polished porcelain tiles?
Tips to Keep Your Porcelain Floors Clean Longer
- Sweep, vacuum, or mop your porcelain floors regularly. ...
- Wipe up stains as soon as possible, and flush away any residue.
- While most cleansers won’t do anything to porcelain, some particularly abrasive chemicals can have an effect, so avoid anything too heavy-duty. ...
- Don't use any colored products on unglazed porcelain tiles as these may stain them.
How to care for unpolished porcelain tile?
These simple steps will make your floors sparkle:
- Carefully vacuum clean the floor to remove all dust.
- Use a mop to remove smaller dust particles or any dried-up dirt. ...
- Mix a homemade vinegar floor cleaner. ...
- If you don’t feel like cleaning porcelain tiles with vinegar (or have some heavy, old stains), use any readymade porcelain tile cleaner.

What can I use to polish porcelain tiles?
It is very easy to hand buff porcelain tile floors using either a soft cloth or porcelain tile polishing pads. No buffing solution is needed when using the pads, you can simply polish the tiles in a circular motion to restore them to their original shine.
How do you make porcelain tiles sparkle?
5 Best And Easiest Way To Make Glazed Porcelain Tile ShinyUse Broom and Mop.Use Lemon Juice.Liquid Cleaner Solution.Detergent and Borax.Baking Powder.
How do you polish unpolished porcelain tile?
How To Clean Unpolished Porcelain Tile?Sweep your floors thoroughly. ... Grab your bucket and fill it up with 1 gallon of hot water then stir in ¼ cup of white vinegar. ... Go on and mop the floor. ... Finally, wipe off with clean water (not your solution) and dry with a towel.
Can you buff scratches out of porcelain tile?
Step 1: Soak a clean cloth into a tube of toothpaste or use vinegar as a scratch restoration solution and rub the solution around the scratch/es. Step 2: Work in little circular motions, paying close attention to the ends of the scratch. Step 3: Wait for the scratch to dry before repeating the set of events.
How do I make my dull porcelain tile shine?
Porcelain tiles or ceramic tiles can be polished using white vinegar and dish soap, plus a microfibre cloth. Wood tiles generally need to be waxed using specific floor wax.
How do you polish glossy porcelain tiles?
Step 1: Take a bucket of water and pour in a teaspoon of mild dish soap. Take the soft bristle brush or a toothbrush and dip it into the soapy water. Scrub the tile in a circular motion. Step 2: Scrub the floor till the residue is gone from the tile, now wet a cloth and wipe the leftover solution from the tile.
Does vinegar damage porcelain tile?
You can safely use vinegar to clean ceramic or porcelain tiles, whether they are glazed or unglazed. For other types, however, like terracotta, marble or grante, we recommend you look for ph neutral cleaner that will not harm the material.
Can you use Murphy's Oil soap on porcelain tile?
For the best results when tile and grout cleaning, choose cleaners wisely. Murphy® Oil Soap and other non-synthetic solutions are safe to use on tile and grout without wearing down either one, but other natural solutions include rubbing alcohol, particularly for more set spots of mildew.
Can you put wax on porcelain tile?
Using wax on porcelain tiles might seem like the logical choice to protect them; however, wax is not the route you should choose. Waxing glazed tiles, such as porcelain tiles, will not achieve the final protection you desire. The tile will not absorb the wax, therefore rendering the wax application useless.
Can polished porcelain tiles be repolished?
The good news is that scratches on both polished porcelain tiles, and natural stone tiles can be repaired and the surface restored to showroom condition. To resolve the issue, you have the choice of either DIY or hiring a professional tile restoration company.
How do you get scuff marks off porcelain tiles?
Baking Soda Paste Make a smooth paste by mixing about 2 tablespoons of baking soda and warm water. Make sure the paste is not too runny. Now take a soft cloth and rub the baking soda paste on the areas with scuff marks gently. Once the scuff marks are removed, use a clean damp cloth to wipe the area and let it dry.
Will baking soda scratch porcelain tile?
Though popular for being gentler alternatives to harsh chemical cleaners, baking soda, Borax, and even salt can harm the finish of your porcelain fixtures. As gentle as they are, these compounds are still abrasive and will scratch your finish, especially with regular use.
How do I make my floor tiles sparkle?
