How to Clean Grout & Tile, GroutMedicDenver.com

As the rest of the refrain from the popular song goes: “But the fire is so delightful and since we’ve no place to go. Let it Snow. Let it Snow”

Welcome or not this is the time of year for cold and snow and if you have tile in entry ways and other common areas of your home you could be allowing your grout and tile to be damaged.

During times of inclement weather it’s all but impossible not to track dirt and snow into your home. As the snow, brought inside by shoes and boots, melts, it can settle into grout lines of your tile floors causing discoloration and a build up of dirt.

This damage to grout can be prevented by applying a strong sealant to your grout lines. The sealer penetrates your grout and prevents dirt and water from causing discoloration and uneven wear patterns from developing.

Of course once you seal your floors a proper maintenance program is a must. Clean your floor regularly with a pH neutral cleaner and don’t allow water sit on you tile and grout.

If you already have stains and discoloration it’s not too late to remedy the situation. The Grout Medic can clean and seal your grout to make your floor look new.

When the weather outside is frightful you wouldn’t walk outside naked, so don’t leave your grout exposed to the elements. Call you local restoration specialist and schedule an appointment for your grout to be cleaned and sealed.

Batman has The Joker, Superman has Lex Luthor and your shower’s tile and grout has water damage.

If you recently had your tile surface re-grouted or you just want to maintain and or clean your existing grout there are several things to keep in mind when choosing a cleaner.

 Many common household cleaners are very corrosive and if you recently sealed your grout, the corrosive nature of these chemicals can breakdown the sealer. The result will be dirty or moldy grout.

 So choose a cleaner that is as pH neutral as possible. In some instances these cleaners can be found in your kitchen. Vinegar or baking soda can be effective cleaners. Dilute the vinegar with equal parts water or make a paste with the baking soda and a small amount of water.

 There are also several cleaners, available at your local retailers that work as well. The link below provides good real life example some of these common cleaners in action.

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QMuEKl9I91A

 Whichever rout you choose be sure to test your cleaner on a small area to make sure it won’t damage your grout. Use a stiff brush for scrubbing, avoid toothbrushes because they are too soft and avoid brushes with metal bristles. The metal could wear away and damage you grout.

Also remember that if you have colored grout do not use bleach. Your grout may be clean but it will be discolored.

Of course when all else fails you can call you local grout restoration specialist.

As the leaves change color and the temperatures continue to fall, the focus of many home improvement projects shifts from outside to inside.
 
But where to start? Grout Medic of Denver Has the answer! Why not start in one of the most used rooms in your house; the bathroom.  Over time common household cleaners, which are highly corrosive, break down grout and caulking. This gradual breakdown allows room for mold and mildew to grow inside grout and behind caulking. Many frustrated homeowners attack these stains and residues with the very cleaners that helped cause the problem.
 
When the problem gets bad, many consider removing tile and starting over. But wait, hope is not lost!! Before you look into such a costly repair, consider consulting a grout restoration specialist.  By cleaning and sealing your grout and replacing the caulking, the problem areas in your bathroom can be restored to their original condition. Your restoration process doesn’t end there. The final step is to stop using those corrosive cleaners that can break down grout sealantand destroy antimicrobial properties of your bathroom’s caulking. Please tune back next week as we explain what cleaners are best to use.