Carpet Tech's Floor Care & Restoration Blog

Grout & Tile Cleaning

Just about everybody has some tile and grout in their home, usually in the bathroom or kitchen, that could use a little tile cleaning. If you have some grout that looks a bit discolored and needs to be lightened, try this at-home remedy.

Step 1: Add enough household bleach to a scouring powder to make a cleaning paste. Make sure to use a powder that does not contain ammonia, which produces a dangerous reaction with bleach.

Step 2: Scrub the paste over the dirty grout with a soft bristled brush. (An old toothbrush works great.) Then rinse with cool water.

Step 3: To clean particularly stubborn stains, leave a small amount of the cleaning paste on the stain and cover with plastic. This essentially creates a poultice that keeps in moisture and helps draw out the stain and reduce scrubbing time. Remove it the next day and continue the cleaning procedure.

Note: Be sure to wear rubber gloves and keep the area well ventilated. Once you've finished scrubbing, rinse thoroughly with water.

Of course, if serious cleaning needs to be done, call your carpet cleaning professional. We've got specially designed tools and products that can power through the worse dirt and grime. Your tile will look brand new again and your grout will be it's original color!

Keep Your Shower Clean

Shower enclosures are a chore to keep clean -- but they can be less of a problem if you follow these guidelines:

• Keep mildew from taking hold by wiping shower walls with a towel after each shower.
• If the shower area is subject to mildew, periodically spray it with a mildew inhibitor and disinfectant.
• Remove hard-water deposits on shower enclosures with a solution of white vinegar and water.
• Glass shower doors will sparkle when you clean them with a sponge dipped in white vinegar.
• Add 1 cup liquid fabric softener to 1 quart warm water, and use to loosen and clean soap scum from shower doors. Do not use on the tub; it will become slippery.
• Remove water spots on the metal frames around shower doors and enclosures with lemon oil.
• Note: Never use harsh abrasive powders or steel-wool pads.

Remember when it is time to have a professional in depth cleaning on your shower call our professionals at Carpet Tech. We can have your shower tile and grout cleaner than ever before!