There is nothing quite as disappointing as an incredibly hard and tiring clean, where at the end of the day the floors have been given a brilliant temporary ‘new’ look – with super shiny hard floor surfaces, but the grout lines return to their grimy, dull dark appearance within hours. Well, do not worry; it is not your fault. Traditional mopping is not effective when it comes to grout.
As grout is a highly porous mixture of sand and cement, it functions much like a sponge. All the dirty water that you spread around the floor with your mop soaks into the grout lines, bringing with it all the dirt and bacteria from the cleaning solution. As time goes on, this will paint the grout lines with the dirt and cause them to become increasingly discoloured.
The Adelaide environment, while beautiful, can present many challenges when it comes to maintenance of your home. The abrasive sand from our beautiful beaches, fine dust from the long dry summers as well as the mud from wet boots in winter all take their toll on your floor. Unfortunately, regular household cleaning products are not up to the task of removing the ingrained dirt from the grout lines of your tiles.
The good news is that there is a solution to the above-mentioned plight of discoloured grout lines. Professional tile and grout cleaning is by far the best and only effective method of deeply cleaning grout lines and bringing them back to their original appearance. Gifted Hands is Adelaide’s local cleaning company that has been able to offer a wide range of domestic, commercial and specialty cleaning services, including tile and grout cleaning to households and businesses in and around Adelaide for many years. We know first hand the incredible results that can be achieved by thoroughly and permanently cleaning the grout lines of any tile floor.
In this comprehensive guide, Gifted Hands Cleaning will explain the science behind grout getting dirty, discuss how the unique Adelaide climate causes your floors to get dirty and will present 11 amazing benefits of professional tile and grout cleaning. Whether you need to give your house a face lift prior to sale or you just want to restore your home to new, it is time to put down the mop and give us a call.
2. The Hidden Science of Dirty Grout
Before approaching the problem of dirty grout it is worth understanding the flooring’s simple structure. Stained and damaged grout lines seem to need more scrubbing but the actual reason for these issues stems from science, not a lack of cleaning.
Why Your Mop is Making Things Worse
Mopping can make matters worse and create problems with dirt and water in grout lines, particularly if the grout cleaner is not able to penetrate the grout to get at the dirt and old grout cleaner. For traditional floor grout, capillary action is at work. The pores in the grout lines of floors act similar to a sponge. The pores and fine channels in the grout allow water and soil to penetrate deep into the grout.
There is also the way in which your mop could be worsening the problem. Surface dirt from tiles makes the cleaning water turn grey, and when this is then swept through the grout lines with your mop, capillary action pulls the water deep into the grout, taking the dirt with it. You will be left with the perception that you have ‘cleaned’ the grout lines, but what you will actually have done is moved the dirt into the pores of the grout and left behind residue from your cleaner to collect dust, hair and soil.
The vast majority of ‘floor cleaners’ are simply potent detergents which stick to surfaces leaving behind an invisible film of residues. On abrasive surfaces such as floors these can be ok to use as they tend to wear off as new layers of finish are worn down. But in highly porous grout lines, these residues can set and NEVER come off. Providing a permanent trap for EVERY particle of dust, hair, dander and dirt which is subsequently tracked into the area, thereby significantly compromising the indoor air quality.
The Health Hazards Hiding in Your Floorboards
Porous grout lines hold within them organic matter, moisture and warmth — in areas such as Adelaide’s many bathrooms, kitchens and laundries where moisture is evident, creating an ideal breeding ground for a host of bacteria, fungi and mold. As the dirt builds up, within the lines of the grout, it provides an ideal environment for life to develop — leading to nasty growths of mold and mildew.
Crevices in grout provide an ideal environment for fungi and bacteria to grow. Large amounts of fungal spores are produced by these organisms. The fungal spores are dispersed into the surrounding air and within a short time degrade the indoor air quality. For people suffering from Asthma, Allergies or other Respiratory Sensitivities the fungi growing in the grout can be a persistent problem triggering as yet unseen health effects.
Professional grout cleaners are able to remove bio matter from grout lines. They use hot water extraction to remove all fungus, bacteria and mold spores that have made their home in your floorboards. This means that, unlike cleaning your floors in the regular way, they are able to create a healthier environment for you and your family.
