Floor Care / Cleaning Services: Tile & Grout Cleaning

Generic household cleaners such as Mr. Clean, Lysol, or powder-based cleaners can also work on tile grout. Use as directed above for vinegar or baking soda, and make sure to rinse the grout well after cleaning. Alternatively, if you own or have access to a steam cleaner, try using it on your grout work. The pressure of the steam cleaner can loosen debris and stains that cleaners can't dissolve.

If your grout hasn't come completely clean, the next step is to try a commercial tile and grout cleaner. These are available wherever home cleaning products are sold. Try to find a cleanser that is pH balanced so that the chemicals in the product won't erode the grout with continued use. To get the best result from a commercial cleaner, spray it on and let it sit for a few minutes before scrubbing. Follow the directions on the label of the product to clean effectively.

For heavy duty stains, use even stronger products such as oxygen bleach powder, hydrogen peroxide, or chlorine bleach. These products should be well diluted before use. You can also find heavy duty cleaners at hardware stores or janitorial supply outlets. If you go this route, however, you will need to read labels carefully and follow directions to the letter.

General Tips for Grout Cleaning

Clean the grout first with water and allow to dry. This will remove any loose surface debris.

Never use bleach on colored grout, as it will discolor the grout.

Use a stiff brush for scrubbing. Old toothbrushes will be too soft. Also avoid using metal bristles, as they will wear away the grout.

If you're using commercial cleaners, bleach, or other chemicals, make sure the room you're working in is well ventilated.

Use gloves and protective eye wear when working with any chemical-based cleaners.

Test your grout cleaner on a small, inconspicuous area first to make sure that it won't erode or damage your tile grout work. This is especially necessary if your tile grout is old or damaged.

Never mix cleaners together! Chemical reactions can cause noxious fumes or burns if the mixture touches the skin.

When your tile grout is completely clean, keep it looking fresh and new by applying a coat or two of grout sealer. There are various types of grout sealers available for different uses, such as floors or bathroom tile. Make sure you purchase the correct type for the grout you'll be applying it to. Reapply the grout sealer at least once a year, or more often if necessary.

Hard Surface Tile and Grout Cleaning Video

New or old, the appearance of your stone will be improved by polishing, as this step removes fine scratches, etches and minor stains. We use the same methods as the original factory and fabrication shops resulting in a high gloss finish or semi-gloss finish. Some stones can become so highly polished that you can read the wattage on a light bulb in the reflection on the stone.

This process begins with wet sanding the stone with diamond abrasives to remove scratches and smooth out uneven tiles and signs of wear. Then we polish the stone to a high gloss factory finish or hone the stone to a uniform satin finish.