Care, cleaning and crazing

1. How do I clean handmade glazed tiles?

Clean Smink Studio tiles with a soft, damp cloth and, when needed, a non-abrasive, pH-neutral cleaner diluted in warm water. Dry them with a soft cloth to avoid water marks. The glazed surface does not absorb dirt, so regular wiping keeps the tiles looking new.

2. Do glazed ceramic tiles need sealing?

The glazed surface of Smink Studio tiles does not need sealing: the glaze is a layer of glass-like substance that fuses to the tile in the kiln and is already waterproof. The grout is different. Cement-based grout is porous and benefits from a sealer, especially in kitchens and showers, whereas epoxy and urethane grouts do not need one. If you plan to use a dark grout, treat the tiles with wax or oil before grouting.

3. What is crazing and is it a fault?

Crazing is a fine network of hairline cracks in the glaze of a ceramic tile. It happens because the glaze and the clay body beneath it expand and contract at slightly different rates, and it is a familiar characteristic of handmade tiles. Crazing is not a fault: it does not affect the strength of the tile, and the cracks stay within the glaze. It may be present from the kiln or develop over time.

Crazing is usually barely visible. It shows most when a dark grout seeps into the cracks, so treat the tiles with wax or oil before grouting with a darker colour. Many people value crazing as part of the character of a handmade tile, as on centuries-old Portuguese tiles.

4. Which cleaning products should I avoid?

Avoid abrasive cleaners, scouring pads and powders, and any cleaner that is not pH-neutral, such as bleach, limescale removers, vinegar and other strong acids or alkalis. Abrasives can dull the glaze, while acids and alkalis can damage the grout and, over time, the glaze itself.

5. Will the colours fade over time?

No. The colours of Smink Studio tiles are fired into the glaze at over 1,000°C (1,830°F) and are permanent. They do not fade in sunlight, so the tiles keep their colour indoors and out.

6. How do I replace a single damaged tile?

A tiler can replace a single tile without disturbing its neighbours. They remove the grout around it, carefully break out the damaged tile from the centre, clean off the old adhesive and fix a spare tile in its place before regrouting. This is why it pays to keep a few spare tiles from the original order. If none are left, Smink Studio can make a replacement, though normal production times apply and the colour may differ slightly.