Key Takeaways –
- It’s essential to maintain the grout between your tile flooring.
- Unclean grouting damages your tile flooring’s overall health.
- It also leads to mold and mildew growth leading to serious health problems.
- To preserve your tile and grout, you need to prevent anything that can damage your surface's appearance.
- Also, ensure you follow the necessary maintenance procedures to enhance your tile's durability and preserve the grout.
- Professional cleaners offering residential cleaning can help clean your surfaces and preserve the grouting.
Tile is a popular flooring choice for homes, especially for bathrooms and kitchens, because it's durable and easy to clean. But even tiles can suffer from damage over time, and one of the most common issues is the grout between the tiles.
Here are five things you may not have known about grout!
If the grout in your home starts to look dirty or faded, don't despair - there are a few ways you can help preserve it and keep it looking new. Here are some great tips for preserving your grout!
Why Do You Need Grout and What Is It, Anyway?
Before we get into tips for preserving grout, it's essential to understand what it is and why it's necessary. Grout is a mortar type applied to the spaces between the tiles. It functions both as an adhesive and sealant, helping to keep the tile in place while also preventing water and dirt from seeping behind the tile and causing damage.
Grout is usually made from cement, water, sand, and sometimes colorants. Over time, the filling between tiles can become stained or cracked due to wear and tear. That's why cleaning experts recommend taking care of your grout - if it starts to deteriorate, it can cause severe problems for your tile flooring.
What Damages Grout and How to Prevent It
Spills and Stains
Grout is a porous material that can absorb spills and stains. To prevent this from happening, wipe up any spills as soon as possible. You can also use sealants on you're grouting to make it more resistant to staining.
Dirt and Dust
Dirt and dust can build up on grout over time, making it look dingy. The dirt and debris can also damage it, causing the tile to loosen and eventually wither away. To prevent this, sweep or vacuum your floors regularly and mop with a tile-specific cleaner. You can also use a steam mop for deep cleaning.
Mold and Mildew
Mold and mildew love dark, damp places - like the spaces between tiles and grout. Ensure your tiles and grout are always dry to prevent them from taking over. You can also use a mold-resistant tile sealant.
Also, make sure to read – Signs You Need Mold Remediation Immediately
Cracks and Chips
Tiles and grout can crack or chip over time. Inspect your tiles regularly for cracks or chips to prevent this from happening. If you find any, repair them as soon as possible. Use tile spacers to help keep your tiles in place and prevent them from shifting.
Wear and Tear
To prevent wear and tear, clean your tiles regularly with a soft brush or cloth. You can also use mats or rugs in high-traffic areas to protect your tile from wear and tear.
UV Damage
Grout can fade or discolor in sunlight. To prevent this, install blinds or curtains in rooms with tile floors. You can also use tile sealants to help protect the grout from UV damage.
Acidic cleaners
Acidic cleaners can wreak your tiles, causing grout to wither slowly. Use only neutral or alkaline cleaners on your tile and grout to prevent this. A mild soap and water solution is also enough to clean your tile and grout.
Preservation Tips - What You Can Do?
While contacting a professional cleaning service is a viable option to clean hard-to-reach areas, you must follow special preservation skills to ensure your residential cleaning needs don't exceed your affordability. Here are some tips for maintaining that natural tile shine:
Clean Regularly
The best way to preserve your expensive tiling is by keeping it clean all the time. This includes sweeping tile floors daily and vacuuming them at least once a week. Also, mopping tile floors with a solution of mild soap and water can help eliminate dirt, dust, and grease build-up. Don't forget to use a soft brush or sponge when cleaning grout lines.
Use Doormats
Debris can easily be tracked into your home, especially during the rainy or snowy season. Place doormats at all entrances of your home to prevent debris accumulation between tiles. Doormats will help remove dirt, dust, and mud from shoes before they get a chance to ruin your tile floors.
Wipe up Spills Immediately
Spills can occur anytime, anywhere in your home. When they do, it's important to wipe them up as soon as possible. Soft drinks, coffee, and other dark-colored liquids can easily stain tile and grout if not cleaned up right away.
Use the Right Cleaning Products
Not all cleaning products are created equal. Avoid using harsh chemicals or abrasive cleaners, as they can damage the tile and grout. Instead, opt for milder cleaners specifically designed for these surfaces.
Seal The Tile Regularly
Regular tile sealing creates an effective barrier against dirt, spills, and stains. Sealing also makes tile and grout much easier to clean.
Don't Use a Steam Cleaner
While steam cleaners may be effective on other surfaces, you should avoid using them to clean tiles. The high temperatures can damage the tile and cause the grout to crack or crumble.
Call in the Professionals
Sometimes it's best to leave tile and surface cleaning to the professionals. A professional tile and grout cleaning company has access to all the required tools and is experienced enough to get your surfaces looking like new again.
Whether you’re tackling tile cleaning for the first time or you’ve been at it for years, these tips will help preserve your surfaces and keep your living space looking great. If you need a hand getting started, don’t hesitate to reach out to Emerald Services in Keller, TX. Our team of experts is here to help with all of your tile and grout needs – from installation to restoration. Ready to get started?
Get a free estimate today!
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