[Les]

Hi everyone,

I went to clean up some floor tiles in a large property last week. The floor is made up of 200 year old Victorian Tiles.

The floor was dug up and relaid about 16 years ago.

You can see from the photo's that the tiles are very soiled, some of which is the remnants of lino that had been on top of it for a number of years.

Although a massive amount of soiling was extracted from the tiles when cleaning, I would have liked to get an even better end result.

I told the customer that I would ask if anyone else had ideas on products to give improved results prior to returning and cleaning some more flooring of the same type.

Your suggestions of Products or Methods would be welcome. Not like her husbands idea of Hot Water Pressure Washing.......Indoors 

By the way, Dry Steaming also made no difference.

Les

[Gerry Styles]

Had the same type of tiles a couple of years ago, don't see them often. Used Prochem QMT Stoneclean in a tank scrubber then rinsed thoroughly with clean water and mop

[Les]

Hi Gerry,
thanks for your comments, I've been away for a few days so onlyy just read your posting .

Do you think the Stoneclean will clean up the tiles given the heavy staining which we believe are from the old lino that had been over the flooring ?

Les

[garyj]

If it is a mark from the lino it is probably glue so try a solvent based cleaner but at the same time try and keep it away from the grouting.

I did a job like this a few years ago and after they were scrubbed up and looking good I sealed them with an Evans polish!! Looked really good and had no problems but would not recommend it!!

[allyoops]

Had similar problem with quarry tiles,used hot air gun wire brush and finished off with thinners and lots of rags,cheers Neil

[Les]

Thanks for the replies,

it would appear that great minds tink alike  as I did try the things that you suggested....without success I'm afraid 

The customer has been very good and understands that maybe the stains/marks wil never be removable. I just thought I'd post the question in case I was missing a trick somewhere.

Now all I have to do is go back and finish the rest of the flooring....as least I won't feel quite so stressed this time.

Les