How to Avoid Damage When Cleaning Grout

When tile floors and countertops start to look old and dingy, it’s usually not because of the tile itself. It’s usually because of the grout – the lines between the tile. Water, food, and other debris often runs off the tile and into the groove with the grout. It’s hard to clean out, so it sits there, setting in the stain and causing bacteria to proliferate.

Regular tile grout cleaning will keep your floors and countertops looking good. It’s best to hire a Phoenix grout cleaning company for periodic service to refresh your tile, but you should also stay on top of regular cleaning and maintenance between professional cleanings. Just make sure you don’t inadvertently damage your tile while you are cleaning it. Here are a few things you need to avoid so you don’t damage your grout:

Using Too Much Water

You need water to clean your floors, but you shouldn’t use too much water when cleaning grout. The grout is porous, and water will seep into the surface, breaking down the grout Not only will you compromise the structural integrity of the grout and the tile by using too much water when you are cleaning, but you will also contribute to the growth of mold, mildew, and bacteria.

Limit the water you use and focus on using an appropriate cleaner for scrubbing the tiles and grout instead.

Using Coarse Scrubbers

Grout is more delicate than it appears. It fills the space between the tile and lasts a long time with good care, but it can also be damaged easily. Using a coarse scrubber like steel wool can remove granules from the grout, leaving holes in it and making it more porous and more vulnerable to future damage.

It’s best to use a soft cloth or, if you must, a simple scrubber like what’s included on the back of a kitchen sponge. If you need anything stronger than that, you probably have set-in stains that need a professional to address.

Using Harsh Chemicals

Harsh chemicals and acids will break down the grout, cutting its lifespan short. You will have to have the tile re-grouted, which can be expensive and a timely process. Even if the damage is not that extensive, it will certainly be enough to let more water and debris into your grout, which will create more stains and odors.

Use mild cleansers on a regular basis to remove dirt before it has a chance to create a stain. Simply mopping your floors or wiping down your counters should be enough to keep them clean if you do it often enough. Of course, you should always clean up spills immediately before they have a chance to stain. It’s when you let this regular maintenance go that stains form and you have to resort to harsher cleaners that can damage your grout.

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Leaving Furniture Unprotected

Wooden and metal legs on couches, chairs, and tables can all scratch, chip, or otherwise damage certain kinds of tile. Even if you think you are being careful, you can make a mistake and accidentally put down a piece of furniture too hard or move it too quickly, causing scratches or chips. Or, if you have an uneven tile, furniture can catch on it when you try to move it across the floor.

Always protect the bottom of your furniture with felt pads to avoid damage to your tile and grout. Then be careful when you are moving furniture in your home, even if you are only moving it a few feet.

Tile and grout are not hard to maintain, but you do need to be careful about what cleaners or methods you use. Otherwise, you’ll be calling in the professionals for tile and grout restoration or repair. You can also call a company for thorough tile and grout cleaning in Phoenix to get results without causing damage.

Desert Tile & Grout Care offers professional tile and grout cleaning that gets results. We can remove years of set-in dirt and other stains so that you can enjoy the beauty of your tile floors or countertops once again. We use the right cleaners and methods to refresh your tile and grout without damage either. If stains are not able to be removed, we also offer grout restoration. Call us today in Arizona to get an estimate or to learn more about our services.