How Do Professionals Clean Tile and Grout?
Grout can become dirty quickly in high traffic areas of a home or office, so it is wise to schedule professional grout cleaning regularly.
Professionals know how to hoover tile floors for optimal cleaning results, removing dry dirt that mops and scrubbers miss, steam clean the surfaces and dry them thoroughly before resealing grout to prevent future build-up of grime.
Vacuuming
A quality vacuum cleaner can remove the dirt that accumulates in grout lines while also helping reduce allergens and odors, making it especially essential in high traffic areas such as foyers, kitchens and bathrooms.
Sweeping floors regularly with a quality sweeper is one of the best ways to reduce build-up of grime in hard to reach places such as corners. Additionally, daily shower stall cleaning helps avoid soap scum build-up while regular mopping keeps tiles clean and sanitary.
If your tile is porous, dirt from sweeping and mopping may enter the grout lines and cause them to discolor over time. Mildew growth in the grout lines is another common problem among homeowners; mildew can create musty smells as well as be toxic if left to grow unchecked.
Grout is a mixture of sand, cement and water designed to seal between tiles on floors or walls and protect them from moisture exposure and reduce bacteria growth while also improving their aesthetic value. However, grout becomes discolored over time.
Dirt can enter grout from shoes, pet dander and other sources and become embedded within its pores, becoming difficult to extract without professional maintenance services. Therefore, proper care must be taken when cleaning grout lines to maintain optimal health and prevent future encroachments by dirt particles.
Professionals have access to equipment that is designed specifically to remove debris from grout, such as steam cleaning tools or powerful brushes, which can scour and wipe it clean of its pores and remove embedded grit and dirt deposits from their pores. As they work their way across small sections of rooms with their equipment they usually scrub and wipe their grout lines regularly until clean.
Professional cleaners sometimes turn to chemical solutions in order to effectively remove difficult stains from grout, such as detergent-based cleaners with precise pH levels that guarantee deep-cleaning without harming its surface. Unfortunately, many chemical products contain carcinogenic agents or release harmful toxins into the environment – they may also be highly abrasive and damage the surface of your grout surface – as an alternative, natural alternatives like white vinegar can provide effective non-toxic grout cleaners that work just as effectively.
Mopping
Professional cleaners will begin by conducting an initial inspection, inspecting for tough stains or spots that require special care, then vacuum or sweep the floor to clear away dry dirt and debris before mopping begins – this step also reduces dust which could get in people’s eyes or noses and pose health hazards in their own homes.
Dependent upon the condition of the grout, professionals may opt for either commercial products or their own natural cleaning solution. Either way, a mop will be used to apply this cleaner onto the floor surface and leave it for 1-3 minutes before being scrubbed off using a brush; this allows loosening dirt deposits while making removal simpler.
Once the grout is clean, it should be rinsed with fresh water and dried off using a cloth to reduce residue build-up on its surface. After it has been polished to shine again, sealants may be added to protect it against future damage or staining.
Stained grout isn’t simply unsightly – it’s also a telltale sign of bacteria and contaminants lurking within your home, which require deep and thorough cleaning to effectively eradicate and extend the lifespan of your tile floors.
If you’re searching for an economical, eco-friendly alternative to commercial grout cleaners, vinegar solution in a spray bottle might just do the trick. Vinegar is an all-natural cleaner which can effectively treat light stains on sealed grout surfaces while alkaline solutions such as baking soda or bleach may work better on stubborn stains. Always test any cleaning solution on a small section first to make sure it won’t cause discoloration or damage your tiles before proceeding further with its use.
Steam Cleaning
Grout is a porous material that quickly becomes covered with dirt and grime when exposed to high traffic areas like the foyer, kitchen and bathroom. From mildew in the shower, splattered cooking splatters in the kitchen or mud stains on foyer floors – dirty grout can quickly become an eyesore that requires professional cleaning equipment for removal. Grout typically comprises sand and cement but some modern varieties use latex or polymers for improved stain-resistance; regardless, most grout needs regular upkeep to remain looking brand new!
Initial steps in professional tile and grout cleaning involve an inspection. Technicians inspect for tough stains or areas requiring special attention prior to beginning actual cleaning. After dirt has been extracted from tiles, vacuuming again removes loose debris. A steam cleaner then penetrates pores in grout lines to penetrate pores deeper while breaking up dirt accumulation within grout lines – an efficient method that doesn’t rely on harmful chemicals that could potentially harm tile surfaces or grout itself.
Technicians use brushes or grout scrubbing machines to scrub the grout to get it as clean as possible before sealing any sealers to protect it against future stains. This process typically takes some time. It is vital that all areas of grout are fully scrubbed prior to sealer application in order to achieve maximum effectiveness and protection from future staining.
Once your grout has been thoroughly cleaned, a professional will seal it to protect it against future stains and maintain its cleanliness for longer. Sealing will not only increase floor life expectancy and curb appearance; but can extend its usefulness too!
Chem-Dry of Rochester & The Finger Lakes can provide professional tile and grout cleaning services that will leave your home smelling fresh and clean! Plus, we can even add extra life to the life of your tiles by applying protective coatings afterwards.
Drying
Many homeowners try their hand at cleaning tile and grout themselves, yet are frequently unsuccessful. Grout can be particularly challenging to keep looking new as its porous nature allows grime to build up quickly. Professional cleaners employ an intensive process designed to get tile and grout looking as good as new again.
First, they use either a vacuum or broom to remove dry dirt from the surface of tile and grout lines, giving cleaners better access to get into the grout lines and perform their duties more effectively. After this step is completed, mopping with tile-floor-specific cleaner is performed; as there are numerous types available it is crucial that label is read carefully when choosing any solution – as some cleaners can erode grout lines, while others could cause chemical burns on skin or eyes.
Next, a scrub brush should be used to loosen heavy dirt deposits from the grout surface and loosen any stubborn stains or deposits. Nylon or plastic scrubbing brushes should only be used, as metal may scratch or damage the surface of the grout. For particularly stubborn or sticky deposits, baking soda paste may be mixed with warm water into a thick consistency before applying directly onto the grout for 10-15 minutes and then scrubbed off using a stiff brush – in order to address particularly persistent stains, additional bleach can be added into this paste – for stubborn stains bleach can also be added for maximum effectiveness!
Steam cleaners are also an effective way of cleaning grout. Steam cleaning provides an effective method for eliminating mold, mildew and other organic stains without using harsh chemicals or vigorous scrubbing. Most professional steam cleaners feature a special disk that contains the steam for safe overspray protection from damaging surfaces like tiles or grout surfaces.
Before engaging a professional to clean your tile and grout, it is vitally important that you verify their credentials and references thoroughly. A good place to start would be online review sites such as Angies List or Yelp; friends, family or neighbors might also provide recommendations. A reputable contractor should have no problem providing references from previous satisfied clients as part of their service offering.
