Matte tiles are a great way to spruce up a home. They reflect lightlessly and match any type of interior décor you might have going on. If you’ve got shiny tiles, don’t worry! There’s no need to replace them just yet. This post will show you the best ways to make those shiny tiles matte so they can be as beautiful as their matte counterparts!
Matte Tiles Vs Gloss Finish Tiles
The differences between the two styles are most visible when you place gloss finish tiles up against matte ones. When you see sleek metallic finishes, each tile will have a distinctive shine to it which is absent from matte tiles.
One of the main advantages of matte tiles is also their affordability as they are lower in cost than glossy finishes.
A lot of homeowners want both styles of tiles but one thing to remember is that matte finish tiles require less upkeep as they are easier to clean as well as less likely to stain or scratch easily. Matte tiles match any type of interior décor you might have going on.
Glossy finishes, tend to show fingerprints easily which leaves your tiled space looking less clean over time. If you’ve got shiny tiles in your home or business, don’t worry! This post will show how best matte makes those shiny tiles.
How to make a shiny tile matte by acid etching?
Acid etching is one of the oldest ways to make a shiny tile matte and it’s still used today. The process involves using an acid solution that erodes at the glaze on top of your tiles, leaving them with a dulled sheen.
You can purchase acidic solutions from hardware stores or you might be able to get help from local companies who offer this service as part of their services for cleaning up old tiles. This way takes time as well as money so if you’ve got both those things in abundance then go right ahead!
Sweep and mop the floor
Sweeping and mopping the floor is not as simple as it seems. It requires a lot of hard work and time to make sure that it gets done properly. When we sweep the floor, we spread dirt and contaminants onto surfaces that we plan on mopping or sweeping again, making our work even more difficult.
We need to make sure to use a dry microfiber cloth and a few drops of soap and water to wash away surface dirt from the floors. Great for folks with allergies! This method will leave the floor cleaner than any other method.
Dilute the acid and wet the floor
Using a large bucket, fill half the container with water and add in your acid solution. Acidic solutions for etching range from ten to twenty percent so make sure you dilute according to how dark you want your tiles to be colored.
Spray your work area with the baking soda neutralizing agent
Using another bucket, mix half a cup of baking soda with two gallons of water. Using a spray bottle, cover the surface that you just acid etched and neutralize it by spraying down some baking soda solution on top for about three minutes to allow it to settle into your tiles.
Rinse the floor well
After neutralizing, rinse the floor by spraying on clean water and mop up. Allow the room to air dry for about twenty minutes before you walk back in so that no one will slip or get hurt.
And there you have it! Shiny tiles are now matte thanks to these simple steps! Don’t forget that if you love shiny surfaces but don’t want them too glossy then this is an easy fix at home without having to buy new tiles!
Sandblasting your existing glossy tiled floors
Sandblasting is a method that has been used for many years to strip paint from the surfaces of cars and other metal objects. It involves using an apparatus filled with sand or aluminum oxide, which is blasted at high pressure against a surface to clean it up.
This process can be repeated several times if needed until you get your desired matte finish. The downside?
Plus, there will be dust everywhere after blasting so make sure to cover all furniture before getting started.
How to Make the Most of Matt Tiles?
There are many ways to make shiny tiles matte and if you don’t want to get rid of them altogether, there’s no need because they can be as beautiful as their matte counterparts! So how do we go about making the most out of matt tiles?
You could always simply add a design or border around it to accentuate your motif. Or just leave some space at the top for that extra shine while still giving off that clean finished look. You might even find that this is more cost-effective than replacing all those glossy surfaces so give it a go before taking any drastic measures!
And lastly: make sure to check with your local authorities first regarding recycling methods before getting started on this one!
Complimentary Décor
Complimentary décor is a great way to accentuate your motif. Remove the border from those shiny tiles or even add one around it to make that extra statement you want people walking into your house to see first and foremost! It’s always best not to waste too much money on new appliances so why not try this out instead?
This will be easier than having all of them replaced if they’re still functioning properly, plus it won’t look as tacky as taking down perfectly good fixtures just because they don’t match anymore.
Practical Benefits
Something else that might work well is adding some contrasting colors such as white or black borders for an interesting combination with either matte-colored walls or floors. Why not try out those matt tiles and see how it goes?
It’s a practical solution if you want to update your kitchen without having to spend too much money, plus this way you won’t have to worry about matching the rest of your décor because there will be less focus on them!
You can go wild with patterns around these areas so just think outside of the box here and improvise until you’re satisfied with the results!
Wall vs Floor Tiles
Another thing you can try out is switching your wall tiles with floor ones! This could be a quick fix if all of them are still in pristine condition. The beauty about this option is that the variety of designs and patterns available for both types are endless so it’ll be easy to find one that matches your taste without having too much trouble.
Plus, unlike other options where there will always have some glossy areas around even after spending money on new fixtures, here at least everything’s consistent throughout which makes up for less cleaning work overall!
How to Clean Matte Finish Tiles
To clean matte finish tiles, you will first need to scrape off any debris with a hard brush or scrubbing pad. If you have wax residue on the tile, use a wax remover. After scraping the tile, wipe it down with a rag soaked in water and dish soap. Rinse the rag in hot water and wipe down the tile again. You can also use an abrasive cleanser if the above methods are not working well enough for you.
Best Way to Clean and Maintain Matte Finish Tiles
The best way to clean matte-finished tiles is to use a steam cleaner. A steam cleaner will ensure that the dirt and grease are removed from the tile, without leaving any streaks or residue behind. Simply spray the tile with water, then scrub it gently with the bottom of your shoe. Once this has been done, use a damp cloth or sponge, using a small amount of soap or cleaning product. The tiles should come up beautifully shiny when dried.
The Cleaning Routine
Before you start cleaning your matte-finish tiles, it is best to go over the entire house and see if there are any spills or stains that need to be attended to. After this has been done, follow these steps:
- Use a damp cloth with warm water and dish soap for general cleaning purposes.
- Use an abrasive cleanser on tough dirt marks.
- Spray the tile down using a steam cleaner.
- Allow the tile surface to dry completely before walking on it again.
How do you clean stains on matte tiles?
You can clean stains on matte tiles by using a commercial stain remover or an oxygen bleach product. Simply apply the solution to the stain, allow it to sit for roughly fifteen minutes before wiping down with water and dish soap.
If you prefer natural cleaning solutions, try mixing vinegar and baking soda into a paste that will work great in removing tough dirt marks and stains from your tile surface
Conclusion
There are many different ways to make your shiny tiles less reflective. Shiny tiles are usually used in bathrooms, kitchens, and hallways because they look great with natural light. They can be a problem though if you want the room to feel more cozy or intimate.
Don’t forget: making shiny tiles matte is more cost-effective than getting rid of all those glossy surfaces that are already installed in your home.
