Nothing looks worse than a dirty tile floor. Even if your entire house is clean, a dirty floor is an immediate detractor. Over time, your grout — the cement that keeps your tile together – will pick up dirt, mildew, and grime. When this happens, it can quickly turn your floor, shower, or backsplash into a yucky mess. If left unattended, mold can develop in your grout, releasing spores throughout your home that can negatively impact your health. Fortunately, you’ve come to the right place because here’s what you need to know about tile & grout cleaning.
Let’s get started!
Use What You’ve Got at Home
Chances are, you probably already have the tools needed to clean tile and grout at home. To DIY it, this is what you’ll need:
- Bucket
- Water
- Powdered bleach, baking soda, or vinegar
- Old toothbrush
- Nylon brush
- Spray bottle
To clean your tile, fill your bucket up with water and mix it with the powdered bleach. The amount will vary depending on the brand you’re using. However, in most cases, you’ll want to add ¾ cup of bleach for every 1 gallon of water. If you do not have bleach on hand, don’t worry. You can substitute with baking soda or vinegar.
If you’re using baking soda, you’ll want to add one tablespoon for every 1½ cup of water. Once this is mixed, add in a ¼ cup of vinegar. Once your mixture fizzes down, it’s ready to use.
When your mix is ready, you can either apply it directly to your tile floor or put the mixture in a spray bottle to soak the affected area. It’s recommended that you leave the solution on for at least 30 minutes. For serious stains, you should let it sit for a few hours.
After the solution soaks in, take your nylon brush or toothbrush to start cleaning out the dirt. Just remember to clean up any dirty water residue as you go, as this can create more buildup. Once the dirt and grime are up, rinse the tile with fresh water and use a grout sealant to prevent further damage.
Because of how much dirt and mildew can build up on your tile, you should wipe down your grout every day. But let’s be honest — how feasible is that? Cleaning your tile and grout is time-consuming and labor-intensive and oftentimes doesn’t get you the clean tile you deserve, despite how much effort you put into it. That’s where the professionals come in.
Call in the Professionals
Whether you just don’t have the time to do it or feel better using a professional tile and grout cleaning service, California Steam Clean can help. Our team uses state-of-the-art equipment that cleans tile beneath the surface in a fraction of the time it would take you to do it yourself. When you’re ready to get started, California Steam Clean is just a call away: (707) 755-7190.