3. How Adelaide’s Unique Climate Affects Your Tiles
This Mediterranean landscape with its dry desert interior provides the most amazing contrast of sand and landscape and from beautiful mountains to beautiful coastlines. Adelaide’s lush Mediterranean climate creates a dramatic environment that many wouldn’t wish to change – however, the negative effects brought on by Adelaide’s sandy floor covering free lifestyle present harsh negative impacts that will be felt by hard flooring in Adelaide’s homes, unless properly addressed with an environment friendly Adelaide Hard Floor Cleaning program designed specifically by an Adelaide Tile and Grout Cleaning Professional, in an endeavor to remove negative impacts of harsh free dirt, on Adelaide’s expensive and hard floors, through expert specialized Tile Cleaning.
Dust, Sand, and the SA Environment
South Australia can be an extremely dry state, particularly during the long summer months and as a result the air is usually filled with fine dust particles. This is particularly evident on those extremely hot summer days when the Northerly is blowing. These fine dust particles are brought in from the interior of South Australia and even follow people back into their homes. In addition to the dusty air, Adelaide is also a coastal city and as such, there is always a chance of sand entering homes, particularly those near beaches such as Glenelg, Brighton and Henley Beach.
Our sands and dust are notorious for destroying your grout and hard floor coverings – particularly your ceramic, natural stone or porcelain tiles. We recommend applying a specially designed tile treatment on an annual basis to all your hard floor coverings. Once the tiles have been treated they create a virtually non-scratchable surface that all abrasive materials including our sandy & dusty home environments cannot possibly scratch – meaning your tiles shall look fantastic & remain fantastic for long periods.
As a further benefit your grout lines will not ‘Mud-up’ in the exact same way as prior to the treatments having been applied meaning that the periodic cleaning of your grout will become infinitely easier than previously. And even with the harder to clean ‘Porous’ type of tile the effect of abrasion is only slightly worse – with the hardened glaze surface of the tile creating a satisfactory, ‘water-repellent’ effect that simply will not be affected in the same way as that which would be the case when the original glaze is progressively ‘worn away’ by such mediums as abrasive particles of sand or grit in normal use. In a word your tiles shall ‘clean more simply’ for far longer, & all shall remain looking at their very absolute best – throughout!
Hard Water Challenges in South Australia
But it’s not just the dust and sand that causes problems for Adelaide homeowners with hard floors. The water used for cleaning is also a major issue, hard water contains high levels of dissolved minerals in the water. This type of water is prevalent in South Australia with tap water ranking as one of the world’s hardest containing very high levels of calcium and magnesium. Unfortunately these minerals are not removed in conventional water treatment works, so they are carried in the treated water to houses.
The same heavy minerals that are dissolved in the water are also present in solution in that water. As the water containing these dissolved minerals in solution evaporates it leaves behind the dissolved minerals in the form of a solid residue. In the bathroom this form of the dissolved minerals shows up as scaling on surfaces as well as in grout lines.
It provides a rough surface area for soap scum and mold to adhere to. On hard floor surfaces throughout the home the limescale in hard water can actually make dirt and grime a bigger problem than it needs to be. The minerals in hard water can penetrate deep into the pores of tile and grout and when dulling the appearance of the tile, can also lock in stains. Most cleaning products found on supermarket shelves are unable to break down these mineral deposits and require the use of professional cleaning agents and techniques.
4. 11 Astonishing Benefits of Professional Tile and Grout Cleaning in Adelaide
1. Restores Floors to Brand New Condition
Most people don’t even notice the grime accumulating on their floors on a day to day basis. However, once you move a rug or pull out some heavy furniture it becomes apparent just how dirty your tile floors have become over time. At Gifted Hands Cleaning we have the expertise and tools to return your tile floors to their former glory. We have found that most floors can be returned to their original state with a deep cleaning that removes years of grime, dirt and even sticky residue left behind from all of the detergents that have been used to try and clean the floors. After a deep cleaning your tile floors will be returned to their original color and will look as good as new.
2. Extends the Lifespan of Your Tiles
Dirt and grime from within your grout lines act as an abrasive that wears down your floor surface. Many people aren’t aware that a large portion of the dirt found within grout lines are of sand, dust, and small silicate particles which have been tracked in from the outside. With each step of foot taken on a floor surface these particles are ground into the floor surface.
