Caring For Tile Floors Doesn’t Have to Be Hard

Tiles are possibly the most common choice for indoor flooring and perhaps for good reason. They provide your home with a neat and clean look and are easy to clean and maintain. Moreover tiles are water resistant and all in all are a very durable option for homeowners to do their flooring with.

However, overtime even tiles can become subject to aging. This can happen via dust accumulation, spills, grout and other factors. This leads many to wonder how to care for tile floors. Although tiles are known to be durable, they require regular maintenance in order to maintain their natural beauty.

If you are worried about your tile floors losing their cleanliness and beauty overtime, we are here to help. There are a few important steps that we recommend you taking to maintain the overall health, beauty and overall longevity of the tile floors. So let’s get started on learning how to care for tile floors.

1) Use The Vacuum

Anyone who has had to perform regular cleaning of their personal space knows how much dust can collect on a surface within a few days. Tile floors are no different and as time passes by, dust can make your tile floor look old and grimy.

Use a vacuum cleaner to clean up dust on a regular basis in order to care for your tile floor.

2) Mop it up

Another important step in tile floor maintenance is to regularly mop up the surface of the tile floor. Although mopping with just water can do wonders when cleaning tile floors, using slightly soaped water will help maintain your tile floor’s natural shine and beauty.

Make sure you dry the floor adequately after mopping it to avoid dust settling on the damp surface again.

3) Clean Spills Off The Tile Floors ASAP

While tile floors are generally easy to clean, some kinds of liquids and foods can easily stain the surface if not cleaned up as soon as possible. In order to clean up such spills use an absorbent cloth and some disinfectant and wipe the surface down.

Certain substances like raw meat and eggs can leave heavy stains on a tile floor and will require more aggressive scrubbing. Make sure you mop the floor with water afterwards as you don’t want the corrosive disinfectant to discolor your tile floor.

4) Dealing with Dirt Grout

Tiles that are used to floor kitchen and bathrooms are usually extremely stain resistant. However, the spaces between the tiles tend to become discolored and grimy overtime which will take away from your tile floors overall beauty.

Grout control is a big part of cleaning tile floors. Grout lines can be cleaned using a solution of baking soda and water mixed into a paste and scrubbed into the tile floor. Do not use a metal scrubber as these could leave scratches on the tiles. Instead, use an old toothbrush with soft bristles to really get in there.

Grout control in an essential aspect of tile floor maintenance and should be done after every few months.

5) Avoid Wearing Shoes

Another huge part of tile floor maintenance is trying to avoid allowing too much dirt from outside into the tiled room. By having family members and guests take off their shoes before entering your tiled floor, not only will you maintain your floor’s cleanliness but you will be forced to clean it less frequently.

Summary

To sum up, tiles are quite possibly the easiest type of flooring to maintain. However, overtime even your tile floors can become victim to dirt, grease and aging. To the question, how to care for tile floors, we answer, regular cleaning is key. Following these simple steps can do wonders for tile floor maintenance and will give your tile floor the longevity you desire.

Every beautifully tiled floor starts losing its luster after some time. Its overall appearance fades and gives off an untidy and unkempt look. Grout is the challenging part when it comes to tile cleaning. It is not entirely impossible to do it on your own, and there are many products available to pull it off.

However, hiring a professional to clean your tile floors can ease the work in many ways than taking the DIY route. Here are some reasons why it’s better and more feasible to hire a professional to clean your tile floors.

Time-Efficient

Tile cleaning is not exactly an easy job, especially if the area at hand is expansive. If you’re thinking about covering an extensive area on your own, it will cost you a lot of time.

The time you could have spent doing something more productive, such as running errands or preparing a good meal, would go into tile cleaning. In addition, there’s no guarantee of it turning out the way you had planned. Therefore, hiring a professional is going to save you a great deal of time.

Expertise in Tile Materials

Most homeowners have a common misconception that all tiles can be cleaned using the same material. However, that’s not entirely true.

Different tiles are made of different materials and should be cleaned with specific tools and products. For example, cleaning porcelain tiles is not the same as granite tiles.

Moreover, many homeowners make the mistake of overusing bleach or ammonia-based products for tile cleaning, which can cause discoloration. Also, using oil-based products can increase instances of falling and slipping.

Therefore, hiring a professional cleaner for tile floors will help your tiles get proper treatment. Professional cleaners also have the right knowledge and expertise to deal with a wide range of materials.

Original Quality Restoration

Replacing old flooring with new tile work every few years is not a feasible option. Instead, restoring the original appearance of your tiles by using the right professional service is reasonable as well as feasible. A Professional cleaner for tile floors doesn’t only clean your tiles and grout well but also uses professional-grade products to give them a brand new appearance.

