Cleaning your Delft Blue tiles is simple. For everyday cleaning, all you need is a soft, damp cloth and a little mild soap or a non-abrasive household cleaner. Avoid abrasive sponges, scouring pads and harsh chemicals, and your tile will stay looking beautiful for years.
Whether your tile is hanging on the wall, used as part of a kitchen backsplash or installed in a bathroom, the same gentle cleaning approach applies. Here are our tips for keeping your Delft Blue tiles clean and looking their best.
Why are Delft Blue tiles easy to clean?
Our tiles are made using a sublimation printing process. The design is transferred into the ceramic using heat and pressure, rather than simply being printed as a layer on top of the surface.
This makes the design highly durable and water-resistant. Everyday moisture and cleaning won't cause the design to peel, making the tiles easy to care for.
Curious about how our tiles are made? Read more about what sets our quality apart.
How do you clean a Delft Blue tile?
For dust, fingerprints and everyday marks, a soft, damp microfibre cloth is usually all you need.
If your tile needs a little more cleaning, add a small amount of mild dish soap to warm water. You can also use a standard non-abrasive household cleaner.
Simply wipe the tile gently, using circular movements if needed, and finish with a clean, dry cloth to prevent streaks.
In short:
-
Use a soft, damp cloth.
-
Add a little mild soap for greasy or stubborn marks.
-
Wipe gently.
-
Dry with a clean cloth.
What should you avoid when cleaning Delft Blue tiles?
Although our tiles are water-resistant, they aren't completely scratch-resistant. That's why it's best to avoid anything that could scratch or wear the surface.
Avoid:
-
Abrasive sponges and scouring pads, especially the rough side
-
Scouring powders and abrasive cream cleaners
-
Strong chemicals such as bleach, ammonia or strong acids
-
Magic erasers, which are mildly abrasive
When it comes to cleaning your tile, gentle is best.
What can you use to clean a Delft Blue tile?
You don't need any special cleaning products. We recommend keeping it simple:
-
A soft, damp cloth or microfibre cloth
-
Mild dish soap
-
A standard non-abrasive household cleaner
-
A clean, dry cloth for removing streaks
There's no need for specialised tile cleaners or aggressive products.
How do you clean a Delft Blue kitchen backsplash?
Kitchen tiles can need a little more attention because of grease, cooking splashes and food residue.
For regular cleaning, wipe your backsplash with warm water and a little mild dish soap. It's easiest to clean spills before they have time to dry. For more stubborn grease, let a warm, soapy cloth sit on the area for about a minute before gently wiping it clean.
Avoid abrasive cleaning pads here too. While they can be useful for other kitchen surfaces, they may scratch your tiles.
Planning to install a tiled backsplash yourself? Take a look at our DIY Dutch tile backsplash guide. One important tip: use non-sanded grout when installing your tiles to help prevent scratches.
Can Delft Blue tiles be used in a bathroom?
Yes. Our tiles are water-resistant, so they can handle the humidity and everyday moisture you'd expect in a bathroom. Customers use them on bathroom walls and as decorative elements in shower areas.
The same gentle cleaning routine applies: use a soft cloth, mild soap and avoid abrasive products.
One thing to keep in mind is prolonged, direct sunlight. Strong UV exposure can gradually affect any printed image over many years, so it's best to avoid placing your tile somewhere with constant, intense sunlight.
How do you keep Delft Blue tiles looking vibrant?
Keeping your tile looking its best doesn't require much effort. Just remember three things:
Clean gently. Avoid abrasives. Limit prolonged direct sunlight.
With those simple habits, your Delft Blue tile can stay crisp and beautiful for many years.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Delft Blue tiles go in the dishwasher?
We have tested our tiles in a dishwasher, and they came out just fine. So technically, yes, they can go in the dishwasher.
However, we still recommend cleaning them by hand. A soft, damp cloth is gentler on the surface and is more than enough for everyday cleaning. The same applies to steam cleaners: they're unnecessary for keeping your tile clean.
How do I remove water stains or limescale from a Delft Blue tile?
Start with a soft, damp cloth and a little mild dish soap. This is usually enough for water marks and light limescale.
Avoid strong acids and abrasive descaling products, as these can damage or scratch the surface.
Are Delft Blue tiles suitable for outdoor use?
Our tiles are designed primarily for decorative indoor use. They can handle occasional splashes of water, but we don't recommend installing them permanently outdoors.
Freezing temperatures, prolonged exposure to the elements and strong direct sunlight can affect the tile and its printed design over time.
My Delft Blue tile is installed in a wall. Does it need special care?
Not really. Once installed, clean it in the same way as a loose tile: use a soft cloth and mild soap when necessary.
The installation itself does require some care, though. We recommend using non-sanded grout to help prevent the surface from being scratched during installation.
Discover more about Delft Blue tiles
New to Delft Blue and curious about the story behind this iconic style? Read What is Delft Blue? to learn more about this centuries-old Dutch tradition.
Looking for a tile for your own home? Browse all our Delft Blue designs, or complete your tile with a stand or frame.
