Regular hand mopping just doesn’t reach the stubborn dirt that lies deep in the pores of your grout lines, and mopping can cause a build-up of soapy residue but our very high-pressure cleaning process gets to the bottom of the pores and extracts dirt and residue renewing the look of the room. DFW Steam Cleaning is a tile and grout expert. Our experienced techs can restore your tile and grout on your ceramic and porcelain floors. To see how dirty your grout lines are just look up next to the baseboards and look at the color - then as you move toward the center of the floor, if there is a big difference in color, then your grout lines have some soil in them and it's probably time to get it cleaned.
Keeping your ceramic, porcelain tile & grout free of dust and dry, sandy soil will minimize scratches, wear patterns, and grout soiling that can develop from everyday use and traffic and help maintain your floors between professional cleanings. Sweep, dust, or vacuum surfaces regularly to remove loose soil and dust.
DFW Steam Cleaning recommends cleaning your tile & grout using warm water and a clean nonabrasive cloth sponge or mop. When we come to your home, we use a neutral cleaner that is specially formulated for ceramic, porcelain tile & grout to help remove soils that sweeping, dusting, vacuuming, or damp mopping leave behind.
Do not use ordinary household cleaners, as you may degrade the sealer that was applied to the grout to protect against penetrating stains. This includes not using acidic or alkaline cleaners, bleach, abrasives, or ammonia cleaners. In addition, bleach destabilizes grout and can cause yellowing and premature cracking.
Use a pH-balanced (neutral) cleaner to keep surfaces clean from everyday soils and stains. Stone cleaning products with built-in stone protectors are also available, which not only clean but also reinforce sealer on grout.
Vacuum or dust frequently using a clean non-treated dry dust mop. Sand, dirt, and grit may scratch your tile or build-up on your grout joint leading to discoloration. Mats or area rugs inside and outside an entrance will help minimize the potential damage from these particles.
Damp-mop your tile floor with a diluted solution of neutral cleaner. Try to stay off the floor until it is completely dry, as wet tile floors may be slippery.
For daily maintenance cleaning, use a neutral, pH-balanced cleaner to clean everyday soils and stains. In the bath, or other wet areas, using a squeegee on the tiles after each use can help minimize this build-up.
Grout Etching
Ceramic and porcelain tile is usually impervious or highly resistant to staining. However, grout is a different story. Substances that are highly acidic, such as orange juice, coffee, vinegar, wine, tomato-based products, mustard, and many soft drinks will most likely leave an “etch,” a chemical reaction that may leave a dull area or mark. Sort of like a "cloudy" white area where the acidic spill took place. Properly sealing the grout will give you time to wipe up a spill to avoid staining, but it cannot prevent etching. In addition, ordinary household cleaners with colored dyes or those containing bleach, ammonia, or abrasives are not recommended for ceramic, porcelain tile & grout. They may damage the surface and likely degrade the sealer that is applied to the grout, which provides stain protection and keeps stains from penetrating beneath the surface of the grout.
Scrape up food with a plastic spoon or spatula. Blot with a dry cloth. Spray the area with a neutral cleaner and wipe off excess with a clean cloth.
Liquid Spills on Ceramic TileBlot up the excess with a clean, dry cloth. Then clean the area with a pH-balanced (neutral) cleaner and wipe off excess with a clean cloth.
Mud Stains on Ceramic TileLet the mud stains dry completely. Remove dried mud with a soft plastic nylon brush. Spray the affected area with a neutral cleaner and wipe off excess with a clean cloth.
If it's a solid pet stain, let it dry and scoop it up with a plastic spoon or spatula. Spray the area with a pH-balanced (neutral) cleaner and wipe off the excess with a clean cloth.
If it's a urine stain, you will want to blot it up immediately as urine can cause grout discoloration if left to dwell for too long. Blot it up with a rag and spray the affected area with a pH-balanced (neutral) cleaner and then wipe off the excess with a clean towel.