B&Q Sicily Tiles - Cleaning

[Unregistered]

Hi
We've just retiled our kitchen with B&Q Sicily ceramic tiles in light beige, and we're finding that they are extremely hard to clean. They've a slightly rough surface which seems to retain the dirt - especially when our dog comes in without wiping his feet
The B&Q tiling man recommended that we use QEP Tile Sealer, but I'd just like to have someone confirm that as it doesn't actually say on the container that it's suitable for ceramic tiles.
If you know this stuff does the trick, or have used it yourself, please can you respond?
Cheers
Phil

 

[foxman]

What you need is Lithofin FZ intensive cleaner this is alkali based and gets rid of stubborn engraved dirt. A 1 litre tin costs around £14/15. You can purchase this off the Lithofin web site cheers, Mick

 

[dptiling]

i have never sealed ceramic tiles .
wouldnt take to much notice of a "b&q tiling man" to be honest.
if they have a rough surface , there is nothing you can do . that is what they are.
you can try to seal them . i think you are wasting your time , and money.
i dont think it would adhere to the tile as it wont get though the glaze.

 

[Diamond Pool Finishers]

nin guest:welcome:

 

[Unregistered]

Thanks for that, but when you say

What you need is Lithofin FZ intensive cleaner this is alkali based and gets rid of stubborn engraved dirt.

that seems to imply that these tiles can't be sealed, only cleaned intensively - is that correct? Is that QEP Tile Sealer a non-starter?

 

[david campbell]

failing any of the above theories you could try and train the dog to wipe it's feet or buy a nice pair of boots for him that he can remove before entering the house.........:lol:


seriously though it is the style of the tile and i wouldn't waste any money trying to seal these!

 

[foxman]

Yes you dont seal ceramic tiles FZ the way to go

 

[RickyRaqeeb]

I have the same problem. I bought the chocolate colour tiles. some look faded whilst other look clean and more brown

I first thought i was the grout and tried to use strong tile cleaners to make the faded ones bring out the colour and then tried tile sealer. Non has worked.

Thinking i should complain to B&Q

Any one out there that has bought the Sicily tiles out there

 

[jay]

you need to determin if they are glazed ceramics or not dont recomend sealing glazed ceramics

 

[ishy]

Sadly i've just laid my kitchen with the same tile and i'm having the same problem, b&q should'nt sell this rubbish, i should have learned from italian stuff like farraris, ducati and other cars and bikes that have italian origine, they're all show and high maintanence.
Phil, if you managed to get a solution can you let me know please.
MIKE

 

[david campbell]

Sadly i've just laid my kitchen with the same tile and i'm having the same problem, b&q should'nt sell this rubbish, i should have learned from italian stuff like farraris, ducati and other cars and bikes that have italian origine, they're all show and high maintanence.
Phil, if you managed to get a solution can you let me know please.
MIKE

sadly thats all b&q sell tile wise------absolute rubbish!!!!!!!!!!
cheap second grade tiles at best and have customers believing they are good quality

 

[RickyRaqeeb]

The Tiles do not have a glazed finish but have a rough sand face finish.

 

[RickyRaqeeb]

I think i may have found a solution. When i put an oil based substance on them it brought out the colour. The sealant did not seem to do that. So i went over the bathroom tiles with Vasaline and rub into the tile. This brought out the colour as if the tile was wet. The tiles are all the same colour and seem to have stayed this colour now. I know it sound silly but i had to take desperate measures. Try it on one tile

 

[ishy]

Has anyone actually tried flash lemon floor cleaner and got on thier hands and knees with the appropiat cloth or sponge to clean the light biege tiles? i'm up london and had some fitted to a house i'm renting and the tenant said she was having problems cleaning the tiles, i went and got a tile from BQ stood on it put dirt on it wiped dirty engine oil on it and it cleaned off very good with flash lemon floor cleaner.
Unfortunatley the tile is light and has a slightly sandy finnish on it so with it not being smooth ceramic it is going to take more effort, lifes not always easy!!

 

[jay]

I think i may have found a solution. When i put an oil based substance on them it brought out the colour. The sealant did not seem to do that. So i went over the bathroom tiles with Vasaline and rub into the tile. This brought out the colour as if the tile was wet. The tiles are all the same colour and seem to have stayed this colour now. I know it sound silly but i had to take desperate measures. Try it on one tile

now thats desperate
not something id recomend
vasaline is a lubricant and may make tiles slippery
after time it will dry out then you will have to re apply
now they are coated in vasiline you will find it hard to get any sealer to take to it if you find a sealer you wish to try
dust and dirt may be harder to remove now
sorry not the news you wanted to hear