General Chat

Hope you protect the porch wall tiles too then so they don't get damaged with all the work going on and then young people lolling about when they come visiting etc. Would be such a shame for them to be damaged.
Lizx

Yes Joan meant for you to cover them too x

That's a thought Linda thanks. Still think I will cover them anyway.
Will let you know how I get on.
Thanks again
Joan

Think I would leave the cleaning until after the plasterer has been the years of dirt may help protect them from the mess plasterers make its unbelievable!!

Linda x

Joan,,,how do you think the victorians cared for them,,,well the housemaids,,,scrubbed,, with hot water,&soda..&of course a good sweep......,no mild detergents around then,,and porous tiles are never ever polished,,,,
once they have had the grim took off,,just a warm mop over with washing up liquid will keep them clean,,,

My brother uses a electric scrubbinhing brush on his hall &porch Vic tiles,,,,,,!!

Arch
I can't believe that you have suggested that.
The tiles are history and beautiful.
J

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

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

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

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 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

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!

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

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!

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 :-)

Hi joan

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

they specialise in victorian tiles

Lisa.

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,

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 :-)

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

Dee
x

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