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How To Clean Outdoor Tiles

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Understanding The Surface Of Your Outdoor Tiles

Outdoor porcelain tiles have a micro roughness to the surface which can allow dirt and discolouration to settle into the texture over time, meaning a simple wash down may not always be enough. Using a suitable scrubbing tool alongside our Fila Outdoor Patio and Porcelain Cleaner will break down contamination and ease the lifting of dirt, algae and other deposits from the surface.

Because porcelain is non-porous, any marks you see are sitting on the surface rather than being absorbed into the tile, making them removable with the right cleaner and scrubbing tool.

Initial Cleaning for Porcelain Tiles

As with all tiling projects, it is important that the initial cleaning process is followed when grouting the tiles and more specifically, the use of Fila Porcelain Cement Residue Remover as this breaks down the polymers in the grout for the easy removal of all residues from the tile surface.


In instances where Fila Porcelain Cement Residue Remover is not used, the polymers remain on the tile surface attracting dirt and other residues which will prove more difficult to remove.


This 100% solvent free cleaner has been designed to effectively remove grout, adhesive and installation residues from surfaces that are acid resistant without altering a material’s appearance or colour.


Simply dilute to the manufacturing instructions and apply to your outdoor tiles after fixing and grouting to ensure a clean surface before use.

Routine Maintenance for Outdoor Tiles
Outdoor areas are constantly exposed to moisture, dirt and organic growth, making regular maintenance more important than many people realise. Allowing deposits to build up over time makes them harder to remove and can lead to the tiles being unfairly blamed for issues that routine upkeep would have prevented.

Different materials and fixing methods can affect the best approach to cleaning, so it is worth checking our cleaning guides for tailored advice before you start. 

If you find you are having to clean your patio more frequently because of your dog, check out our guide on how to create a dog-friendly garden using outdoor tiles, where we recommend non-porous tiles and how to effectively clean dog mess.
How To Clean Outdoor Porcelain Tiles

Whether you’ve tiled using outdoor slate tiles, outdoor quarry tiles or other types of natural stone or porcelain, we’d recommend the Fila Outdoor Patio and Porcelain Cleaner. This eco-friendly outdoor cleaner will remove every day surface dirt from outdoor porcelain tiles, as well as algae and black spots from any non-porcelain tiles and paving slabs.


You can mix the Fila Outdoor Patio and Porcelain Cleaner into your jet washer for a quick wash down. For tougher deposits, a suitable scrubbing tool used alongside the cleaner will help lift anything that a jet wash alone may not fully remove.

Common Issues and How to Treat Them

Even well maintained outdoor tiles can encounter a few common issues over time. Here is what to look out for and how to address them:

Efflorescence - White chalky deposits that can appear on the surface, particularly after installation or during wet weather. Efflorescence is not caused by the porcelain itself but by moisture carrying salts and minerals from the sub-base to the surface. If you've noticed this white, powdery residue appearing on the surface of your patio, then check out our guide to preventing and removing white chalky stains (efflorescence) from new patios.

Algae and Moss - Organic growth that tends to develop in shaded or damp areas. Regular cleaning with our Fila Outdoor Patio and Porcelain Cleaner will keep this under control.

Mould and Mildew - Similar to algae, this develops in areas with poor drainage or limited sunlight and responds well to routine maintenance with the right cleaner.

General Dirt and Environmental Deposits - Everyday exposure to the elements will naturally cause a build up of dirt and debris that a regular wash down will keep on top of.

How To Clean Outdoor Tiles