Important Things to Avoid in Order to Preserve Your Grout

Your grout serves an important role in protecting your tile and the floors or walls behind it. However, your grout is a lot more delicate than you might think. Many types of ground include sand, silica, and other materials that are bound together in a porous structure. Those materials can degrade over time, and they can trap dirt and other debris inside. You have to be careful how you treat your grout arround Gilbert so that it can continue to protect your tile and look great.

Here are a few things you should always avoid so that you do not inadvertently damage your grout:

Harsh Cleaners

You need cleaners that are specially designed for Gilbert tile and grout. Otherwise, you risk ruining both with the wrong chemicals contained in the cleaners. For example, bleach can oxidize grout and cause it to discolor. It can also break down the grout. You should also avoid acidic cleaners, such as vinegar or citric cleansers, which can dissolve the grout. Oil-based and wax cleaners should also be avoided since they can leave behind a sticky film that will attract dirt and cause staining.

The best thing you can do is use simple water and a mild soap to clean your tile floors or walls. If you need something stronger, look for a product that is specifically designed for tile, or call a professional grout cleaning service in Gilbert.

Harsh Scrubbers

Maybe you think that you can skip the harsh cleaners and still get the job done by scrubbing away with steel wool or some other harsh scrubber. You may not be breaking down the grout with the cleaner, but you will be damaging it with the scrubber. That repetitive motion and the hard material can wear away at the grout and even scratch or dull the tile.

You should stick to a soft mop or a soft-bristled brush for everyday cleaning of your tile. If you need something with more teeth, look for a product designed specifically for tile, such as a granite cleaning pad or nylon brush.

Colored Liquids and Cleaners

Some cleaners have a color like orange or blue from the additives in them, such as scents. If you use them on your tile, you run the risk of discoloring it and the grout instead of cleaning it. The liquid can seep deep into the pores of the tile and grout, and it can stay there. The dye can permanently discolor the Gilbert tile and the grout.

Be careful about other colored liquids also, such as spills of wine and other drinks. Clean them up immediately, and flush out whatever you can with water.

Too Much Water

Water may be the safest material for your tile and stone, but too much of anything can be a bad thing. Too much water flooding your tile and grout can cause it to break down. The water can loosen the adhesive and get to the materials behind the tile, causing rot. It can also lead to the growth of mold and mildew.

Just use enough water to clean your grout and no more. If you have a spill or leak, clean it up immediately to limit any damage to your tile or grout.

Keeping your grout clean doesn’t take much effort. You just need to sweep and mop it to keep it clean and dry. Just make sure you are using the right cleansers and the right tools so that you don’t inadvertently damage your grout or your tile. Clean up spills as quickly as possible, and keep the area dry, even after showers and baths.

If your tile or grout becomes discolored, you should call the professionals at Desert Tile and Grout Care for tile and grout cleaning. We offer tile floor restoration, which will clean your tile and grout, as well as restore it to the beautiful color it once was. In many cases, we can make your tile and grout look like new. We accomplish this without the use of harsh cleaners or scrubbers, so your tile and grout will last as long as possible. Contact us in Gilbert to learn more about our tile floor cleaning service or to request an estimate.