General Chat

Hello everyone
We have just bought a house and it has lovely wall and floor tiles in the porch. They look original to the house and so about 120 years old.
Any ideas on how to clean them ?
Joan x

Lucky you, Joan,why not google Victorian porch tiles and see what you get, or contact an antique dealer and ask him for advice, or a specialist house restorer.
Lizx

Afternoon Liz,
Hope you had a lovely holiday!
I was going to suggest that Joan first gave them a wipe-over with warm soapy water to see what condition they are in - if they are very grubby.
That might be all they need.
x

Thanks Liz
I have been googling and am googling at the mo. Seen some floor tiles similar but can't seem to see the cleaning solutions.
The house is for our son who thinks they are grotesque and I said when they are cleaned up they will be gorgeous....................Now hoping they will clean because the new front door has already been put in !!!

Thanks Joanna
Will have to make up some flasks of hot water. The water system has been disconnected BUT I will try that.
I will be on my hands and knees.
J

Hi Joanna, holiday ok thanks, weather not brill till last few days but nice change, and did get taken out to dinner a few times...

Joan, I wouldn't use any strong chemical cleaners like the ones we use in our homes, just some warm water and a little biological washing powder dissolved in it might be good, rinse well and polish up with a soft cloth. Lucky son to have a house bought for him, hope he looks after the tiles as they will add value to the house if kept in good nick lol
Hope you are getting him to help with the work, so he appreciates the care they need to look good.

Lizxx

Cheers Liz
TLC as you say and fingers crossed.
The wall tiles are floor to ceiling in dark green with protruding boarder tiles and the pattern is floor to ceiling of purple, yellow and blue flowers.
All the trades men who have seen them have said 'Are you keeping them ?'
The window and door fitters had strict instructions NOT to damage and a gasp and a stern look from me when they said the door looks well but sorry about the tiles !!!!!!
Off to give them a gentle tickle now
Thanks for your help
Joan x

http://www.tiledoctor.co.uk/Victorian.html

Dee
x

Hi Joan,

are they red, blue, brown and another colour and some diamond shaped?......I have them on my porch and also in the hallway.....The hall-way has always been carpeted so we don't see them, but the porch we clean with water then with a non slip polish.

I would love to re-tile the hall-way to go with the rest of the house, but think it is sacrilege to take up the Victorian ones, as they are part of the features of the house.

They do polish up beautifully though :-)

they will stand hot water ,scrubbing brush and a handful of washing soda, as they shouldnt be glazed ones as these are nornally found in vic fire surrounds,,,,,,,,,,,,dont apply any polishes,

Hi joan

You can try
http://www.londonmosaicrestoration.co.uk/services.php

they specialise in victorian tiles

Lisa.

Just looked at the tile doctor site.....hmmm methinks I will take heed of the no polish in future....and may even show off the hallway ones.....glad you put up this thread...we live and learn :-)

I doubt after all those years of scrubbing that anything you use will damage them, Can you imagine scrubbing your doorstep every day to keep up with the Jonses next door ....on you knees mam!!!

Women in those days certainly never need areobics classes!

Hi Lindsey and thanks everyone
I thought that you meant I had had many years of scrubbing ! Hope I know what you meant.
Off to find a donkey stone now to do the step !
J x
Tile doctor site looks interesting

Two of my daughters who live in Amsterdam. have lovely Victorian porch tiles.They find cleaning with Ecover or soft soap and warm water, the best to deal with them.

Good luck!

I am green with envy Joan.

When I managed at the student houses - both Victorian terraced - they had the floor tiles and there is a special 'polish' to use on them which helps protect them from scrapes and dirt but they have to be cleaned off first. They are usually very hardwearing and if have been covered with carpet or something for a while, do need a clean and polish.
Lizx

Son doesn't appreciate the tiles history.
I have worked along the theory that his porch will always be easy to maintain and clean. He's nearly 21 and a lad ! Need I say more.....
J x

I would just give them a wipe over once a week using baby wipes. They are very gentle but very effective for all sorts of cleaning jobs.

Dianne xx

if they are that old ,i should get yourself some new ones.

Hi Dianne
Once they are clean I will (No, he will be gentle) but at the moment they are filthy, ingrained with years of dirt and I want to clean them up and cover them before the plasterer arrives to replaster the whole house . AHHHHHHH and he's coming next week.
J x