If these abrasive particles are allowed to build up within your grout lines over time, they can cause serious damage to your tiles and grout, leading to scratching and dulling of the floor surface, as well as cracking in the grout lines. It is however possible to prevent all of this damage by undertaking regular deep cleans of your grout lines, removing all of the abrasive particles that have built up over time. By removing these particles you are essentially putting a stop to the wear and tear of your floors allowing you to extend the life of your floor for many years to come.
3. Eradicates Stubborn Mould and Mildew
Many homes and businesses throughout Adelaide experience unsightly grout lines in their bathrooms, laundry rooms and kitchens. Surface bleaching of mold and mildew to temporarily remove unsightly black stains from the surface of grout lines does not penetrate grout lines to kill the cause of the problem.. Gifted Hands use high pressure and hot water to clean and extract dirt from grout lines to kill mold and prevent future damage to grout and surrounding surfaces.
4. Improves Indoor Air Quality
Tiles are massive filters which are positioned flat on the floor and they act as a collection point for all sorts of debris. These include; human hair, dust mites, dander from pets, pollen from trees, etc. All of these sorts of things are carried into the home on peoples feet and they become trapped within the pores of the grout. Once these sorts of things have become trapped within the pores of the grout they present problems to people who suffer from allergies and asthma.
The debris that becomes trapped within the grout of tiles becomes re-suspended into the air and becomes a problem to people who are suffering from a range of respiratory problems. A deep clean of the grout will remove all of the sorts of debris that have become trapped within the grout of tiles and this will improve the quality of the indoor air and make your home a healthier place for you and your family.
5. Enhances the Value of Your Property
When you are looking to sell a property the look of the floors is something that can immediately grab the attention of potential buyers. A clean, shiny grout line can make your property look well looked after and something that will increase the value of your home. Dirty, black grout lines on the other hand can give the impression that a property has not been well maintained and could decrease the value of your home. A tile floor restoration is a great investment for homeowners looking to sell their property as it can increase the value of your home.
6. Saves You Hours of Back-Breaking Labor
Cleaning grout can be hard work, which is why Gifted Hands Cleaning provides the service for you. Let us save you the hours of time, back breaking work and frustration, of trying to clean grout yourself. We bring all the required tools and materials to your home and complete the work for you. We then leave you to enjoy your time with family and friends, knowing that your floors have been cleaned to the highest standards and will last for years to come.
7. Uses Safe, Customised Cleaning Solutions
There are many store-bought products used to try and clean grout containing harsh chemicals, such as bleach and acids, which are not always safe to use on tiles and grout. Even though some of these products can temporarily remove grime and dirt from the grout, they can actually cause long-term damage to the grout, often causing it to become brittle and harder for future cleaning products to penetrate.
Our range of professional grade cleaners are designed to be safe to use on all different types of tile and grout, and will deep clean all of the grime and dirt from the grout without any risk of damage. Our skilled and professional technicians are also able to use these cleaning solutions in the correct manner to ensure the very best results, and to ensure that the grout is left in the best possible condition.
8. Protects Your Floor’s Warranty
Many homeowners do not realize that many manufacturers of tiles and floors have a number of strict maintenance requirements outlined in the fine print of the warranty for their products. A common condition of a warranty is for a floor to be professionally cleaned and maintained on a regular basis to keep the warranty valid. This would mean that if any form of defect occurs in your floor, the manufacturer would not honor any claims under the warranty if they are able to prove that you failed to comply with the terms and conditions of the warranty during the period in which the defect occurred.
By engaging in regular cleaning of your grout and tile by a professional you can be assured that you are doing everything in your power to protect your initial investment in your flooring and that you will be able to receive repair or replacement for any defects that may occur should they arise.
9. Access to Industrial-Grade Equipment
A huge difference between Gifted Hands Cleaning providing a tile and grout restoration as opposed to DIY attempts at cleaning is the amount of “fire power” that has been brought to the job. No amount of scrubbing with a tooth brush and subsequent rinsing with water is going to be anywhere near as effective as utilizing an industrial grade tile and grout cleaning machine.
These machines provide the precise amount of super heated water at the precise amount of pressure required to release years of built up grime from within the pores of the grout and tile. And then as the grime is being loosened from within the pores, the machine vacuums up the slurry of grime and dirty water in order to leave your tile and grout sparkling like new and looking as good as the day they were first installed.