A mixture of warm, soapy water is one way to do so, using a mop and mop bucket for spectacular results. You can also use a combination of baking soda, dish liquid, and white vinegar to achieve excellent results. It helps wash away dirt and grime and leaves you with a shiny, beautiful floor that looks great.
How do you make tiles sparkle?
2:224:30Make Your Tile Sparkle - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipYes was it deep deep cleaning all right then after that they let it dry and they use a a littleMoreYes was it deep deep cleaning all right then after that they let it dry and they use a a little chamois to dry it and then they put on a sealer.
Can you make matte porcelain tile shiny?
Using glossy ceramic tile sealer or wax can make matte porcelain tile shiny. Soapy water, baking soda, ammonia-water solution, and vinegar solution are ideal alternatives if tile sealer or wax is unavailable.
How do I make my tile glossy?
Baking Soda Solution To make a paste, mix equal baking soda and hot water measures. Scrub the grouting and tiles with a soft brush dipped in baking soda. Let the solution sit for 10 minutes for the baking soda to soak before rinsing the tiles with hot water.
1. Homemade Method for Polishing Porcelain Tiles
The homemade method for polishing porcelain tiles is the most affordable option. It involves using vinegar and baking soda to clean and polish your tiles.
2. Store-Bought Method for Polishing Porcelain Tiles
The store-bought method for polishing porcelain tiles is the easiest option. All you need to do is purchase a commercial tile polish and follow the instructions on the container.
3. Professional Tile Cleaning Service Method for Polishing Porcelain Tiles
If you want the best results, you should consider hiring a professional tile cleaning service. They have the experience and equipment to get your tiles shining again.
Can I use a steam mop to polish my porcelain tiles?
Yes, you can use a steam mop to polish your porcelain tiles. However, it is important to note that steam mops can be harsh on your tiles and may cause them to peel. Therefore, steam mops should only be used to clean porcelain tiles and not for polishing purposes.
Can I use a tile cleaner to polish my porcelain tiles?
Yes, you can use a tile cleaner to polish your porcelain tiles. However, you should only use a tile cleaner if it is explicitly designed for porcelain tiles.
Can I use a power washer to polish my porcelain tiles?
No, you should not use a power washer to clean or polish your porcelain tiles. Power washers are too powerful and can damage your tiles.
Can I use buffer to polish my porcelain tiles?
Yes, you can use a buffer to polish your porcelain tiles. Those are available in most home improvement stores. However, it is important to use the correct buffer pad for your tiles. Using the wrong buffer pad can cause damage to your tiles.
Different types of porcelain tiles and how to clean them
Many people often use glazed and polished porcelain tiles interchangeably, but that is incorrect as they have quite a few differences. That said, it’s easy to understand why people easily make that mistake.
FAQs
Cloudy tiles can mar the aesthetics of your tiles with their milky appearance, but before you can remove them, you need to know why they’re there.
Conclusion
We hope you found this guide helpful and picked up one or two things on how to polish porcelain tiles properly.
What is porcelain tile polishing?
Porcelain Tile Polishing Tips. Porcelain tiles often come from the factory with a polished look to them. This polished look can be either to a baked on glazed finish or else they were through body porcelain tiles that were polished in the factory.
What is porcelain tile?
There are three main types of porcelain tiles. Glazed porcelain tiles have a glazed finish to them and are similar in properties to normal glazed ceramic tiles. These tiles will have a non porous baked on surface that can be chipped away just like the glazed finish on ceramic tiles. Factory polished porcelain tiles are through body tiles ...
What is glazed porcelain?
Glazed porcelain tiles have a factory installed glaze put on them which is similar to normal glazed ceramic tiles. Glazed ceramic and porcelain tiles will have the same basic characteristics in that they are easy to clean and maintain due to the extremely dense and non porous glazed finish. The glazed finish will never need to be polished and ...
What is factory polished porcelain?
Factory polished porcelain tiles are through body tiles that are polished at the factory with high tech diamond polishing machines. These types of tiles will not have a baked on surface but are polished at the factory with silicone carbide polishing machines. Factory sealed porcelain tiles are through body porcelain tiles ...
What is factory sealed porcelain tile?
Factory sealed porcelain tiles are through body porcelain tiles that are sealed with a high gloss topical sealer at the factory. Factory sealed porcelain tiles are through body porcelain tiles and the factory seal is prone to imperfections throughout a batch of porcelain tiles. Glazed porcelain tiles have a factory installed glaze put on them which ...
