Cleaning of mosaic tiles

[lambchop]

Hi All

I have an original (1910-ish) tiled hallway, which has had the surface worn rough in a path down the centre, and is also marked here & there with paint. It's generally a bit shabby. Picture attached if i've done it right!

I have had a quote for restoration by a professional, and it turns out it's something i can't afford at the moment, though i'd like to do it in the future.

I would like to clean it, and have seen mentions on here of Aquafix, LPT stuff, vinegar/salt/baking powder, steel wool and scrubbing.... Can anyone advise me/pass on experience?

I'm a bit confused - I just want to brighten it up a bit, without damaging the surface any further, and maybe seal it. Bearing in mind of course that hopefully I'll get the chap into do it properly one day.

Thanks

Lambchop

 

[united]

Nice looking hallway, will look even better when it's all cleaned up

I'm not too sure with this type of thing but I'm sure someone will be online later tonight who can advise what will be best

 

[lambchop]

Further to above-

I've just found a Hageson product called HG Remover to be followed by HG Impregnator plus HG Gloss polish (Golvpolish).

Has anyone any experience of these products?

I'm not expecting it to look like new, I just want it to look better than now!

 

[garyc4507]

hi do not use hg products they are not that good use lithofin or ltp follow cleaning instructions on the tin if possible use a scrubbing machine or a stiff brush make sure you wear rubber gloves and some goggles to protect your eyes do not mop up but youse a vacumme cleaner to suck the dirty water up if you use a mop and bucket you will push the dirt back into the floor from where it came lithofin are the number one for sealants and cleaners most good tile shops stock this
:smilewinkgrin:

 

[MARBLE_TONY]

In my experience Aquamix is the way to go here firstly Sealing and coating remover scrub allow some dwell time 10/15 min agitate again leave for 15min rinse off with warm water and vac of floor next Heavy duty tile and grout mix with water scrub allow dwell time and vac off again this process may need backing up with some nanoscrub depends how stuborn the dirt is then seal with what ever kind of finish you want on the floor depends what equipment you have but should look like a pro has done it. Good luck

 

[diamondtiling]

I personally would leave that floor alone and let an expert do it at a later date when you can afford it. It has been down for a hundred years and a few more will not hurt. You will be blown away at how it will look with expert guys doing it for you. Its a valuable floor and needs to be done properly.

 

[MARBLE_TONY]

Sometimes putting your mind to it giving it a go you may surprise yourself! and you never know blow yourself away:hurray:

 

[lambchop]

Hi everybody,

Thank you so much for your advice - I'll have a think about it and decide which way to go

Lambchop

 

[kilty55]

lambchop,there is a member on here called tenchman,i would advise you have a peek at his restoration work photos and see how your floor could end up looking i wouldnt touch it just now if i was you,if a pros going to come in and do it id wait

 

[diamondtiling]

Sometimes putting your mind to it giving it a go you may surprise yourself! and you never know blow yourself away:hurray:

Maybe Tony, but that floor may need some maintenance and restoration and cleaning it first may not be the best way to go.

 

[MARBLE_TONY]

cleaning it won't do any harm though mate especially with those products and by the look at that photo posted doesn't seem to need any restoration but perhaps there is that we can't see. Most likely that this floor was covered by a carpet like many of these floors and now seem to be coming back into fashion because they look amazing when there done did one last week and one this week shall attempt to post photo of the one i did this week when i finish it tomorrow