How to Clean Outdoor Tiles

When Summer comes around, we want our garden to look its best for garden parties and BBQs. However, cleaning your paving slabs should not just be reserved for when it’s sunny!

Above, Optimum Grigio Stone Effect 20mm Porcelain Paving Slabs

What are the benefits of using porcelain paving slabs outdoors?

If you’re looking for a natural appearance, you might be tempted by authentic slate or stone. However, these natural materials can be costly and can demand a lot of maintenance over time. Porcelain paving slabs are becoming extremely popular to use in the garden thanks to their low maintenance and superior style.

Check out our blog, Which Tiles Are Best for Outdoor Flooring? for more information.

Above, Optimum Bianca Stone Effect 20mm Porcelain Paving Slabs

Low maintenance and easy to clean

Porcelain tiles do not take much effort to maintain. Unlike other popular outdoor flooring materials, such as concrete, porcelain is a non-porous material, so these slabs will not retain any dirt or moisture. Because of this, porcelain tiles are also resistant to changes in temperature, and they will not crack in the cold or expand in the heat.

Hardwearing

Many of our outdoor paving slabs measure 20mm thick, making them super sturdy and durable, sure to last for years to come. In addition to this, their beautiful design will not fade, distort or discolour, giving your garden that just-installed look for years to come.

Slip-resistant

Most popular forms of outdoor flooring can be slippery when wet, making for a hazardous environment that’s prone to slips and falls. Our porcelain paving slabs have been specially designed to have an anti-slip finish to help give you that peace of mind. You can see the anti-slip grade on each of our product pages.

How often should you clean outdoor tiles?

We recommend that outdoor tiles are cleaned every season – so, four times a year. However, it’s a good idea to keep your tiles well maintained throughout the year with regular sweeping and rinsing to prevent the build-up of dirt, mould and mildew.

Above, Trail Quartzita 20×20 Matt Slab Tiles

What do you need to clean outdoor tiles?

Here is a list of what you will need:

Broom
Stiff bristled brush
Bucket
Rubber gloves
Tile cleaners such as LTP Mouldex or LTP Grimex
LTP Blackspot & Algae Remover 5L (for extra dirty tiles!)

In addition, here are some non-essential tools that might make your job easier:

Leaf blower
Pressure Washer
Hosepipe
Squeegee

Above, Leinz Sion Patterned Porcelain Paving Slabs

Preparation

Before you get stuck into cleaning, you want to make sure that your patio is clear of any dirt or debris. Use the broom to sweep any bits out of the way. In autumn, you might want to grab a rake or a leaf blower to help you get the job done faster.

Cleaning light dirt

Once you’ve cleared your tiles from dirt and debris, your tiles might have moss, mould or algae on the surface, which needs to be taken care of for them to remain in the best condition.

We recommend using LTP Grimex to clean the tiles. To use, dilute one part LTP Grimex in 10 parts of warm water and apply it with a cloth or a mop, and wipe it off thoroughly with a clean, damp cloth.

Cleaning heavy dirt

Tougher stains such as oil or ingrained dirt will require a more heavy-duty solution – but you’ll defiantly see the difference in the results! Again, we suggest LTP Grimex.

To use, dilute one part LTP Grimex in 3 parts of warm water. Apply liberally, spreading over the surface of the tiles. If necessary, agitate with a scrubbing brush. Leave to react for 5-10 minutes, keeping wet with additional solution. Agitate surface again, mop up and rinse thoroughly with clean water.

Cleaning external grout

Don’t forget about the grout lines! Once you’ve finished cleaning the tiles, it can be tempting to stop there, however, cleaning the grout lines can make a big difference to their overall look. For this, we recommend LTP Mouldex Spray 500ml.

To use, shake well before use, hold it upright and spray 5-10cm from the surface of the tiles. Leave for 45 minutes, then apply a small amount of water, agitating it with a stiff brush to release the dirt and grime. Rinse the tiles thoroughly using a sponge and water.