10. Prevents Costly Water Damage
Grout lines between tiles serve more than one purpose. For one, they hold the tiles together to form a complete flooring surface. Grout is primarily used to seal the spaces between tiles to form a waterproof surface to prevent moisture from penetrating down to the subfloor. The grout lines can also become heavily soiled and appear to be dirty.
Dirt in the grout lines can hide hairline cracks and deterioration of the grout which can start to crumble. During our tile and grout cleaning service we clean the grout lines to assess the grout for any deterioration. Early detection of any problems with the grout can allow for immediate repair to prevent water from entering between the tiles which can cause the tiles to bulge, rot and potentially cause extensive damage to the structure of your home.
11. Provides Long-Lasting Protection via Professional Sealing
Finally there is the protection afforded by us applying professional grade floor sealers to your tiles and grout lines. Once your floors have been deep cleaned the pores of the grout lines will have been opened allowing dirt to immediately penetrate into the grout lines and stain. By applying a quality penetrating sealer to your floors the pores in the grout lines will be filled thus preventing any future stains from penetrating into the grout lines and becoming difficult to remove.
Our professional grade floor sealers are designed to provide long lasting protection to your floors, and will make future cleaning of your floors a breeze. They will also provide a durable and long lasting barrier of protection to your floors, and will keep your floors looking their best for years to come.
5. Different Tiles Require Different Care: Our Adelaide Expertise
The biggest misconception in the cleaning industry is that all of the ‘hard floors’ can be cleaned the same way. Unfortunately for homeowners and businesses everywhere, there is nothing more expensive than attempting to clean a floor incorrectly. At Gifted Hands Cleaning in Adelaide our vast knowledge of material science forms the backbone of our Adelaide floor cleaning expertise. We are more than capable of working out what type of floor you have before we even apply any water to it, allowing us to implement the correct cleaning process in order to provide the best possible results and to prevent any possible damage.
Ceramic and Porcelain Tiles
Ceramic and Porcelain Tiles are probably the most common of flooring choices found in modern homes today in Adelaide. While they are very durable and are available in all forms of finishes, the non-porous nature of these tiles can sometimes make cleaning very difficult. Many Ceramic and Porcelain Tiles are made with glazed surfaces, and it is this glaze that is normally prone to scratches and wear.
Aggressively scrubbing these surfaces with harsh, abrasive supermarket cleaning powders can all too easily scratch the finish of the tile, allowing dirt to penetrate into the scratches, rendering the area difficult to clean. While the tiles themselves are normally non-problematic, the surrounding grout matrix can be a real cleaning challenge in itself. Our process of cleaning Deep Cleaned Hard Floors does not require the use of harsh friction to clean grout lines, using heat and emulsifiers to remove dirt from grout without scratching glazed surfaces of tiles.
Natural Stone: Travertine, Marble, and Limestone
Natural stone floors whether it be travertine, marble or limestone add a touch of luxury and elegance to any home and can last for generations. Unlike hard floor coverings made from man made products, natural stone is made from the earth and therefore requires great care when cleaning. Natural stone such as travertine, marble, limestone, sandstone and bluestone are made up mainly of calcium carbonate, which is a very alkaline substance.
This substance makes natural stone extremely sensitive to all forms of acid, which includes Domestic Cleaning Products. When any type of acid comes into contact with the calcium carbonate in natural stone it can cause serious chemical damage in the form of etching. Using common household products such as white vinegar or lemon juice to clean natural stone, as well as many common Domestic Cleaning Products found on the shelves of supermarkets and hardware stores, can permanently damage the surface of your stone.
Our technicians at Gifted Hands Cleaning have been trained in the specific care of natural stone, and only use the highest quality of pH neutral cleaning solutions that are designed specifically for the specific type of natural stone that you have. These types of cleaning solutions are safe for the stone and will penetrate deeply to extract any deep seated dirt from the pores of the stone, whilst protecting it from future staining. We also stock a wide range of top quality penetrating sealers that will not only protect your natural stone from future staining, but will also enhance the deep, rich colors of the stone.