An average homeowner needs professional-grade cleaning solutions, equipment, and expertise to clean and maintain their tiles properly. It is improbable for all of these to be available and attempting DIY approaches may bring more harm than good.

Therefore, when it comes to professional grout and tile cleaning, Dirty Grout is the expert you to ensure your flooring looks as good as new.

Centrally located in Cape Coral, Florida, Dirty grout provides safe and efficient services that enable them to clean and restore your grout and tiles meticulously. Call them today and have your floors receive the quality treatment they’ve been waiting for.

If the grout lines of your tile floor have gone from white to black, it is due time to hire a professional tile cleaner. They know exactly how to give your tiles a makeover and make them look brand new, increasing their durability and lifespan. You really need to think it through before investing in a tile cleaning company. Don’t be hasty with your decision.

Here are a few questions to ask before hiring a professional tile cleaner. 

1. How many years of experience do they have?

This is an important question to ask all professional cleaning companies. If your selected company does not have the right experience in the field, it could turn out as a total disaster. You will not just waste your money and time, but it could also result in possible damage to your tile floor. So, just ensure that the professional tile cleaner you hire is experienced and an expert in the field.

2. What products, methods, and equipment do they use?

All professional tile cleaning companies have their own unique set of products and cleaning methods. Make sure that the tile cleaners you select are highly professional with the products they use, so there is no compromise on service quality or probable damage to your tiles. 

Some companies use heavy machinery for grout and tile cleaning, for example pressure washers and carpet cleaners, but this does not work well with all types of floors. A professional tile cleaner will only use high-quality materials to provide you with the best possible results without damage. Don’t be afraid to ask about how they clean tile floors, so you have a clear picture of what to expect. 

3. Do they provide any guarantee of their work?

This is a crucial question because if you are not happy with the cleaning job, you need to have some backup or guarantee to ensure that your money is not going to complete waste. Most tile cleaning companies have started providing job guarantees where they come back and do the cleaning again if the customer is not 100% satisfied. This also helps build a great level of trust between a customer and the professional tile cleaner.

4. Professional Tile Cleaners work practices?

It would be best if you get clarity about your professional tile cleaning company’s work practices to ensure that the rest of the house will not be a mess after they leave. Select a professional tile cleaner that knows how to protect the surrounding areas or items of your home, including carpets, furniture, cabinets, etc.

5. What does their contract cover?

If there is something on the tile cleaning company’s contract that you need further clarity on, don’t hesitate to ask them. Since your home, time, and money is at stake, you don’t want to take any major risks. It’s always better to have transparency and everything on paper in such cases.

Hire a Professional Tile Cleaning Company

These were all the crucial questions to ask before hiring a professional tile cleaner. Any reliable cleaning company would never shy away from answering all these questions. My Dirty Grout is one of them. We are a professional grout and tile cleaning company serving the SW Florida area. Our work speaks for itself. We are confident that once you avail our services, you would never look for another tile cleaning company. 

For more information, please contact us today.

‘I don’t like clean tile floors.’ said no one ever.

When it comes to maintaining and cleaning commercial tile floors, mopping alone is not enough as it only removes surface-level dirt. Commercial tile floors are more prone to wear and tear as they experience high traffic, gradually losing their charm. Hence, it is highly essential to get them professionally cleaned to make them shine and last longer. But the question is, ‘How often commercial tile floors should be cleaned?’ 

How Often Should Commercial Tiles Be Cleaned

Factors to Consider

Regular cleaning of commercial tile floors helps improve the look and appearance of your tiles and increases their life span in the longer run. The frequency of getting your commercial tiles cleaned is dependent on various factors. For each different type of tile floor, the cleaning approach will vary. Here are a few important factors you should consider when deciding how often to get your commercial tiles cleaned.

Tile Material

Flooring tiles come in various designs and materials. They are used depending on the look and feel of the place. Some common tile materials used in commercial locations or offices are carpet, wood, vinyl, or ceramic. Carpet and wooden tiles are used for a more warm and homely ambiance. Vinyl tiles are used in a more fast-paced and commercial environment, while ceramic tiles work great when you are looking for a more refined and elegant look.

As a general rule of thumb, all commercial tile floors need to be professionally cleaned at least twice a year. However, carpet tiles are supposed to be washed and deep-cleaned at least three times a year as they absorb more dirt and grease that cannot be cleaned by vacuum or mop alone.

