The Ins and Outs of Tile Cleaning
Professional Tile and Grout Cleaning in Tampa FL
Tiles are one of the most popular choices for flooring material in the country. Ceramic tile make up an eighth of all American floor covering sales, raking in an impressive $18.76 billion in 2012 alone. One recent survey has shown that 90% of homeowners prefer tile or hardwood floors in their kitchens. Hardwood and tile floors can made your house look dazzling and can even increase the value of your property !
There are other advantages to having tile floors, too. One of them is the lifespan of a tile. Regular tile and grout cleaning and maintenance can make a tile floor last decades – or even centuries! If done right, tile and grout cleaning can ensure the practically lifelong span of your tile floors. Tiles are made from strong, durable, and environmentally-friendly materials that are known to last.
This trend is certainly true for floors with large tiles. Large tiles (that is, 12″ x 12″, 16″ x16″, 24″ x 24″, etc.) are even easier to clean and maintain because there are fewer grout joints between tiles. The fewer joints, the cleaner the look and the easier grout and tile cleaning is.
Most homeowners discover that the best way to have clean looking tile floors is actually to have clean grout – grout is what ends up absorbing stains. Rub a mixture of water and baking soda onto your stained grout, then let it sit for about eight hours – then scrub it off with a non-metal brush. A sealer should then be applied to prevent future staining.
In terms of what tile cleaning products you should use when cleaning your actual tiles, it’s recommended that you avoid harsh chemicals. A simple mixture of one-third white vinegar and two-thirds water does just fine for most cleaning jobs (although more severe messes require professional services). In addition, the topical sealants that protect grouts are easy to apply. However, they must be applied every one to two years in order for it to be most effective. Moreover, a 100% silicone caulk material is one of the best topical sealants for grouts around when it comes to protecting against water.
So whether you have a small kitchen or a massive living room, know that choosing tile as your floor material is one of the best decisions as a homeowner you can make. For more information, feel free to leave a comment or question at the bottom.