Cleaning the tile and grout in a home can be a difficult and time-consuming task. It’s why so many people are looking for tips and tricks to make the process easier. However, many common DIY tips for grout care do more harm than good when it comes to protecting the look and longevity of your tile and grout. At Grout Brothers, we know the ins and outs of proper care for tile and grout. We know what works as well as what doesn’t. Here are four common misconceptions about cleaning tile and grout that do more harm than good.
It’s essential to regularly clean tile and grout surfaces by mopping them or wiping them down. However, choosing the wrong cleaners or using dirty mop water can do more harm than you realize. Tile and grout are porous surfaces, which means they can soak up some liquids if the tile and grout aren’t sealed. Using dirty mop water can lead to dingy stains on the surface. Similarly, if a cleaning agent has a color, that color can end up staining the tile and grout. Changing your mop water frequently, and choosing your chemicals wisely can prevent these issues.
Muriatic acid is a chemical that’s used for industrial purposes, pool cleaning, and more. It’s a powerful acid that can be used to clean stubborn surface stains, but it shouldn’t be used for tile and grout. Muriatic acid is extremely powerful, and using on tile and grout surfaces can permanently damage the areas you’re trying to clean. Damage from muriatic acid can be so bad that the user may end up regrouting or replacing the tile. One of the benefits of working with Grout Brothers is that we only use chemicals that are safe for your family and the environment to restore the tile and grout of your home.
Vinegar is another substance that’s commonly touted as a natural alternative to chemical cleaners. While vinegar has plenty of uses around the home, cleaning the tile and grout of a structure isn’t one of those uses. Vinegar may be natural, but it’s also very acidic. And since grout is composed of cementitious mortar, it can be dissolved by acidic cleaners such as vinegar. Using straight vinegar on your tile and grout will dissolve the top layer of the grout. Things may look cleaner, but removing part of the grout will make it, so you need to regrout sooner.
Bleach is one of the most potent cleaning chemicals the average person has in their home. Trying to use the power of bleach to clean tile and grout does more harm than good. Bleach is a chemical that is too harsh for the grout; it erodes the grout and can cause discoloration. Grout Brothers can address discoloration in tiles by using a color sealer when we clean the tiles and grout in a home. Color sealer is a sealer that has color added to it. Not only does the color sealer seal the grout, but it also makes the grout color consistent, which makes the tile floors look new. Our high-quality color sealers can last up to 15 years.
If you need help cleaning the tile and grout in your home and you’re located in Sarasota, Lakewood Ranch, Venice, North Port or surrounding areas, Grout Brothers can help! Send us a message online to get a free quote or to ask questions about tile and grout cleaning.
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