Tile and Grout Cleaning- Top Misconceptions
Tile and Grout Cleaning — STOP! Don’t Use Bleach!
Bleach is one of the first things people grab when a tile and grout surface gets dirty and dingy, smelly and discolored.
Even though bleach is great for general cleaning, as far as cleaning tile, this is a misconception. The only thing bleach will do is simply disinfect, which is good, and it will even whiten surfaces and remove stains, which is why people choose it for tile and grout cleaning and removing contaminants and stains. The bad news is that if people frequently use bleach it will weaken the structure of the grout and cause it to deteriorate and become brittle faster. For people to continue to believe in the myth will cause serious problems with your tile and grout surface, but not only bleach, other myths can also be destructive as well.
The Five Most Common Misconceptions
- Acids are safer for tile and grout cleaning.
REALITY: This is another common myth that people try to fix their tile and grout issues, which is, to say the least, problematic. Even though they may be good at cleaning the tile, when used often, or used too strong, they can be harsh and cause damage like eroding the grout and emitting vapors, which will tarnish fixtures like stainless partitions and faucets. If you must use acids, use only those who are specifically made for applications to tile and grout surfaces.
- To eliminate stubborn stains in grout joints, use a wire brush and aggressive scrubbing.
REALITY:
Another misconception that people should never do as this method can damage the grout. People should never use a brush any harsher than a soft or medium bristle along with a solution that cleans and emulsifies the dirt to enable a wet vac to remove it.
- A most effective way to do tile and grout cleaning is by using a mop.
REALITY: It can be if done correctly . The correct way to mop a tile and grout floor is by
- Using clean water to mop – If you do not use clean water, you will only be swirling the dirt around leaving a grimy and dull look when it dries.
- More clean water to rinse.
- After you mop and rinse the floor with clean water, remove all moisture using a wet vac.
TIP: As most residences do not have a wet vac, utilize a dry mop and/or towels to remove all moisture.
This insures all moisture is gone from the grout as well since the grout is not flush with the tile surface and tends to act like troughs. If the tile and grout floor has not been sealed, mop water will eventually get into the grout joints.
- To promote better cleaning, leave soapy water on the tile surface.
REALITY: Even though this method may help to loosen the dirt, never leave soapy water to dry because soapy residue is tacky and will draw dirt like a magnet. Always rinse the tile and grout floor with clean water, completely before using a wet vac.
- By sealing a tile and grout floor, you will no longer have to worry about contamination or the need of maintenance.
REALITY: No, not entirely. Although proper cleaning and sealing of the tile and grout
floor will reduce the need of maintenance, constant wear and tear will eventually erode the sealer in high traffic areas. This makes it necessary to periodically clean and refresh the sealer to continue to effectively repel food stains and dirty mop water.
In addition, because there is no such thing as a self cleaning floor, there will have to be routine sweeping and mopping. Getting a professional to do the job once a year can make maintaining your tile and grout much easier! Professional equipment is designed to penetrate the grout without disrupting the grouts integrity and giving it a thorough clean. If you need some professional help getting your tile and grout looking new again and sealing it to ensure is stays looking new then call
Gator Cleaning Solutions at
813-929-1122 !
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