Foot Traffic

Areas with moderate traffic such as lobbies, halls, and conference rooms should be professionally cleaned three to four times a year to maintain the tiles’ quality and durability.

When it comes to high foot-traffic areas like the entrance/foyer, bathroom, and cafeteria, professional tile cleaning should be carried out every month. To ensure a safe and hygienic environment free of excessive dirt and bacteria, it is quite essential to deep clean the floors regularly.

Exposure to dirt

How often you clean your commercial tile floors depends on how much it is exposed to dust. Areas with a higher footfall or more open spaces have more dust coming in than other indoor area. Such floors that are in constant exposure to dirt and dust should be professionally cleaned at least three to four times a year. Similarly, areas with moderate or little exposure should be cleaned at least two times a year.

Get Experts to Clean Your Commercial Tile Floors

Getting regular cleaning of your commercial tile floor by a professional cleaning service is extremely essential if you wish to restore the hidden glory of your floor. 

My Dirty Grout has a team of trained expert that provide professional tile cleaning services in the SW Florida area. Our professionals are highly skilled in making your commercial tile floor look as good as new. We also provide professional grout repair and maintenance services. To find out more about us and our services, please contact us today.

Wondering if it’s possible to put new grout on top of old grout? Yes, absolutely.

But is it the right thing to do? Probably not.

Let’s dive right in to discover why regrouting is necessary and what’s the best way to do it.

Regrout to Give Your Space a Whole New Look

No matter how well you’d sealed your grout, you may notice it cracking, separating, or crumbling after some time. Grout is porous and can absorb liquid and contaminants that may cause it to degrade. In addition to making your tiles unsightly, grungy grout can result in serious problems if you don’t do anything about the water sinking between the joints of the tiles.

If you spot cracks, stains, or mold, it’s time to regrout your tile surfaces! A new application of grout won’t only make your tiles look cleaner but also more resistant to water and impurities.   

So Is It Okay to Put New Grout on Top of Old Grout?

When it comes to regrouting, the first thing to come to your mind may be to apply a new layer of grout over the old layer. Below are a couple of reasons you shouldn’t do this.

• Regrouting over existing grout means the new mixture may not properly adhere to the tile edges, exposing the material to water and potentially harmful substances. Even if you plan to add grout just where it has cracked or separated, it’ll likely break away after some time and you’ll be back at square one.
• Applying grout over existing grout doesn’t look appealing. You may still see the old layer of grout below the new layer. Besides, if you want to treat only a few areas, you’ll easily notice a difference between the regrouted and untreated surfaces.   

What’s the Best Way to Refresh Your Grout?

While it’s not a good idea to grout over top of existing grout, you don’t necessarily have to remove all the grout either. Complete replacement of the grout can be costly and time-consuming and is often unrequired.

What’s important is to wipe and chip the dirty, cracked grout so that the new layer can adhere well. While at it, look for any problems that may have caused the grout to get dirty and moldy. Make sure you address these issues before laying down the fresh layer of grout.

Here are the steps you need to follow when regrouting.

1. Scrape all the bits of old grout before you begin
2. You can use a vacuum to ensure the surface is thoroughly cleaned
3. Wash the floor or walls to remove dirt
4. Mix the grout as per the instructions and use a grout float to spread it evenly into all the joints
5. Wash the area with a damp sponge and smoothen the joints
6. Allow the grout to dry before rewashing the surface
7. Use a clean, dry towel to buff it and let it sit for a week before sealing

Alternatively, you can call tile and grout cleaning specialists at My Dirty Grout and put the hard work on auto-pilot. For tile and grout cleaning, restoration, and sealing services, get in touch with us.  

What Can You Do About It?

Cracked grout is a common household problem that you can easily prevent and fix. Cracks and breaks in the grout may develop as a result of age but oftentimes, they occur because of improper tile installation or faulty grout mixing.                                                     

Why is Cracked Grout a Problem?

If you spot a crack or two in the grout, you must fix them before things go out of hand. When left unaddressed, these cracks may cause the tile to break. The longer you wait, the worse the situation will get. Ultimately, you will have to put in more effort and money into repairs. Needless to say, it is easier and cheaper to fix cracked grout than to install a new tile.

If you ignore the early warning signs, the cracked grout will affect the surrounding tiles, resulting in more cracks. Imagine how unattractive your wall, floor, or countertop will look with all those cracks!

Eventually, you will have to replace the whole tiling, which can be pretty expensive. Before you reach out to a professional for help, you may want to investigate the situation and get down to the root cause of the problem.

