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Cleaning Unglazed Porcelain Tile

Two types of cleaners will dissolve all kinds of dirt and grease from unglazed porcelain tile

Use this simple technique to clean stubborn stains and dirt off of unglazed porcelain tile, using either an alkaline or an acidic cleaner. We'll also help you identify your tile type, so you know which cleaners to apply.

By the DIY experts of The Family Handyman Magazine:July/August 2012

Step 1: How to identify unglazed porcelain tile

First, make sure you know whether you have glazed or unglazed porcelain tile. “Glazed porcelain typically has a complex design or veining pattern that only happens with a baked-on glaze finish,” says tile cleaning expert Troy Cantini. “Unglazed porcelain tiles will all look basically the same with monotonous designs and no shade variations among the tiles.” If you’re not sure, Cantini suggests letting water sit on the tiles for five minutes and then wiping it off. If the tiles darken, they’re most likely unglazed.

Step 2: Unglazed porcelain tile cleaning techniques

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Alkaline cleaner

KlenzAll, an alkaline cleaner, tackles grease and grime.

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Acidic cleaner

Restore, an acidic cleaner, removes grout haze. Both cleaners are available at tile shops and online.

Clean glazed porcelain the same way you clean ceramic tile. Cleaning unglazed porcelain tiles is trickier. There are no industry standards governing porcelain tile quality, so you can’t be completely sure what you’re dealing with. For that reason, Cantini says it’s critical to test a cleaning product on out-of-the-way tiles before using it “to make sure your scrub pads don’t scratch the tiles and the cleaners won’t damage or discolor them.”

Cantini recommends starting with a soft, nonabrasive scrub pad and a good-quality alkaline cleaner like StoneTech’s KlenzAll to emulsify and dissolve dirt, grease and grime. “If you still see smudges, swipe marks or a hazy appearance, it’s probably a grout haze leftover from the tile installation.” In that case, he suggests using an acidic cleaner, such as StoneTech’s Restore, which will safely remove grout haze from tiles that are not sensitive to acid. “Again, test it first on an out-of-the-way tile to make sure the acid cleaner doesn’t etch the tile.

Troy Cantini, Tile-cleaning expert

Meet the Expert

Troy Cantini has been in the tile and grout cleaning and restoration business for over 20 years. He is the president of NATCO the North American Tile Cleaning Organization. Troy Cantini is also the owner of Prestige Tile Care based in Seattle WA. You can find Troy Cantini on Google+

Tools & Materials List

Required Tools for this Project

Have the necessary tools for this DIY project lined up before you start—you’ll save time and frustration.

You'll need a soft, nonabrasive scrub pad and plastic gloves.

Required Materials for this Project

Avoid last-minute shopping trips by having all your materials ready ahead of time. Here's a list.

Alkaline cleaner
Acidic cleaner


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