How to tell if porcelain tile is hazy?
In many cases the hazy look of the porcelain tiles can appear by just looking at porcelain floor tiles at an angle while they are lying flat on the floor.
Can you strip topical sealer off porcelain tile?
Topical sealers will also scratch, wear down and look dull over time. Periodically this topical sealer will have to be stripped away and reapplied. Stripping a topical sealer off of porcelain tiles requires aggressive floor stripper products combined with professional tile floor restoration machines. Stripping a porcelain tile floor also has the potential to damage your baseboards and working with floor strippers is not typically a DIY homeowner job.
What is porcelain tile?
Things You'll Need. Porcelain tiles are a popular floor and wall covering for many areas of homes. Porcelain is a dense material that contains the surface color straight through the tile. Therefore, if a bullnose or edge tile is not available for purchase in a specific tile, or if a nonstandard size of edge tile is needed, ...
How to round a tile?
Push the tile into the blade so the edge of the tile fits into the blade and begins to round. Pull the tile back toward you, and repeat several times until the edge of the tile has rounded. Advertisement.
Is Polished Porcelain Tiles Worth It?
A polished porcelain tile is a type of tile made by smoothing the upper part of the tile.
How to Clean Polished Porcelain Tile?
Are you concerned about how to clean the porcelain tile? No worries, it is very easy to clean. The surface of this tile looks very shiny. If you clean it properly, the shower will be very attractive and bright-looking.
Essential Things to Follow
If you find any stain on your tile floor, you must clean it immediately. It is always essential to keep your bathroom floor clean. If the stain becomes dry, it will be tough to clean up.
Why is porcelain tile so popular?
Porcelain tile consistently ranks as a preferred flooring choice among homeowners, partly due to its beauty —the material comes in a veritable rainbow of hues—and partly due to its stain- and moisture-resistance. Though it loses luster over time, anyone can learn how to clean porcelain tile and restore its original shine.
Can you use ammonia on porcelain tile?
Never use oil-based detergents or wax cleaners.

Design
- Glazed and polished porcelain tiles
Many people often use glazed and polished porcelain tiles interchangeably, but that is incorrect as they have quite a few differences. That said, it’s easy to understand why people easily make that mistake. Both tiles have a smooth and clean finish, with a strength similar to that of rock subject… - Textured porcelain tiles
Unlike glazed or polished porcelain tiles, textured tiles do not have a smooth finish. On the contrary, they’re pretty rough and uneven, making them ideal for spaces prone to many spills, like the kitchen. Generally, we refer to any tile that isn’t perfectly flat as textured. Whether they are w…
Advantages
Issues
Variations
- Porcelain tiles often come from the factory with a polished look to them. This polished look can be either to a baked on glazed finish or else they were through body porcelain tiles that were polished in the factory. Trying to replicate this polished factory finish is usually next to impossible even for professional stone restoration contractors. P...
Symptoms
- Glazed porcelain tiles have a factory installed glaze put on them which is similar to normal glazed ceramic tiles. Glazed ceramic and porcelain tiles will have the same basic characteristics in that they are easy to clean and maintain due to the extremely dense and non porous glazed finish. The glazed finish will never need to be polished and the tiles will retain their glazed finish for the life …
Risks
- Factory polishing of porcelain tiles requires that intense quality control procedures be put in place during every aspect of the manufacturing and polishing process. Many times cheap porcelain tiles do not have adequate quality control and manufacturing standards. Often times there can be marks left on the porcelain tiles from the manufacturers polishing process. Many times homeo…
Safety
- Another type of porcelain tile is factory sealed porcelain tile. These types of tiles are not glazed but instead they have an extremely hard and durable factory installed finish on the tiles. This factory installed sealer is not like a normal topical sealer that can be stripped away. The factory installed sealer will give the porcelain tiles a slightly glossy appearance to them. In cases of che…
Prevention
- Some homeowners do notice an uneven glossy look of their factory sealed porcelain tile installation and believe that the tiles can be polished or buffed out to make them all have the same even glossy appearance. You can not buff this factory applied glossy sealer on porcelain tiles. Some stone restoration companies will be able to apply a product supplied by the tile man…