Cleaning & Maintenance

CLEANING SPECIFICATION FOR KEOPE PORCELAIN TILES Under no circumstances has a cleaner containing a polishing agent to be used to clean the porcelain floor tiles. After the tiles have been grouted and cleaned in the normal way to remove excess grout using a sponge and clean water the floor must be left to dry out. The final cleaning process can begin.Using Keope 100 Cleaner which is an acid based cleaner supplied in 1 Litre containers.This substance is watered down in 10 parts water to one part Keope 100 cleaner (this can be adjusted down to 5 parts water to 1 part cleaner depending on how stubborn the remaining grout is on removal) This is washed across the entire floor using a clean mop with a vigorous clean.Some foaming may take place but this is normal. Leave the floor to dry, depending on conditions could be anything from 1-2 Hours. Using a different clean mop wash the floor again using copious amounts of clean water. Again leave the floor to dry ,then give 1 final clean with clean water. The tile should now be ready for use, the best way to test this is to keep 1 tile from the box that has not been laid and place it next to the tiles on the floor and the finish should feel exactly the same. For regular maintenance the floor should be brushed at the end of each day then using a clean mop and clean water, washed down at the end of each day ready for the next day’s business. At no time add any cleaning solution to the floor. From time to time if the floor becomes marked in any way Keope 200 supplied in 1 litre containers can be used using the same formula for mixing as the Keope 100, to keep the floor looking like its original appearance. Keope 100 Cleaner 1 Litre will cover roughly 35 Square Metres Keope 200 Cleaner 1 Litre will cover roughly 50 square Metres Kirk Pollock can be contacted at anytime on 07787-150066 should anyone require clarification or help with any of the above. CLEANING THE FLOOR AFTER INSTALLATION Above all, this washing procedure is necessary for smooth, or "lappato" floors because any residual dirt marks are clearly evident. As is often believed, it is not sufficient just to wash the floor after installation with water or by using traditional products and it is absolutely not recommended to use diesel fuel, vinegar or solvents that have not been specifically recommended. Ceramiche Keope recommends the use of Fila products that are easily found on the market. CLEANING METHOD 1. Remove the excess grout, dust and dirt deposited on the floor by using a broom or a vacuum cleaning brush. This operation is very important because when applying the detergents, the floor must not have any surface residues. 2. Dampen the cement grouting with some water to preserve it from the action of the detergents. 3. Use a solution of Fila DETERDEK detergent diluted 1:5 (1 litre of Deterdek diluted in 5 litres of HOT water). This preparation should be enough to clean 100 m2. This product is slightly acid and its use is necessary to remove all cement residues. Never use acids of a different nature to those recommended for the cleaning of ceramic materials because it could be dangerous and cause damage to the grouting. 4. Evenly spread the DETERDEK 1:5 solution on the surface to be treated using a broom and cloth, or by using a motorised rotating brush. 5. Leave the solution to react for several minutes (at least 5 minutes), on the basis of the amount of dirt to be treated. Never leave the solution to dry out on the floor. 6. For residential environments, scrub energetically, preferably using a large broom and a rough floor cloth (it is better not to use floor mops), or by using a motorised rotating brush with Scotch-Brite discs for large surface areas. Be careful with the grouting. 7. Remove the DETERDEK 1:5 solution residue and ABUNDANTLY rinse with water to eliminate the excess solution, taking care to frequently change the water and to clean the cloth often. The detergent removal operations are fundamental, because often the marks that remain after this type of washing are residues of detergents. 8. At this point a wash with a solution of Fila PS/87 is necessary, diluted 1:10 (1 litre in 10 litres of water). This solution allows the removal of all organic stains (wax and resin) that have deposited on the floor during the tile production and tile installation processes. In certain cases, it may be necessary to wash the floor more than once with the diluted PS/87 solution. 9. Evenly spread the 1:10 solution of PS/87/water on the area to be treated by using a floor cloth. Leave the solution to react for several minutes and then energetically scrub using a broom and cloth, or by using a motorised rotating brush. Thoroughly scrub the floor. 10. Thoroughly rinse with water, taking care to frequently change the rinsing water. 11. Afterwards, check the floor surface; if the washing has not been satisfactory, repeat again with Fila DETERDEK in a 1:10 dilution (1 litre in 10 litres of water) in the same way as described above and finally rinsing well with water. 12. It is recommended not to walk on the floor for at least 24 hours afterwards.