Cleaning

General Information

Market research, studies and, above all, practical experience confirm that glass scores excellently in comparison with other covering materials. The decisive criteria include, above all, long-lasting beauty and easy cleaning, together with high functionality, in both private homes and public areas. When using cleaning agents, please observe the instructions for use and the warnings given by the manufacturers. We cannot accept any liability for damage caused through failure to follow these instructions and warnings. Never use cleaning agents which contain hydrofluoric acid or any of its compounds (fluoride). Even when heavily diluted, these will corrode the glass tiles.

• IMPORTANT: When cleaning, always take the surrounding materials into account!

Basic Guidelines

Optimal cleaning results can be achieved using clean water and a microfiber cloth: simply dampen the cloth and polish the glass tiles/mosaics. In the event of heavy soiling, glass should always be rinsed with clean water beforehand, to remove dust and silica sand. If cleaning agents must be used, then these should contain a small amount of alcohol or acid, and be used with a microfiber cloth.

• CAUTION: Please do not use any blades or lambskin – both these cleaning aids can damage the glass! All cleaning devices must always be free of “grainy” elements.

Cleaning

A distinction is made between the final building cleaning, basic cleaning and maintenance cleaning (daily cleaning).

Final Building Cleaning or First Cleaning

This refers to the cleaning at the end of building work, immediately after completing the surface. After the heaviest dirt has been rinsed off, s thorough cleaning should be carried out using a suitable cleaning agent.

Grout Joints

Joints must always be protected through wetting them with water beforehand, so that through absorbing the water, the joint sealer cannot absorb any further liquids (cleaning agents), and therefore cannot suffer corrosion. Acidic cleaning agents corrode the (cement-based) joint sealer. After use, rinse thoroughly and neutralize if necessary.

• Cement-based joint sealer: clean with cement residue remover
• “Epoxy” joint sealer: clean with silicone remover

Tiles/Mosaics

Usually clean using basic sanitary cleaning agents (phosphoric acid – pH 0.5 – in a concentrated form: 5 – 10%), to achieve the highest possible degree of cleanliness.

Facades

Each facade must undergo a final cleaning after being laid or mechanically mounted. Mechanically held facades preferably require a neutral cleaning to remove oily and greasy dirt produced during assembly, while conventionally cemented facades require acid-based cleaning to remove the cement residue. Spectral fine-finish glass in facades is self-cleaning when directly exposed to rain.

Basic Cleaning (Precision Building Cleaning)

This is usually carried out using basic sanitary cleaning agents (phosphoric acid – pH 0.5 – in a concentrated form: 5 – 10%), to achieve the highest possible degree of cleanliness.

Maintenance Cleaning (Cleaning for Daily Use)

The “everyday cleaning” is trouble-free and will be necessary at varying intervals, according to the amount of dirt and use: weekly, daily, or several times a day in the event of especially intensive use. Generally, water and a microfiber cloth suffice for maintenance cleaning. We recommend cleaning with citric acid cleaning agents (pH 2 – 2.5) in sanitary facilities. Cleaning agents containing special care agents are not necessary and may even cause problems if continually used: sticky layers of grease, wax and plastic can build up, which not only look unsightly, but are also bad for hygiene, safety (danger of slipping) and cleaning.

Sanitary Areas

If cleaning agents are used, these should contain a small amount of alcohol, be free of surfactants/abrasives or be slightly acidic.

Living Areas

Normal dirt can be most easily removed using slightly alkaline (up to pH 10) or neutral cleaning agents.

Cleaning in Health Facilities

Surface disinfectants can be used: alcohol-based, spray-on and pour-on disinfectants, hand disinfectants, wound disinfectants.

Cleaning Different Villi Surfaces

Glossy and Matte

Clean using clean water and microfiber cloth, alcohol-based / surfactant-free cleaning agent – acidic maintenance cleaning agent (sanitary areas). The “Matte” surface is virtually non-porous (i.e. grease and oil-resistant) and should be cleaned in the same way as glass or a mirror surface.

• CAUTION: DO NOT USE LIME-SCALE REMOVERS!
• NOTE: Do not use any cleaning agents which have a sealing effect or add a surface layer.

Fossil, Structured Relief

The same method as in the final building cleaning is recommended, but in addition it is essential to thoroughly clean the surface “grooves”.

Immediately rinse with a lot of water and clean the surface using cement residue remover.

Clean using clean water and microfiber cloth, alcohol-based/surfactant-free cleaning agent – acidic maintenance cleaning agent (sanitary areas)

Skid Resistant (Floor Tile)

Clean using clean water and microfiber cloth, alcohol-based/surfactant-free cleaning agent – acidic maintenance cleaning agent (sanitary areas).

Spectral

The Spectral coating is a vaporization with titanium dioxide – it is antibacterial, neutralizes odors and is self-cleaning in combination with oxygen. The catalyzer titanium dioxide, which is burned into the glaze, triggers a reaction between light, oxygen and air humidity.

Activated oxygen thereby forms, which destroys bacteria, fungus, algae and mosses. Spectral fine-finish tile surfaces are hydrophilic: instead of rolling off in beads, the water forms a thin film. This causes dirt to be washed away, and is therefore removed effortlessly. This unique type of fine finish is practically indestructible. The photocatalytic fine finish, which is activated just by normal room lighting or natural light, remains permanently.

On facades, Spectral fine-finish glass is self-cleaning when directly exposed to rain. Inside buildings, cleaning can be accomplished using considerably smaller amounts of cleaning agent and less effort.

Spectral therefore noticeably lowers maintenance costs and conserves the environment. The use of film-forming cleaning agents impairs the effectiveness of Spectral and should therefore be avoided.

Deco Matte

• CAUTION: DO NOT USE LIME-SCALE REMOVERS!
• NOTE: Do not use any cleaning agents which have a sealing effect or add a surface layer. Clean with clean water and microfiber cloth, alcohol-based/surfactant-free cleaning agent.

River Mosaic (Mosaic Pieces)

The toughened safety glass used for the manufacture of mosaic pieces is basically more “delicate” than float glass. The important thing is that, immediately after laying, the River Mosaic should be cleaned (see recommended final building cleaning) to remove any joint sealer residue from the fine surface lines.

Afterwards, thoroughly rinse with water. Clean with clean water and microfiber cloth, alcohol-based/surfactant-free cleaning agent – acidic maintenance cleaning agent (sanitary areas).

Detailed Instructions