Terracotta and Slate
Terracotta and Slate floors are perfect for that old world or natural look in heritage homes as well as being a fantastic option for Alfresco Areas. Due to the porosity of these types of floors, they are prone to flaking or even spalling in extreme cases if not properly maintained. Over time, many of these floors have layers of cheap topical sealers that have peeled, turned yellow or worst of all, trapped dirt in the old sealer.
Gifted Hands Cleaning can deep clean these floors to remove all old degraded sealers without any damage to the underlying clay or stone. Once the floors have been deep cleaned, we are then able to apply a premium, breathable penetrating sealer that will protect the floor from future staining, whilst also bringing out the deep, rich natural colors of the stone.
6. The Gifted Hands Cleaning Restoration Process: Step-by-Step
Step 1: Comprehensive Floor Inspection
Every floor needs to be cleaned with a structured process to reach the best results. At the beginning of every job Gifted Hands Cleaning employees start with a detailed pre-treatment inspection to assess what floor type you have and how strong the adhesion of the grout is. Also all pre-existing damages like loose tiles or parts of the cement that are missing will be detected and noted during this initial inspection. This will allow Gifted Hands to set up the best plan of action for a successful job.
Step 2: Pre-Treatment with Eco-Friendly Solutions
Prior to the cleaning of your floor using a range of special Hospital Grade Eco-Friendly Solutions these solutions can be pre-treated into the dirt and grime allowing for easy removal from the floor in the cleaning process.. As the dwell time of the solution takes effect the solutions will continue to emulsify the grease, penetrate the tile, strip soap scum and a multitude of sticky floor residue that typically may leave your floor looking dirty following cleaning.
Step 3: Deep Agitation
We let the pre-treatment sit for a short period of time, then begin to agitate the floor to make sure that the cleaner penetrates into the pores of the grout. We use high quality floor restoration equipment that has the correct type of brushes for your tile and grout. This is an extremely important part of our Adelaide floor cleaning process as we need to make sure that we are loosening all of the stubborn greases, dirt and grime that have been broken down by the cleaner and worked into the pores and cracks of the grout.
Step 4: High-Pressure Hot Water Extraction
Using hot water at the precise pressure needed to blast any remaining dirt from the grout lines. The hot water is then forced into the grout lines, breaking up any last pieces of soil. That dirty water slurry is then immediately extracted from the floor with our HEPA-filtered vacuum extraction system. The tile and grout are left clean with no residue.. The entire process leaves your floors looking as good as new, with no sign of the years of dirt and grime that once existed.
Step 5: Rapid Drying
In many cases, our equipment is able to extract such a high percentage of moisture from your floor during the cleaning process that in a very short amount of time, your floors will be completely dry again and you can immediately walk on them. We have specialized in-store equipment that we bring to your property during cleaning, which we use to speed up the evaporation process by blowing hot air over the area to help the floor dry as quickly as possible. For the majority of our clients, the floors will typically be completely dry within a few hours of cleaning and will look like new.
Step 6: Professional Grout Sealing (Highly Recommended)
As mentioned previously, when grout is first cleaned, its pores are opened. In this state the grout is highly absorbent and in risk of rapid deterioration if not protected. We offer a number of premium penetrating grout sealers that penetrate the pores of the grout, filling them and preventing any future spills, stains or dirt from entering the grout for a long time. Because these products are invisible to the eye, you will never know it’s been applied, but you will certainly feel confident in the knowledge that your newly cleaned and protected tile and grout will remain looking amazing for many years to come.
7. The Crucial Final Step: Grout Sealing Explained
Just like you wouldn’t wash a luxury car and forget to wax it, Gifted Hands Cleaning provides professional tile sealing in Adelaide as the final step of our thorough tile and grout cleaning process. Our team of professionals work hard to clear your grout lines and bring back the natural color of your grout. However, grout is a porous product and once it has been cleaned and opened up it is highly susceptible to leakage of liquids and dirt if not protected. We use high quality penetrating grout sealers that fill the pores of the grout from the inside out providing ultimate protection to your grout lines.
What is Grout Sealing?
Grout sealing is the last part of the tile and grout cleaning process and is very important. It is the application of protective coating on the grout lines. At Gifted Hands Cleaning we are using high quality penetrating sealers, not expensive but low quality topical sealers that will peel and discolour in time. Topical sealers also can trap the moisture in the grout lines, whereas penetrating sealers allow the grout to breathe while filling the pores of the grout from inside the grout matrix, providing strong protection against water, oil and dirt.
