The Villeroy & Boch tiles shown are licence products from V&B Fliesen GmbH

Detergents

Strong alkaline cleaning agents are not used for regular cleaning and only in exceptional cases for initial cleaning because they are highly aggressive. If such cleaners are left for long periods on aluminium, glass or plastics, they will attack and destroy the surface. Painted surfaces are attacked even more quickly; such surfaces or inserts must be masked.

Weak alkaline cleaning agents can normally be used without problem. They are mainly employed for cleaning sanitary areas, showers, etc. Correctly diluted with water, they will remove body fats, cosmetics, grease and dirt deposits.

Neutral cleaning agents are suitable for routine cleaning of dry areas (standard use ceramic floors, WC installations, changing rooms, etc.). Their grease-removing potential is limited.

The type of soiling and the surface to be cleaned (different materials) determine the type and composition of the cleaning agent. The pH value of the cleaning agent is of particular importance as it reveals whether it is alkaline, neutral or acidic. The pH scale ranges from 0-14 (see the following table).

Weak acidic cleaning agents remove limescale deposits (e.g. calcium scale), urine deposits and other mineral precipitates and deposits. They are also used for initial cleaning to remove cement film remaining after grouting. If used over long periods they will attack cement joints. To prevent this, the surfaces should be thoroughly wetted before cleaning in order to reduce absorption by the joints. The effectiveness of weak acidic cleaning agents also depends on the hardness of the water.

The "Deutsche Gesellschaft für das Badewesen" provides an extended list of suitable tested cleaning agents for ceramic surfaces in swimming pools; this so-called “Liste RK” is updated continuously.

Film-forming cleaning agents should not be used on ceramic surfaces. These can considerably reduce or even neutralise the slip resistance of ceramic coverings, and can also produce unsightly effects (e.g. smearing) or cause cleaning problems. Please observe the manufacturer's instructions carefully, as incorrect application of cleaning agents may attack and damage the tile covering, joints and elastic sealants.

Stoneware and stoneware with ceramicplus

Basic cleaning 

Tiles with the easy-care ceramicplus surface are water repellent; this reduces the cement film and it can generally be removed with water straight after laying. More stubborn residues of cement film can be removed using a weakly acidic cement film remover and a soft sponge or cloth. Cleaning agent residue should then be completely removed with water.

vilbostone – porcelain stoneware tiles

On account of their properties, tiles are easy to clean. The cleaning methods and cleaning agents must thus be adapted to the type of floor and local conditions. It should be noted that hydrofluoric acid and related substances can attack or destroy the surface of porcelain stoneware tiles and glazed vitreous and porcelain stoneware tiles.

vilbostoneplus

Villeroy & Boch applies the vilbostoneplus sealant to the surfaces of matt and rough-polished porcelain stoneware tiles at the factory, leading to a marked improvement in resistance to staining and soiling; Villeroy & Boch does not recommend subsequent treatment with impregnating agents!

Sealing - for polished porcelain stoneware tiles only!

Im Anschluss an die Grundreinigung sollten polierteFeinsteinzeugfliesen mit einem geeigneten Fleckschutzmittelversiegelt werden, da ihre Oberflächenporendurch das Polieren keinen Fleckenschutzmehr aufweisen.

After basic cleaning, polished porcelain stoneware tiles should be sealed with a suitable stain preventer because polishing removes the stain protection from the surface pores.