Showing posts with label Grout sealing. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Grout sealing. Show all posts

Thursday, March 21, 2013

Tiles and Grout Cleaning - Overview

There are many types of tiles available nowadays. The method of tile cleaning will depend more on the tile type. However there are couple of things to be followed to add the sheen and glow of the tiles.

• Do the regular floor cleaning
• Clean the spills as soon as they occur

It is very crucial to clean dirt and water too as soon as they are split to prevent the stains. Place a doormat which helps in reduction of mud or dirt entering through footsteps.
There are basically following tile floors where in one will use the tile and grout cleaning process, types of tiles are as follow -
• Ceramic
• Porcelain
• Stone

Porcelain Tile cleaning
Porcelain tiles maintenance is not difficult if the surface is cleaned regularly. The surface can be vacuum cleaned every day or just sweep it. The wet mopping is required once in a week. Use of mild floor cleaners will do for the mopping. One can make it at home by mixing vinegar and water.

Ceramic Tile Cleaning
The rule is followed here as well; remove the dirt as soon as possible. Vacuum clean the tiles every day or a simple broom can be used. Plain water or the special ceramic tile cleaners can be used for the wet mopping.

Stone Tile Cleaning
One need to be careful while cleaning the tiles made of stones as they are natural minerals. Never use harsh floor cleaners. Sweep or vacuum clean. After using any floor cleaner use a dry mop to soak any type of liquid residue.

Read more at http://goarticles.com/article/Tile-and-Grout-Cleaning-The-Best-Cleaning-Tips-for-the-Shiny-Surface/6090487/



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Of all the domestic house cleaning jobs we tend to put off as long as possible, tile and grout cleaning is probably the worst. Actually the tiles themselves are not really the problem - it's the tile & grout combination, and the grout in particular that is tricky to deal with. The only way to keep the tile & grout in a bathroom clean is to scour it frequently, or at least get after it before you notice that there is an accumulation of mould, or the grout has become discoloured. That is when it's time to call in a professional domestic house cleaning company, because they are the ones who have the right equipment, products and expertise necessary to contend with serious tile and grout cleaning.

In between visits from the domestic house cleaning experts, there are some temporary measures you can take to keep the worst of the dirt at bay. Natural substances such as baking soda are safe to use on bathroom tile & grout, and have the advantage of being non-toxic, which is not the case with many commercial tile cleaners. Unlike chemical cleaners that require the wearing of heavy gloves and the opening of windows while they are being used, a simple paste of baking soda and water scrubbed into the grout with a small brush, even an old toothbrush, can be remarkably effective. It works even better if you leave the baking solution mixture in place for about ten minutes before you start scrubbing. Once the worst of the dirt has gone, you can follow this up with a weak solution of bleach and water to combat any lingering mould and mildew, lighten the grout and make the tiles shiny. Baking powder mixed in a ratio of three to one with water is probably the least invasive home made cleaning product you can use on your tile & grout. There are stronger solutions but they should be used with caution, as they are not suitable for every tile and grout cleaning situation. Particular care has to be taken with coloured grout.

Thursday, January 3, 2013

Why Is Grout Sealing Important and How to Successfully Do It

Some people wonder why grout sealing is an essential step in any tile installation process, especially in New Jersey. The simple answer is that sealing the grout will help your tiles look clean for several years. Porcelain tiles and ceramic tiles should not be sealed because they are very dense but grout should definitely be sealed. This is because grout is very porous and these unsealed porous are going to attract grime, dirt and grease alongside other things. Apart from that, if the grout is not sealed and cleaned then sanitized, extremely harmful bacteria and even mold which is toxic can grow in these grout lines. Such bacteria can cause a lot of health risks to your pets and family members.

The best time to get your grout sealed is when the grout is still new. This is because when it is new, it didn’t have any chance to get dirty or to absorb any kind of dirt, grime or any other harmful things. On the other hand, if you are planning to get the grout sealed after a while, it means that it has already absorbed grim and dirt. This is why it should be deep cleaned carefully before sealing. This is done in order to guarantee that you do not seal in the dirt and the grime.

You will find different types of grout sealing tools and materials on the market. These sealers can be easily found at the local tile shops and stores in New Jersey. It is also advised not to buy any aerosol sealers because according to studies, these materials represent health hazards. There are 2 main kinds of sealers. These two types are water based sealers and solvent based sealers. The easiest type to apply is the solvent based sealers. It will easily absorb deeper in the grout and does not cause a lot of problems. On the other hand, some people prefer using water based sealers because they do not have any smell. As for performance, both kinds are of the same quality and they give high quality results.

The process of applying the sealer is pretty easy. You will need a brush applicator or a sealer roller. You will use these tools in order to apply the sealer liberally on the grout lines between the tiles. After applying it, you will have to leave it for almost five minutes and then start to clear the excess sealer off the tiles. You can clean that by using a paper towel or a clean dry rag. If you notice any kind of streaking as a result of the sealer, you will have to add some sealer and repeat the process again. You should also apply the sealing material on as many tiles as you can before you wipe out the excess and move to another section. You should then leave the sealer for twenty four hours to dry. When it dries, your tiles will be protected and all of the grout between your tiles will be sealed successfully.

Source : http://goarticles.com/article/Why-Is-Grout-Sealing-Important-and-How-to-Successfully-Do-It/7272327/