Clear Sealing vs. Colour Sealing
We have two solutions for protecting your grout, that of Clear Sealing and that of Colour Sealing.
- Clear Sealing: This is our standard protection treatment and is fully invisible after application. Protect newly cleaned grout from day to day wear and tear and simply wipe away any spillages or stains.
- Colour Sealing (Grout Recolouring): The grout between your tiles has lost its colour and will not come clean back to the original color.Alternatively, you may have tired old grout lines that need to be given a face lift but you cannot afford to go and re tile. In both cases Grout Colour Sealing is the answer. Gifted Hands Cleaning uses only the highest quality of epoxy- based grout sealers that not only seal the grout lines, but also give them a permanent and hard wearing color. This makes Grout Colour Sealing the ultimate floor restoration. Gifted Hands is Adelaide’s premier Grout Colour Sealing company.
8. Commercial Tile and Grout Cleaning in Adelaide
For most people, entering a business is first greeted by the floors. If they are clean then immediately people can tell that there is great quality to the business and if the floors are dirty then the complete opposite can also be implied. This is especially important for restaurants, cafes, shops, and offices throughout Adelaide as well as companies based in commercial buildings. Pristine tile and grout is a must to maintain the cleanliness and good health of your clients and staff as well as protecting your business’s reputation.
In commercial areas of high foot traffic, such as restaurants, cafes, shops, and office spaces the challenges to flooring are very different to those of domestic areas. In commercial kitchens the cooking process can throw large amounts of airborne oils and grease that deposit on the floors. These greasy deposits build up into a black slimy substance in the grout lines of tiled floors, breeding ground for all sorts of bacteria that can cause serious health problems and also result in poor health scores in audits.
Before you know it, all the hard work of your staff and the excellent food and service that you are providing will be undermined by a potentially dangerous, dirty floor. In between clean shifts, foot traffic from customers can bring in soil that is then ground into the tile surfaces using the force of every step, quickly wearing down the glazed surface of the tiles. Liquids that are spilled on dirty floors can create the most hazardous of slips and falls, injuring staff and customers alike.
Here at Gifted Hands Cleaning we know the importance of keeping Commercial Properties clean and offer a thorough tile and grout cleaning service on a schedule to suit your business and operational hours. Our industrial cleaning equipment and methods are designed to remove hazardous grease from floors and leave the grout lines clean and slip resistant, meeting all WH&S requirements. Providing a 5 star clean, hygienic image for your Adelaide business and clients to admire as they enter your premises.
9. DIY Disasters: What NOT to Do to Your Floors
Unfortunately, when it comes to tile and grout cleaning, there are many DIY methods which can actually cause irreversible damage. Time and time again at Gifted Hands Cleaning we are called to complete a floor rescue due to mistakes caused by well-meaning homeowners. Here’s a list of the most common mistakes to avoid.
- The Vinegar and Baking Soda Method: Often touted as one of the greatest cleaning tricks to have been invented online, this method typically causes the greatest amount of harm. It starts with baking soda- gentle enough to be used as abrasives in a scrubber. It is mixed with vinegar, to form a paste or solution. And this is where the “magic” happens- the baking soda and the vinegar combine to form water and carbon dioxide gas. It makes for a mediocre scrubber and quite often a poor cleaner. But- when applied directly to the grout- the acid in the vinegar is able to dissolve the cement- the alkaline- causing it to “etch” into the surface, leaving behind a surface that feels chalky to the touch, is brittle and prone to breakage and is much more porous than un-treated grout. As the grout continues to be treated to the vinegar and baking soda solution the etching becomes more and more pronounced- the grout begins to develop unsightly staining and becomes even more prone to dirt holding.
The chemicals in bleach break down the polymers in the cement in the grout causing it to break down into a crumbly, porous sponge-like material. As this material breaks down, it loosens and will allow future stains to penetrate into it.
