Ceiling tiles are made from many different materials which affect the means of cleaning them and the maintenance of the tiles. Gypsum and metal tiles can tolerate light damp cleaning, however, mineral fibre and soft fibre tiles should not be damp cleaned or scrubbed. Regular gentle maintenance should be given such as dusting. This, in conjunction with cleaning the grid and void, as well as replacing tiles that are overdue for this will preserve the integrity of the grid and void. This guide explains how to clean various kinds of tiles and maintain the appearance of a suspended ceiling.
Different types of tiles require different cleaning methods, so determine the type of tile before cleaning. Mineral fibre and soft fibre (Zentia, Knauf AMF, Ecophon, Rockfon) are absorbent and porous materials that do not respond well to wet cleaning. Gypsum (British Gypsum Satin Spa) has a wipe-clean vinyl face. Metal (Burgess CEP) has a strong wipe-clean powder-coated surface. A wet method on a porous tile can stain or damage the tile so ensure the method is appropriate to the material.
Porous tiles need gentle, mostly dry care:
Tiles with a wipe-clean surface are a lot easier to maintain. Facings in gypsum (Satin Spa) and metal (Burgess CEP) are able to be wiped down with a damp cloth and some non-abrasive detergent, and dried. This makes them very useful for kitchens, bathrooms, and food and healthcare facilities where regular cleaning is a necessity. Do not use abrasive cleaning pads or harsh chemicals that could dull and/or scratch the surface of the tile. Please also adhere to any care instructions provided by the tile manufacturer.
It may come as a surprise, but maintenance is more than cleaning tiles. Pay attention to the grid to see if there are any signs of rust or sagging. Deal with any leaks and condensation issues before they cause stains on the tiles. Ensure that tiles are flush and seated after any maintenance access for cabling, lighting or HVAC. Aside from a few other things, a grid that is in good condition and a ceiling that is dry, requires maintenance. Most issues with ceilings occur because of water damage and neglected grids, not because of the tiles or other parts of the ceiling.
Maintaining a supply of spare tiles that match those installed is an effective strategy. When a tile becomes stained, damaged, or marked and cannot be cleaned, an immediate exchange can be made to replace the tile and restore the ceiling. There will be no need to wait to receive tiles or search for a tile that matches the others installed. This strategy is much more valuable for older or custom-made tiles, which can have a significant lead time for placing orders. An easy reference for re-ordering spare tiles is having a recorded copy of the tile specifications.
There exist limitations on the cleaning process. Water stains, rust stains, aging yellowing, sagging, or crumbling tiles should be replaced, not cleaned. Cleaning a porous tile that has absorbed a stain is likely to make the situation look worse. Understand when a tile has reached its end of life, address any underlying issues, and replace it with a match. Cleaning is for surface dust and light marks, not for restoring a degraded tile.
How do you clean ceiling tiles?
It depends on the material: for dust porous mineral fibre and soft fibre tiles you must dry or very lightly moist them, and for gypsum and metal tiles you should use a damp cloth and a mild detergent. Do not soak, scrub or use harsh chemicals on porous tiles.
Can you clean mineral fibre ceiling tiles?
You may only perform light cleaning on these. Dust with a soft brush or vacuum, and spot treat any light marks with a cloth that is damp (test it first). Mineral fiber is porous, so doing wet cleaning, scrubbing, and penetrating stains will damage them. If they are badly stained, it is better to replace the tiles.
Which ceiling tiles can be wiped clean?
British Gypsum Satin Spa and Burgess CEP metal tiles have surfaces that can be cleaned with a damp cloth and mild detergent, so are suitable for kitchens, bathrooms, food and healthcare areas. Do not use abrasive pads.
When is it more appropriate to replace a ceiling tile instead of cleaning it?
If a tile has water stains, rust, yellowing due to age, sagging, or crumbling, it cannot be cleaned. Identify the cause of the problem and replace the tile with an identical one; cleaning is only for surface dust and minor markings.
Need wipe-clean tiles or replacements that are easy to clean? See our British Gypsum, Burgess CEP and other ranges.
Do you want to clean the tiles, or would you like to have some spare tiles? Call 01939 251 450 to match them, or request a quote including a maintenance stock.
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