Porcelain tiles are built to last. They’re dense, low-porosity, and made to handle everything from busy kitchens at home to heavy traffic in commercial spaces. Because porcelain is non-absorbent, true staining is rare. Instead, most problems come from residues that sit on the surface, grout haze, limescale, grease, or epoxy film, which can be just as stubborn.
The challenge is knowing exactly what kind of residue you’re dealing with and which cleaner will remove it without harming the finish. Pick the wrong product and you lose time, frustrate the client, and may even make things worse. The upside? Once you understand the basics of residue types and the role of the pH scale, FILA’s porcelain-safe cleaners give you the tools to handle almost anything you’ll come across on site.
Why the pH Scale Matters
Most stains fall into one of two camps: inorganic or organic. The trick is to match the cleaner to the chemistry of the stain, and that’s where the pH scale comes in handy.
- Neutral cleaners (around pH 6–8) are safe across the board, which makes them the first choice for day-to-day maintenance.
- Acidic cleaners work on inorganic build-ups, such as grout haze, limescale, rust, or soap scum.
- Alkaline cleaners effectively tackle organic dirt, including grease, oil, wine, coffee, and even epoxy haze.
And remember, stronger doesn’t always mean better. Put acid on an organic stain, or alkaline on an inorganic one, and you’ll just waste time without fixing the problem.
Neutral Cleaners: The Everyday Solution
The safest place to start is with a neutral cleaner. CLEANALL is designed for day-to-day upkeep on porcelain tiles, the kind of light cleaning that prevents minor marks from becoming bigger problems. When it’s adequately diluted (1:200), it won’t leave a film, cause buildup, or damage delicate finishes.
On larger jobs, such as airports, hotel lobbies, or retail spaces, CLEANALL also utilizes floor machines, which makes regular maintenance quick and efficient. It’s not a heavy-duty restorer, but it does keep porcelain looking sharp and presentable over the long haul.
Acid Cleaners: Tackling Inorganic Stains
When stains come from construction or water-based issues, an acidic cleaner is the right call. DETERDEK is FILA’s flagship acid-based solution for porcelain tiles.
It removes:
- Cementitious grout haze
- Limescale and efflorescence
- Rust
- Soap scum
- Water stains
- General construction dirt and plaster
Example scenario: After finishing a kitchen renovation, a contractor notices a stubborn white film across a porcelain floor. Regular mopping doesn’t touch it. This is cement grout haze. By wetting the surface, applying DETERDEK at the right dilution, scrubbing, and rinsing, the haze lifts cleanly without etching the tile.
The key is always testing first and following dilution guidance. DETERDEK is safe for porcelain but should never be used on acid-sensitive stones like marble or limestone.
Organic Stains: Alkaline and Specialty Solutions
When stains come from grease, food, oils, or resin-based materials, you need a cleaner that can break down carbon-based dirt. On porcelain, that usually means an alkaline cleaner, or in some cases, a specialty product built for more challenging jobs. FILA has three go-to options:
PS87: a versatile alkaline cleaner and degreaser. It’s the first choice for organic stains on non-polished porcelain, handling everything from grease and oil to wine, coffee, chewing gum, tire marks, and adhesive residues. Used undiluted, it can even pull out stubborn marks that other cleaners leave behind.
Example scenario: In a commercial showroom, rubber tire marks leave black streaks across porcelain slabs. Acid won’t touch them because they’re organic. A coat of PS87 and a scrub with a floor machine clears the marks without harming the surface.
EPOXYOFF: a specialty remover made for cured epoxy and urethane grout haze. Technically, epoxy falls into the organic category, but because it hardens so aggressively, it requires a dedicated formula. EPOXYOFF’s gel texture is also handy for vertical surfaces, where it clings in place long enough to break down the residue.
SR95: a spot cleaner designed for polished and matte porcelain tiles. It tackles deep-set stains like coffee, wine, and marker ink, penetrating where general cleaners can’t reach on low-absorption polished finishes.
Example scenario: A homeowner finds a coffee ring on a polished porcelain countertop. Neutral cleaners don’t budge it. A small application of SR95 left for 15 minutes lifts the stain while keeping the polished finish intact.
When You Don’t Know the Stain
On-site, stains aren’t always easy to identify. A dark patch by an entryway, for example, could be oil, adhesive, or even rust. When you’re not sure what you’re dealing with, the safest approach is to work through it step by step.
Start simple with a neutral cleaner like CLEANALL; it’ll often clear away general dirt and help you avoid jumping in with stronger chemistry too soon. If that doesn’t work, try an alkaline cleaner like PS87 on a small patch, as many everyday stains are organic.
Still nothing? Then move on to an acid cleaner, such as DETERDEK, especially if you suspect construction residues. And if you’re dealing with a really stubborn, layered mess, like old film sealer, paint, or graffiti, PROSTRIP is the product to fall back on. It works directly on the film, cutting through residues that other cleaners can’t remove, even on porcelain.
Whatever you use, always test a hidden spot first and stick to FILA’s dilution and dwell time guidelines. A quick trial can save a lot of rework later.
Mechanical Action Matters
No cleaner does all the work on its own. The product gets you halfway there, but it’s the way you use it that makes the difference. Start by mixing the cleaner to the right dilution, then give it a little time to react with the stain. After that, some elbow grease is essential, whether that’s a pad, brush, or machine; the scrubbing action is what actually lifts the dirt off the surface.
And don’t forget the rinse. It sounds obvious, but it’s the step most often skipped on site. Even if you’ve picked the perfect product, leaving residue behind can undo all the work you’ve just done.
Skipping the rinse is one of the most common mistakes contractors make. Even the right chemistry won’t work if residues are left behind.
Other Common Jobsite Scenarios
These are the kinds of problems you’re likely to run into during everyday installs:
- Residential bathroom: after a few months of use, a white, chalky film builds up around a client’s shower area. It isn’t grout haze, it’s limescale from hard water. A diluted mix of DETERDEK (1:5) breaks down the deposits and brings the porcelain back to a clean, even finish.
- School corridor: a student leaves marker ink across polished porcelain. A quick application of SR95 lifts the stain without compromising the surface’s shine.
- Restaurant kitchen: near the prep stations, grease builds up on unglazed porcelain, making it slippery. PS87 and a good scrub cut through the layer, making the floor safe again.
- Kitchen backsplash: under bright task lighting, the cured epoxy haze is visible along the grout lines. EPOXYOFF adheres to the wall long enough to break it down, allowing it to be wiped away.
The FILA System Advantage
Porcelain is tough, but it isn’t bulletproof. Grout haze, grease, epoxy haze, even a coffee spill, stains will happen. The trick is knowing how to deal with them without risking the finish. That’s where FILA’s porcelain-safe cleaners come in, giving you the right option for every type of stain.
When you match the cleaner to the problem, you get the job done faster, avoid call-backs, and leave the client with a floor or wall that looks exactly as it should.
If you’re ever unsure, FILA’s technical team is on hand to help with practical, job-site-specific advice. Or, if you’d rather browse solutions yourself, you can explore the full porcelain care range online.
