Tile flooring is an option that requires low maintenance. It doesn’t require shampooing or refinishing, making the cleaning process particularly easy. This might raise the question as to why the grout appears greasy in the middle of the tiles even after consistent cleaning. The problem does not lie with the tiles; it lies with the grout. And as soon as you understand that, the solution is much clearer than just the ordinary cleaning that can be done using household products.
At MGX Hardwood Care, we often get requests for services related to grout restoration, and this is due to many homeowners trying all the other options before turning to experts.
Why Grout Discolors Even With Regular Mopping
Grout has pores in it. Unlike the sealed tile surface, grout is really a cement type material containing innumerable pores. Whenever something comes into contact with grout, it gets absorbed by it. Water is used for mopping and watered down dirty mop water. So every time mopping with dirty water, we are pushing dirt deep into the grout lines instead of cleaning it up. That is why many people are shocked when they discover that by mop cleaning grout with the same dirty mop water used to clean floors one can actually worsen the appearance of grout. As a result of this way of mopping, grout that has been cleaned can appear to be dirty as it takes some time for soil to come up to the surface.
How to Clean Dirty Grout Lines the Right Way
If you’re asking yourself how to effectively clean dirty grout lines, the truth is that surface tools do not tackle the fundamental matter at hand. Although using a toothbrush and vinegar can get rid of some dirt on the surface, years of neglect requires more than scrubbing to bring back a nice clean look to the grout.
When professionals perform grout restoration work, they typically follow the series of steps outlined below:
- Initial assessment to find out how deep the soil goes and whether the sealer is still functional.
- Application of an alkaline pre-treatment to grout lines to eliminate the grease and dirt stuck on them.
- Low pH rinse and extraction through special equipment that agitates grout and extracts dirt from within the grout and not just from the surface of the tile.
- Spot treatment of especially dirty areas.
- Drying and inspection to check how clean the grout actually is before applying the sealer.
This process is fundamentally different from mopping as it aims to eliminate dirt from within the porous material and not just wipe the surface that has been sealed off.
Why Professional Grout Sealer Matters
The work of a professional grout sealer usually goes unused by homeowners, but it is arguably the most important step in the entire process. The sealer makes sure to fill the tiny microscopic gaps that exist in the grout, and create a seal that helps in preventing any future spills and messes from getting absorbed into the grout.
Without a sealer, the grout goes back to the porous state of its own almost instantly after the cleaning process is done. This means that any restoration process that you have done will be essentially undone with the first cup of coffee spilled on the counter or when someone walks through the kitchen with muddy shoes. Professional grout sealers that are used after deep cleaning last anything between one to two years, depending on how many people walk on that floor and how it is being used.
Kitchen Tile Deep Cleaning: A Special Case
Kitchen tiles require particular attention. This is because kitchens deal with a combination of factors leading to discoloration of grout: cooking oil, food spills, dusty flooring, and usage of water that is not as clean as it should be. One of these factors is cooking oil itself, since it does not completely wash away with plain water and is prone to sticking onto the grout, forming an unpleasant substance that cannot be completely removed with normal cleaning procedures.
Because of the combination of these factors, kitchen tiles require more frequent professional care than bathroom or entryway grout tiles. They also greatly benefit from being sealed since sealed grout is less vulnerable to grease contamination.
Understanding the Cost of Tile and Grout Cleaning
The price for tile cleaning and grout will depend on several things: overall square footage of the area, the current state of the grout, whether or not the sealant application is included, and whether the job is done in kitchen or bathroom with grease and soap scum buildup, or in an easier-to-clean area such as entryway.
Old grout that needs cleaning requires more pre-treatment work than the grout that is cleaned regularly, making the cost of cleaning a bit higher, just like when cleaning carpets. That’s why it is important to ask about everything included in the price you are quoted. Some companies charge per square foot while others are working with room or area price, which is why you should be very clear about what services you are getting in your quote.
Signs Your Tile Floors Need Professional Attention
- Despite constant mopping, grout lines appear to be gray brown.
- Grout feels rather grainy and rough as compared to when it was installed
- It is possible to see a slight color difference between grout that is close to walls (less used) and grout that is present in open areas of the floor
- It has been more than one year since grout was cleaned or sealed professionally.
- Grout in the kitchen or bathroom shows noticeable staining that cannot be removed by simple mopping.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can the discoloration of grout be rectified without professional cleaning?
Minor discoloration can sometimes be alleviated by scrubbing and using grout cleaner, but in case somebody’s grout has been soiled for years, professional cleaning will be required to restore it completely.
How long does grout sealer last?
Most professional-grade sealing solutions are effective for one to two years depending on the amount of foot traffic in the area where grout has been sealed, however, heavy usage requires an application of sealer every now and then.
Does grout cleaning damage tile?
No, since professional cleaning of grout and tile does not harm the tile itself.
Ready to See Your Grout Look New Again?
If your grout lines have changed from white or brown to gray, despite daily mopping, scrubbing will not help — what you need is professional extraction and sealing. MGX Hardwood Care can bring your grout back to its original color by adding a proper seal.
