How do I remove limescale and stubborn dirt from tiles with an EPDM surface outdoors?

Tiles with an EPDM surface sit outdoors through rain, sun and frost all year round. For routine cleaning, a neutral cleaner or an orange-oil cleaner is usually all it takes. Once limescale rings or ingrained dirt build up over time, a mildly acidic cleaner with a pH of around 5 to 6 works effectively, loosening the limescale reliably without attacking the surface.

Here is how to go about it:

– spread or spray the cleaner evenly across the tile surface; on larger areas a compressed-air sprayer makes it easier to distribute

– leave it to work for about 10 to 15 minutes so that the limescale and dirt dissolve

– then scrub the surface with a brush and rinse off with clean water

A good choice here is the biodegradable Sonett WC-Reiniger Minze, a mint toilet cleaner with a pH of roughly 5 to 6 that spreads and sprays well. Steer clear of strongly alkaline cleaners, scouring agents and solvents, as these can attack the surface, and always try a new cleaner on an inconspicuous spot first. Indoors – in a gym, for example – hygienic cleaning comes first, and regular mopping with a neutral cleaner is enough.