Tile and grout are one sometimes overlooked in terms of cleaning and management. They are the common grounds of accumulation and growth of bacteria, as well as molds and mildew, that is why it is very necessary to keep them clean.
There are several ways that will help you clean your tiles and grout. These usually involve a combination of common household cleaning materials such as the following:
1. Baking soda and vinegar. Three parts baking soda is mixed with one part water to form a paste. This is applied to the grout lines. One part vinegar is now mixed with one part water and is placed in a spray bottle. This is sprayed to the grout lines with the baking soda paste. Fizzing will be noticed which indicates that the cleaning solution works. When the fizzing stops, a nylon bristle brush is used to scrub the surface. After scrubbing, the surface is rinsed and mopped with clean water.
2. Oxygenated bleach and water. Two tablespoons of oxygenated bleach is dissolved in two cups of water and is mixed thoroughly to ensure activation of the bleach. This solution is applied to a small portion of the surface to test whether it will cause discoloration. If not, the solution can be poured over the grout lines and let it sit for a few minutes. Again, using a nylon bristle brush, the grout lines are scrubbed to obtain optimum results. Lastly, the surface is rinsed with water and let dry.
3. Dish soap, hydrogen peroxide and baking soda. A paste that consists of ¾ cup baking soda, ¼ cup hydrogen peroxide, and 1 tablespoon of dish soap is mixed and is applied to the grout lines. Let it sit for a few minutes to allow the chemical reaction to occur. A toothbrush or a nylon bristle brush is then used to scrub the lines to manually loosen and remove all the dirt. Warm water is used to rinse the surface in order to clean out the grease that may have been cleaned by the dish soap.
These methods require you to create concoctions and pastes that are applied to the surface and then scrub and wipe them manually, which can be tedious and tiring for some of you. The use of vinegar and bleach can be damaging to some types of surfaces like natural stone. It is therefore necessary to test each method on portions of the surface to make sure that they do not cause any discoloration or corrosion. These help you remove accumulated dirt but do not necessarily sterilize the tiles.
Another more convenient method of cleaning grout and tiles is the use of steam cleaner. The long handle of the steam cleaner helps you reach into the areas where the tiles are placed and get away with scrubbing and wiping.
Don’t fret because the most efficient way of getting your tiles cleaned is getting professional cleaners. Our cleaners use high quality cleaning materials that are safe to use and do not leave any foul odors, unlike the household cleaners that may smell funny after. We also use very efficient and functional equipment to aid us in cleaning. The option of deeper grout cleaning with the use of high-powered pressure washers can also be availed. Carpet Cleaning Santee can provide professional cleaning services that will leave your tiles and grouts spotless without the hassle of doing all the work from preparing your pastes and solutions to the scrubbing and rinsing afterwards. Plus, it reduces your risk of you damaging your pressure surfaces.