- Using Wire Brushes, Steel Wool or Heavy Duty Scouring Pads: When it comes to cleaning grout it is only human nature to want to scrub dirty areas with wire brushes, steel wool or heavy duty scouring pads, hoping that they remove the soiling from the grout. While these tools may remove dirt temporarily from grout lines they will always create scratches on the surface of ceramic, porcelain, natural stone tile & pavers. Those scratches can become embedded in the top glaze of tile and will become abrasive making it very difficult to keep these tile surfaces clean. In some extreme cases the scratches can be so severe that they actually ‘grab’ dirt & grime causing them to become embedded in the scratches providing a permanent home for these unwanted soiling materials.
10. Post-Cleaning Maintenance: Keeping Your Adelaide Home Sparkling
Our commitment at Gifted Hands Cleaning extends beyond expertly restoring your floor to leave it looking breathtaking. We want you to have beautiful floors long after we have left your premises. This can be easily achieved by reframing how you clean your tile and grout using products from the supermarkets found on the shelves of every supermarket. Here are our expert recommendations to maintain your beautifully cleaned Adelaide floors:
- Ditch the Sponge Mop: The average sponge mop is used just like a squeegee! Pushing the dirty water from your floor down into the recessed grout lines with every sweep only to pick it up again on the next sweep is counter productive. Our recommended method for cleaning is using a flat microfiber mop which picks up dirt and grime instead of spreading it around.
- PH Neutral Floor Cleaners: Using the correct floor cleaners is of utmost importance. By using pH neutral floor cleaners, you will be able to protect your newly sealed tile and the grout itself from potential damage. Using highly acidic or bleach-based cleaners can cause irreparable harm to both your newly restored floors and your sealants.
Deal with any spills immediately, as even with the proper application of a sealant for your grout, the strongest grout can still suffer from stains from high color pigments, ie. wine, coffee, or even pet accidents. These spills must be quickly mopped to stop from becoming permanent.
11. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How often do I need Tile & Grout cleaning for my Adelaide home? For average homes we suggest every 12 – 18 months for Deep cleaning for all Tile & Grout but for homes with high foot traffic, pets, even moist locations such as Bathrooms, Kitchens (Commercial & Residential) then every 6 – 12 months.
So, how much will tile and grout cleaning cost in Adelaide? When determining the cost of tile and grout cleaning the amount of square meters that need to be cleaned are taken into account. Also the kind of tile that needs to be cleaned and the state that the grout is in. At Gifted Hands Cleaning our prices are transparent and are quoted on a job by job basis. We do not have any additional charges on the day of the cleaning. We provide Free Quotes for all of our cleaning jobs. Call Gifted Hands Cleaning today for a Free Quote for your Adelaide tile and grout cleaning needs.
How long will my floors take to dry after being cleaned by Gifted Hands Cleaning? The vast majority of the moisture is extracted from the grout while cleaning and with the use of our high-velocity extraction equipment, your floors will be dry in a couple of hours and ready for use. Some floors may take up to 4 hours to dry but this will depend on several factors, including porosity of the grout. We will explain the various routes that we take, the types of floor coverings and also the different climates that we encounter, and provide you with some tips on how to speed up the drying process of your floors so that you can return to using them in the shortest possible time.
Are your cleaning products pet and child friendly? We absolutely love kids and pets and so consider the health of your family and their safety when we choose a cleaning product for a job. At Gifted Hands Cleaning we use only the premium eco-friendly cleaning solutions for all of our cleaning. Our tile and grout cleaning solutions are pH balanced to penetrate the pores of the tile and grout to break down the grease and dirt to give it a deep and long lasting clean.
12. Conclusion: Reclaim Your Weekends and Your Pristine Floors
At Gifted Hands Cleaning we understand that your home is your castle and that you shouldn’t have to spend hours every weekend cleaning your floors to keep them looking half decent. Unfortunately, mopping floors is not effective for removing grout stains and with Adelaide’s wet weather, the dirt, grime and bacteria in your floors is never going to go away. But by having your tile and grout professionally cleaned you can protect your significant investment and give yourself some well-deserved free time, not to mention remove hidden health risks and give your home a facelift.
Take the first step to a completely transformed floor and find out just how astonishing the Gifted Hands Cleaning difference is for yourself. Contact us today for a Free No Obligation Quote for your Adelaide tile and grout restoration, alternative solutions or general cleaning. Email us at info@giftedhandscleaning.com.au and book your appointment with us today. Alternatively, you can also book online by visiting our website giftedhandscleaning.com.au.