5 Reasons You Should Hire a Professional to Clean Tile and Grout

Anyone who has spent time on their hands and knees scrubbing dirty tiling knows the difficulty of the job and the amount of time it takes to get it clean. Tile and grout require regular maintenance, though knowing what cleaning products and techniques work best for the upkeep of different types of tiled surfaces is imperative. Too often, homeowners try to clean tile and grout on their own, with results that are less than satisfactory. A competent and professional cleaning service will take the headache out of cleaning tile and grout, making sure the job is done right.

BEST TOOLS & PRODUCTS FOR TILE & GROUT

• BEST TILE & GROUT TOOL: Electric Spin Scrubber, Cordless Cleaning Brush, Shower Cleaning Brush
• RUNNER-UP: Small Scrub Brush, Mini Grout Brush Micro Edge Corner Cleaning Brush for Bottle, Tile Lines
• BEST PRODUCT: Black Diamond Ultimate Grout Cleaner
• RUNNER-UP PRODUCT: Clean-eez Grout-eez Super Heavy-Duty Grout Cleaner – Powerful Tile and Floor Stain Remover

Here are just five of the many reasons why you should hire professionals to clean tile and grout: 

1. Save Time & Money

Anyone who’s ever attempted to clean tile and grout knows the disappointment that comes after hours of scrubbing seems to only make the flooring look marginally better. YouTube videos on how to clean tile and grout yourself seem to magically show them clean minutes later, though they fail to reveal the hours of arduous work it takes to make it that way. It also saves on the expense of buying expensive specialty cleaning products that turn out not to be as effective as claimed. Sometimes making a silly mistake – like using an abrasive cleaner or steel wool – can even ruin the tiles, resulting in an even greater expense when they then require replacing. Experts who specialize in cleaning tiling and grout know the techniques and tools necessary to remove dirt and other grime to make them look great, all without damaging the surfaces.

2. Extend the Life of the Tiles 

Not cleaning tiles can make them weaker. Over time, tiles start to discolor, fade and even develop hairline cracks. But it’s not enough just to clean tile and grout with regular soap and water. Professional cleaning and sealing help prolong the life of tile surfaces. Depending on the type of tiling, the methods and products used to keep them clean vary, so the material from which they’re made also needs to be considered. The sealant professional cleaning companies apply will be specifically designed to work with certain types of tiles, and should usually be done on an annual basis to ensure they last a long time. 

3. Health Benefits

Because grout is very porous, it attracts microorganisms like bacteria or mold, especially in areas like bathrooms or kitchens where steam, along with water and other liquids, makes an ideal environment for microbial growth. When it comes to mold, mildew or other fungal growth, those with respiratory issues or allergies suffer greatly from unclean tile and grout, not to mention the insidious odors that result from ignoring the dirt and grime on tile surfaces for too long. The gunk that builds up on tiling over time can additionally cause illness, acting as a sort of petri dish in a science experiment. This gunk isn’t easy to remove, either, and hours spent scrubbing can easily lead to a sore back and neck. Professional cleaning services can provide the deep cleaning necessary to not only make tiles and grout spotless but also save on chiropractic appointments. 

4. Protects Tiles and Makes Them Look Like New

For those who take pride in their home’s cleanliness, it’s important to keep tiling looking immaculately clean. Tile and grout show wear and tear when overlooked for too long, and professional cleaning will make tiling look as good as new. Trained cleaners use professional-grade products to take out stains and decolor tiling, restoring it to its original condition. Additionally, a professional cleaning involves applying a sealant to the grout, which also protects the tiles themselves from wear and tear. This not only strengthens the barrier between the tile and grout, making it last longer but additionally keeps allergens, bacteria, mold and other microbes from establishing themselves within the grout. When the tile is neglected it can be much harder or even impossible to return to its original appearance.

5. Know the Best Cleaning Methods and Products for Specific Types of Tiling

Those who clean tiles and grout professionally understand the techniques and products used to avoid damaging the tilework, which often depends on the type of tiling. While porcelain tiles can handle ample amounts of water when cleaned, ceramic tiles will absorb more water due to their more porous surface, so they need to be cleaned with minimal amounts of water, or force dried with fans and vacuums. Meanwhile, natural stone tiles – including granite and marble – are very sensitive to chemicals, so should be cleaned with mild or natural cleaning solutions. Additionally, bleach can easily discolor tiles, especially when concentrated, so hiring a professional to get the right mix of cleaning products is especially important.

Hiring the Right Professional to Clean Tile and Grout 

While hiring professionals to clean tile and grout will save a homeowner time, it’s also important to hire a company with the expertise to do the job right. Many companies fail to agitate the surfaces well enough to draw the dirt out and truly get it deeply clean. If the grout is to be color-sealed and it’s not clean enough, it won’t adhere properly and will wear off prematurely. For kitchen tiles, sometimes it’s a matter of not spending enough time degreasing tile and grout to lift the oils, grease and other contaminants from the porous areas. In other cases, a company uses harsh cleaning agents that can actually weaken the grout if not neutralized. 

At Chet’s Cleaning, we take the time and make the effort to clean tile and grout properly. We are satisfied only when the job’s done right, doing a deep clean without damaging the tilework. We ensure that all the dirt and grime are lifted out while using cleaning products that are strong enough to clean surfaces but gentle enough not to damage them. We can strip worn varnish, wax, shellac and other finishes from older slate or stone flooring, saving the floor to prevent having to replace it. We also conduct in-home inspections and even have capabilities for minor grout and caulk repairs. Even when the grout is so stained it can’t be restored properly even with the deepest cleaning, we can color seal it to make it look like new. Contact us today for a free consultation!