Common Causes of Cracked Grout

Oftentimes, cracked grout is caused as a result of the movement between two surfaces, resulting from foundation settling, temperature, humidity, and other environmental factors. Since most grout is made of inflexible material, cracks may develop when one item moves one way and the other moves in the opposite direction.

Apart from this, mixing the grout with too much water or additives during the tile installation process can leave air pockets after it has completely dried. Such weak and brittle grout is susceptible to cracking. Another reason for grout cracking is the minimal use of adhesive for tile installation. If the tile detaches from the wall after the glue has fully dried, the grout may not be able to hold it in place and may crack.      

Pressure washing is also one of the most common causes of cracked grout. Many property owners opt for this procedure to keep their tiles looking like new without realizing that it can accelerate the process of grout cracking through over-saturation.  

How to Deal With Grout Problems

First and foremost, you must hire a professional and trained installer to do the tile and grout work for you. They will use good-quality grout and proven techniques to minimize the chances of cracked grout. In case you do spot any cracks, you must reach out to them to nip the issue in the bud before it ruins the entire tiling. Furthermore, you should avoid using a pressure washer to clean your tiles.

My Dirty Grout is the only grout and tile cleaning business in the SW Florida area that knows how to leave your tiling sparkling clean without cracking grout. Our experts use the state-of-the-art steam cleaning technique to get the dirt and grime out of your tiles. After cleaning, we apply a premium-grade sealer to protect the grout so it looks as good as new!

We also specialize in cracked grout repair and maintenance, saving you the time, money, and hassle of replacing the tiles. To learn more about our services, feel free to contact us today.

You should be aware of the dangers of water seeping through your shower grout. 

Tile Floor and Water Damage

A new tile floor in superb condition may look invincible. You might think that the hard surface is impervious to damage. But that is not the case; under certain circumstances, tile floors can sustain serious damage especially from water leakage.

If you do not seal your grout at the right intervals, then water may seep through. Your tile floor may sustain water damage due to this leakage. Not only will this damage tiles, but it will also harm the underlying subfloor.

How Your Tile Floor Can Undergo Water Damage

Water damage to your tile floors can happen quite insidiously. You may not even be aware that it is happening. And it does not transpire overnight. Rather, it takes a long time for water damage to irreversibly ruin your tile floor.

So you have a major problem on your hands by the time you notice water damage since this had been going on for a long time and going from bad to worse.

Water leakage can have several sources. Leaking water pipes are a major cause. There can be water seepage and condensation from appliances, doors, and windows as well.

Why Grout Matters For Your Tile Floor

Grout is an important line of defense against water seepage. So if the grout is in bad shape then this will leave your beautiful and expensive tile floor exposed to water damage. Loose, chipped, missing, and cracked grout will let water through which will ultimately damage your tile floor unless the problem is remediated in time.

Damaged grout is a source of other problems as well. It can become the site of mold growth if it is not cleaned properly. Broken grout is also bad news for your tile floors since it stabilizes them by holding them rigidly in one position. So if the grout is missing or damaged, then your tiles may shift and even lift from their original position.

When that happens, the subfloor is exposed to water damage. Any harm to the subfloor will further weaken your entire tile floor due to which tiles can break loose. Accumulating water can also make your damp and dark subfloor an ideal environment for mold, mildew, pests, and so on.

Flooding from storms, rain, and plumbing failures could lead to water leakage especially if the grout is broken and/or unsealed. You may dry out the water following the flooding, but you may not be able to do anything about the water that has leaked into your tile floor. The end result of this leakage is water damage.

The Solution for Water Seepage and Damage

Hence, the key to preventing water damage to your tile floor is to maintain your grout and keep it in good shape. Your grout should look clean, solid, and undamaged.

You should also ensure that you reseal your grout annually so that it remains waterproof and resistant to discoloration, dirt, and debris. Sealing your grout will extend its lifespan and allow this key structural component to protect your tile floor.

Do you need to reseal the grout or fix it? Now that you know the dangers of water seeping through your shower grout, you should wait no longer and call in the pros at Dirty Grout with years of experience and knowledge.

Contact Dirty Grout»

With tile flooring cleaning, it might appear that more is better. But you will have to work out an optimum tile cleaning schedule to balance your life.

How Often Should I Clean My Tiles?

Knowing the answer to “how often should I clean my tile flooring?” is important; for extra cleaning could entail a lot of hard work with few returns.

Once a day should be enough for the majority of homeowners. But this is not written in stone.

You could get away with cleaning once every two days if your place does not gather too much dust and if human traffic is light. This could work well in your favor especially if you are busy.

For areas prone to more dust and human traffic, cleaning tiles every day is advisable.

You can deploy something like the Swiffer Dry Pad to clean up your tile floor nicely.

