CLEANING AND MAINTENANCE

Cleaning "after laying"

Porcelain stoneware
Properly cleaning the tiles after they have been laid is crucial.
If residues of the grouting used is removed inaccurately or too late, it may leave stains that are difficult to remove, and create a film of cement on the floor that can absorb any form of dirt.
It is essential to loosen and eliminate these residues completely using buffered acids diluted in water (always follow the instructions provided on the box), which will then have to be removed quickly by rinsing the entire floor with plenty of clean water.
We advise repeating this washing and rinsing operation several times until any stains or residues are completely removed.
We suggest carrying out a preliminary test on a sample surface of several metres; if the results are good, you can then clean the entire surface.
After this, the floor must then be cleaned thoroughly with a basic or alkaline detergent to degrease the surface. This is because acidic detergents may leave a film of grease on the floor that could trap dirt.

White body wall coverings
It is essential to clean the tiles after laying for the purpose of all subsequent maintenance operations: in this way, any residues of grouting as well as the normal dirt created during building works are eliminated, such as mortar, adhesive, paint etc. Once the grouting has properly dried, clean the surface with a neutral detergent, complying strictly with the instructions for use on the box or package.

Decorative trims and special inserts with relief patterns and/or precious metals (gold – silver)
Great attention must be paid during both the cleaning phase and the laying phase; it is vital to avoid the use of abrasive products that might scratch or damage the surface. For the cleaning of surfaces in Supergres, we recommend using exclusively a soft cloth with warm water and alcohol.

Everyday cleaning

Once the surface has been cleaned “after laying” (see previous chapter), for everyday cleaning we recommend the use of a neutral detergent.
Avoid using widely available detergents containing waxes and polishing additives that can deposit an undesired coaching on the flooring. We strictly advise against the use of waxes greasy soaps, fillers and various treatments (water and oil repellent) on the Supergres product, as they are not necessary. If the above treatments have been applied they will firstly need to be removed from the flooring using specific products following the manufacturer’s instructions.
In the case of coatings created by soap, lime scale or dirt, you will need an acidic detergent, diluted in water as appropriate (always follow the instructions on the label).
It should be noted that is hydrofluoric acid (HF) and its derivatives may damage the tiles permanently.
For routine cleaning operations we recommend the use of bleach or ammonia, appropriately diluted in water.
For all lapped or polished surfaces, the use of non-abrasive cleaning equipment is necessary to prevent the surface from losing its shine or becoming scratched.
We also recommend leaving the floor to dry properly to prevent stains from forming.

Extraordinary cleaning

In the case of particular and/or particularly stubborn stains, we recommend using specific detergents as those indicated in Table 1: "cleaning products". It should furthermore not be forgotten that the removal of any type of stain is easier when the stain is still fresh.
It is always important to test the detergents on a small area before applying to the entire surface, particularly in the case of porcelain stoneware with a lapped or polished finish.

TABLE 1 – CLEANING PRODUCTS