For normal everyday cleaning and maintenance of your tile and grout you should use a pH neutral cleaning product designed for tile and grout. It does not matter what type of tile you have a pH neutral tile and grout cleaning product will not damage the finish of your tiles. pH neutral tile and grout cleaning products were designed to clean all types of tiles from ceramic and porcelain to marble and granite. This type of cleaning product will also gently clean your tile and grout surfaces without breaking down any of the sealers in your tile and grout.
An acidic cleaner will be your best bet to getting your grout lines looking like new again. Acidic tile and grout cleaning products will take off a micro layer of the top of the grout and expose the new clean grout underneath. You should see a fizz reaction when you apply the acidic cleaning solution on the grout to see how it is reacting with the grout. You should only use mild acidic cleaning solutions designed for cleaning tile and grout. Acidic cleaners designed for tile and grout contain a chemical called Urea or Phospheric acid. These are mild acids and are generally safe to use provided you wear rubber gloves and do not get them on you skin. You should not use any type of industrial strength muriatic, sulpheric or other stronger acids on you tile and grout as these can be harmful and can damage your grout.
For normal floor cleaning mix the pH neutral concentrate with hot water according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Usually it takes 1-4 ounces of concentrate per gallon of water. You can also mix the concentrate with water in a spray bottle and use it for cleaning your countertops and small spills on your floors. Using a spray bottle with the concentrate will save you a lot of money compared to buying a pre-mixed ready to use pH neutral tile cleaning product. There are many pH neutral tile and grout cleaners on the market today. Usually the tile cleaning bottle will say pH neutral formula on the container. A tile store will have these pH neutral tile and grout cleaning products and you can ask the sales clerk to assist you in finding quality pH neutral tile and grout cleaning products. Stonetech also makes a quality pH neutral tile and grout cleaning product called “Stonetech Tile and Grout Cleaner”.
With proper routine maintenance, your tile flooring will last a long time before needing professional cleaning. Most often, it is the grout that requires the cleaning first, and many carpet cleaning companies offer tile and grout cleaning services. Whether your tile needs new sealant due to age, or the tile was not properly sealed in the first place, these professional services can both thoroughly clean your flooring as well as add new sealant to the tile and grout. Many of these professional services will remove dirt and bacteria from both the tile and grout, leaving it in a like new condition. A professional grade sealant is then applied to the grout to ensure maximum protection.
If your tile and grout has become very dirty and stained then you will probably find out the pH neutral tile and grout cleaning product is not able to effectively clean your tile and grout. In this case you will have to opt for an alkaline tile and grout cleaning product. Strong alkaline tile and grout cleaning products are needed on most dirty tile and grout due to the fact that most dirt, grease and stains are acidic in nature. The alkaline cleaning product will react with the acidic stains and lift the contaminates up so they can be mopped or wiped away. Strong alkaline cleaning products will not damage most tile types, grout and stone, but it is always a good idea to do a test cleaning a spot with the alkaline cleaning product first.
Employing a professional high-grade solution with decent routine cleaning, your tile flooring will last a long time before having to have professional cleaning. Obviously, there is no need to clean your tile and grout on your own. Numerous carpet cleaning companies will likewise clean tiles and grout utilizing their capable steam cleaning equipment. Indeed, if the cost is correct, this may be your best choice, since steam is the gentlest and best approach to eliminate obstinate stains and grime from your tiles and grout.
If you are a “do it yourself kind of person” here are some suggestions for you for cleaning your tile and grouted floors. Needed equipment includes: medium bristle brush, knee pads, mop and bucket and a L.O.C. (Liquid Organic Cleaner) multipurpose cleaner (diluted at a rate of 2 oz/gallon of hot water). Brush and agitate LOC into grout lines and allow a dwell time of 5-10 minutes. Then rinse with hot water for a faster dry time. Do about 50 square feet at a time so the cleaner doesn’t dry up. Be careful using an acid cleaner like vinegar because it can degrade grout over time. Some people use bleach, but be very careful because most homes have carpet or wooded floors that connect to the tile floor. As you know bleach can damage carpet and wooded floors.
A common strategy for large-scale commercial tile and grout cleaning jobs is using oxygenated powdered bleach solutions. This cleaning agent has many advantageous qualities. Not only is it non-toxic, but it never fades tile flooring, doesn’t create harmful odours and fumes, and doesn’t require a lot of manual labor or time. It is a fairly simple process that happens to be highly effective. It safely removes dirt, discolorations, food, grease, stains, and more.
Another cleaning agent called poultice is a great cleansing agent that removes grime, dirt and dust. A capillary-like action helps suck out the stains by the absorbent cleaning agent called poultice which is available readily in many of the shops for home improvement. Clay can be dampened to prepare the poultice. On the marble that has been stained, this poultice can be applied and kept for fifteen minutes and then removed. If the marble floor is only dirty and not stained, plain water can be used for mopping. If proper tile and grout cleaning methods are adopted you will have a nice clean looking kitchen floor.
Tile and grout cleaning done on a regular basis can help your kitchen or bathroom maintain its look and feel all year round. Grout is the cement like substance which joins the tiles on the floor and walls. To remove it a grout saw, a tool for scrapping or just a mixture of water and sugar can be poured over the tiles for softening the grout after which it can be removed. When you use the scraper tool or the grout saw for grout removal you need to be very careful not to damage the tiles.
A much easier solution other than being on your hands and knees for hours is to use a professional service. Hire an operator that has the Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) for tile and grout cleaning. The next qualification is the equipment. Truck mount systems with the proper tools offer high heat (200 degrees +), high pressure, extreme agitation and high vacuum for fast dry time.
Pocka Dola Tile Grout Cleaning Melbourne on your side. Call us now on (03) 9111 5619 for all your tile and grout cleaning needs. You’ll be glad you did!