Pro Tips for Cleaning Your Tile Floor

Here are some pro tips for cleaning your tiles and maintaining their pristine condition.

• Use a good tile cleaner recommended by your tile manufacturer. Don’t resort to DIY blends and concoctions. They could indelibly ruin your tile floor. Say an emphatic NO to acids and bleaches.
• Combat dust on your tile floors with a damp mop. Just make sure that the mop is not soaking wet. Excessive wetness will leave behind unsightly streaks on your tile floor.
• Never use steel brushes or hard, sharp, and/or abrasive implements for cleaning up stubborn dirt on your tile floor. The ensuing scratches will not go away.
• Hire the pros (Dirty Grout) to apply a sealant to your tile floors. This will make your tile floor resilient to dirt, dust, stains, and discoloration.
• Clean tiles at the right frequency so that they carry a minimal layer of dust on average. Dust could get embedded in your tiles and fade their alluring luster.

Dust could also creep into your grout and give it a horrid nasty look. Grout is highly susceptible to dust since it is so porous.

Thus, grout should be the focal point of tile cleaning and maintenance.

Why Grout Matters for Clean Tile Floors

No matter how much you scrub and rub your tiles, bad grout will still make your tile floor look atrociously filthy. All the drudgery in the world can’t make dirty grout look even remotely decent. Chipping, flaking, and dirt-encrusted grout is more than enough to ruin even the most high-end tile floor.

So if you are serious about sprucing up your tile floor for a dazzling clean look, then show due regard for your precious grout. Undoubtedly, grout is highly functional and hence essential for stabilizing your tile floor. And sparkling clean grout looks brilliantly immaculate.

Love your tile floor and want to treat it with lots of TLC? Then you should hire the pros to keep it in prime condition so that visitors can’t help but lavish praise on your clean tile floor. You will be justly rewarded for hiring the right people for the right job. With us, your tile floor is in good hands.

Whether it is applying sealant, maintenance, fixing and cleaning grout, or any tile related job, we will prove up to the task thanks to our long experience, knowledge, and unswerving dedication.

Contact Dirty Grout Today» 

Does steam cleaning damage grout?

When done with care, steam cleaning does not normally damage grout.

In fact, steam cleaning may be milder alternative to other harsher methods of cleaning grout.

How Steam Cleaning Works for Grout

Steam cleaning does not use caustic chemicals to clean up muck, grime and debris from grout. Instead, it uses superheated steam for clearing up dirt and debris from grout. Since there are no other chemicals involved, the grout does not dissolve or chip away as is possible when harsh chemicals are used.

Do the extensions used in steam cleaning damage grout? Since the nylon brush extension is very mild and soft, it will not harm your grout. In fact, the nylon brush is so soft that it is a milder cleaning method as compared to other grout cleaning techniques.

Thus, the nylon brush extension used in steam cleaning is unlikely to chip off or break up grout.

Steam cleaning is a viable cleaning method for grout that can leave your tile floors and walls looking sparkling clean and white. Visitors and beholders will be mesmerized by the sparkling white grout on your floor and wall tiles. They will start wondering how you can keep your grout looking so sparkling, clean and dazzling.

Steam Cleaning Benefits for Grout

Steam cleaning may be a better choice for those who suffer from allergies and respiratory illnesses. Those with such conditions often cannot stand the stench that lingers in the wake of chemical cleaning.

A key advantage of steam cleaning is that unlike chemical cleaning it leaves behind no lingering irritating smell. Mild detergent may be all that you need for steam cleaning grout. Hence, steam cleaning is as gentle as it gets.

Steam cleaning at the right frequency is essential if you want your grout to remain in prime condition. If you steam clean too often, then the grout sealant could get disrupted and there may be moisture entrapment. If you clean too infrequently, then the grout may start looking visibly dirty in the days prior to steam cleaning. Cleaning a dirty grout floor can be more laborious and time-consuming.

The steam cleaner can work for a wide variety of tiles and grout. Thus, if you have tiles made of travertine, granite, marble, porcelain or ceramic, you can clear off dirt and debris from them using the steam cleaner.

The secret to the steam cleaner is the superheated steam. This steam is hot and powerful enough to melt the toughest and most stubborn grime from your grout. In most cases, you will not need any extra chemical besides perhaps mild detergent. When you apply steam from the steam cleaner, the dirt will become loose enough for the nylon brush attachment to clear it up almost effortlessly.

Among the many benefits of steam cleaning is that you often do not need additional strong chemicals for the grout cleaning job since steam itself is a powerful cleaning solution.

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