Tile and grout can illuminate and give character to a room/home. From the very simple to complex and elaborate marbled tiles, there's something special about tile and grout. That said, tile and grout can be extremely difficult to clean and tough to care for. It is for this reason alone that you will so often see neglected tile and grout in both homes and places of business. There is hope however and the following tips will help you keep your tile and grout looking its best.
Why Bother? - Many home and business owners operate under the false assumption that their tile and grout looks great whether they've cleaned it or not. More often than not the simple sweeping and mopping these people do is believed to be enough to keep their floors looking sharp. Tile and grout soak up punishment easily, see a ton of foot traffic, and absorb spills rather quickly. Even the dirt and miscellaneous debris left behind from shoes sets into grout at a rapid rate and becomes difficult to remove. The beauty of tile and grout belie it's fragility in this regard.
Let's Check It Out! - Tile and grout are dirty before it actually begins to show signs of needing a cleaning so it's important to remember to visually inspect your floors at least once a week and even more frequently for tile and grout in heavy traffic areas. Look for grout that begins to look dull or off-white. This is a sure fire sign that it's time for some TLC. Tile may begin to lose it's luster as it becomes dirty as well but gritty looking grout is much easier to spot.
Be Proactive - A common mistake people make is strictly adhering to their tile and grout cleaning schedule. While routine cleanings are a good thing, it's foolhardy to ignore spills, stains, and pet messes as they happen. Clean these things as soon as they happen. Always keep a scrub brush, cleaning solution, and soft dry cloth handy...your floor will thank you for it and it will keep it looking healthier in between normal cleanings.
Mold And Mildew - When mold and mildew begin to grow on grout it can be extremely arduous to remove and eradicate. You can try and may have some success with retail grade cleaning solutions but you may need to take things to another level when this occurs. In some instances bleach is useful and will kill both mold and mildew but more often than not, mildew and mold run deep into grout and you'll need to hire a professional to help you out.
Good Tools - In order to properly clean tile and grout you'll either want to purchase industrial grade tools, which are expensive, or you'll need to hire a professional floor cleaner. Both are viable options though the experience the pros bring with them will almost always yield greater results than will good tools in inexperienced hands. Should you opt to go it alone do some research online to determine which tools are highly regarded and which ones are not. Additionally, you'll want to carefully select cleaning solutions that are both effective and eco-friendly/non toxic.
When In Doubt - Cleaning grout and tile, especially on a regular basis can be back breaking and tedious work. It can also become expensive when you factor in tools and cleaning solutions. Hiring a professional on the other hand is much more affordable than you might believe and doing so also allows you to spend your time doing something more important, be that work or recreation. Most professional floor cleaners charge by the square foot with the majority of homes costing $200-$400 a visit.
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