How to Clean Mexican Pavers

You need to regularly clean and maintain any Mexican pavers in your house. These are tiles made from natural clay and require tender care for maintaining their appearance and to sustain their durability. Mexican tiles can impart a beautiful look to the floor when they are properly installed and sealed, but they require careful handling. The following steps can be taken for their cleaning Mexican pavers.

What you'll need

• Degreasing solution
• Mop and bucket
• Vinegar and water
• Baking soda
• Scrub brush
• Chemical resistant brush
• Rotary buffer
• Floor wax polish
• Sealer

Step 1: Degreasing the Floor

Clean the tiles with a mild degreasing solution and a scrubber. You can use gardening pads for your protection.

Step 2- Removing the Grout

Clean the dirty grout around the tiles. It can spoil the appearance of the pavers. Wet the tiles. Take a sponge and soak the grout between the tiles. Sprinkle baking powder over the wet grout and allow it to set for about 30 minutes. Remove it with a wet mop. Make a solution of vinegar and water in a of ratio of 1 to 2 and clean the grout using a grout scrubber. Wash the floor and mop it.

Step 3- Reducing the Yellowness

Clean with a tile whitener and a brass scrub brush, if the tiles are yellow and dull. First try the product in a small area on the surface. Continue if there is improvement in the appearance of the floor. Otherwise, the floor will need stripping. Rinse the floor with water and allow it to dry.

Step 4- Stripping the Sealer

Strip the sealer layer using a mild stripper if the floor is yellowish and dull. You can use acetone or a specialized product for stripping the sealer coating. It is better to test it first on a tile to avoid any bad effect. Mop the stripper solution over the tiles and allow them to stay wet. The sealer will blister, flake and become powder. Remove this with a soft brush that is resistant to chemicals. Proper ventilation in the room is necessary for this operation.

Step 5- Removing the Residue and Dust

Buff the complete floor using a soft buff wheel on a rotary buffer, which can be rented. It will remove any chemicals or residue. Next, wash the floor with water and mop it. All dust and dirt should be removed and the floor should kept dry for about 24 hours.

Step 6 - Resealing the Floor

Apply sealer to the surface. It is recommended to use a breathing-type of sealer. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for applying the sealer. The sealer will provide a strong and durable coating and preserve the finish. Let the sealer dry completely. Use proper ventilation.

Step 7- Wax Polishing

Polish the floor with four or five coats when the sealer has dried. It is preferred to use the recommended waxing products for polishing the Mexican tiles. Apply the polish using a soft brush only.

Step 8- Daily Cleaning

Carry out your routine cleaning procedures of sweeping, damp mopping with water and dry dust mopping every day. For regular cleaning, it is better to use water without any cleaning agents. Use a microfiber mop for cleaning the tiles.

Souce: www.DoItYourself.com