Your tile floors are one of the most precious parts of your home, and to keep them sparkling, you need to learn everything about tile and grout cleaning. There are many tile and grout cleaning products out there that promise to make the task easy, but how can you tell which one is best?
There are also tile and grout cleaning services to hire so that you don’t have to worry about any of that and you can simply enjoy your floors. Choosing the right tile and grout cleaning products in Ashburn, VA could be a difficult job, so you might skip all that by hiring professionals.
Before heading out to buy a tile and grout cleaning machine, let the experts from our grout and tile cleaning service in Ashburn, VA tell you about which products work and which don’t. This article will give you everything you need to know about tile and grout cleaning in Ashburn, VA.
Which Type Of Tile And Grout Cleaning Product To Select
To get the tile and grout of your floors looking its best, you must select the right product for the job. You can choose one that you spray and leave on for some time, or one that you clean right away. Both have their pluses and minuses. If you can afford today’s cleaning service prices, you can absolutely hire one, and let them do the job for you. However, sometimes, things are better to do the cleaning yourself. It’s also quite therapeutic.
You need to understand that tile and grout are two different things. The tile is waterproof and easier to clean than grout. The reason grout is harder to clean is that it is more porous so the tiny pieces of sand inside it can be scrubbed away.
Grout normally looks dirtier than tile because dirt and grime have a more difficult time sticking to the tile. Grout on the other hand can have particles stuck to it and then it starts to look red or black, which can be bad for some people to look at. Therefore, choose a cleaner that will be tough on the grout.
Active Ingredients
Grout and tile cleaners need to have the right ingredients to lift grime, as well as kill bacteria. Look for a product with baking soda that does a fantastic job of lifting dirt and eliminating odors.
Baking soda could be called sodium bicarbonate on the product’s label. This is a good indication that it will clean well. With house cleaning services prices getting higher, and you just want to do the cleaning on your own, you can surely rely on baking soda.
Bleach is a great way to kill bacteria and brighten lighter-colored grout. Bleach could be called sodium hypochlorite if it is chlorine-based. There is also hydrogen peroxide, which is an oxygen-based bleach that could be less dangerous to handle.
Tile Material And The Right Cleaners
Every type of tile is different, so you should try to identify which type of tile you have and use an appropriate cleaner on it. Some cleaners could even be damaging to certain types of tiles, so you want to be sure you know what you are doing.
Some of the different types of tiles and some of the cleaning tips that will help you care for them are:
- Porcelain- This super hard tile can take a lot of different cleaners, so you don’t have to be too careful when selecting a good one.
- Marble- This tile is made from natural stone, and it is sensitive to acidic compounds, which can cause etching. Therefore, avoid acidic cleaners like vinegar.
- Ceramic- this type of tile can stand up to many kinds of cleaners, even harsh ones like vinegar.
If you don’t know which type of tile you have, you can test different cleaning products on small areas out of sight. Wait a few days to see if the cleaner had any bad effects on your tile, then proceed with that cleaner if it works well. You might also want to look into ideas for modern kitchen countertops that are easy to clean.
The Time It Takes To Clean Tile And Grout
As mentioned before, you need to pay attention to the instructions about how long to leave a cleaner on your floors. You might do damage if you leave it too long, and you might not get good results if you don’t leave a cleaner on long enough.
Always read the instructions on your cleaning product for the best results. If you aren’t sure about what the instructions say, you can contact the manufacturer and have them explain to you what you should do with it.
Methods Of Application
When selecting the top tile and grout cleaning product for your home, you need to think about how you want to do your cleaning. Some cleaners might require lots of hard scrubbing, while others might require more gentle and prolonged scrubbing. This is important, most especially if you just had a kitchen makeover.
There is the possibility that you can clean your tile and grout with a mop. That could be convenient if you don’t like spending time on your hands and knees scrubbing at grout.
Never scrub too hard on the grout in your tile floors. Too vigorous scrubbing can cause the sand in the grout to loosen, then you could have bigger problems, like leaking, down the road.
Health Considerations While Cleaning Tile And Grout
You can never be too careful with your health, and some cleaners might be too harmful to you. Be sure to wear all of the personal protective equipment you need for the job. It is one of those house cleaning tips you should never miss out on! This may include:
- Gloves
- Goggles
- Long clothing
Some cleaners might have harsh fumes that would require you to wear an expensive respirator mask. Always be on guard when using cleaners, and don’t let them splash onto your skin.
Can I Make A Tile And Grout Cleaner On My Own?
There are many recipes out on the internet about how to create your own tile and grout cleaner with ingredients you might already have in your pantry. As mentioned before, vinegar and baking soda can create excellent bases for tile and grout cleaners.
The problem with creating your own cleaners is that you are never sure that they will work. You might have to try many different recipes before you find the combination that works best in your home. This is why so many people choose to buy tile and grout cleaners at the store.
You also need to be careful when mixing different compounds on your own. For example, never mix ammonia and bleach. This creates a toxic gas that could make you feel sick or worse.
For free consultation about tile and grout cleaning services, call us or simply visit us on Facebook!
