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5 Common Myths About Tile and Grout Cleaning, Maintenance and Repair

Over time, grout can become dingy, smelly, dirty and discolored. It can also become too much to clean on your own.

A buildup of grime and dirt on the grout in your kitchen and bathroom can be an unsightly and even unhealthy problem to deal with. If your tile or grout is cracked, or you haven’t completed proper water damage repairs, mold or mildew is likely lurking beneath the surface of the tile. Cleaning grout improperly unfortunately makes these issues even worse.

Proper tile and grout cleaning is challenging for the average person, and many do not understand just how much special care is required. For this reason, many people turn to The Grout Medic for cleaning grout and tile regrouting. Our service experts possess the knowledge and skill needed to clean, maintain, seal, repair or even replace tile or grout.

If you do attempt to clean your tile or grout yourself, consider these five myths and misconceptions before beginning.

Myth 1: Mopping works well for cleaning grout.

Mopping your floors can keep tile and grout surfaces clean, but it is not a powerful enough method to remove all the grime that settles over time. Unclean water or poor mopping can actually stain grout faster, as dirt and mud is pushed into the pores of the grout. If you are going to mop, consider using a wet vac to make sure all the moisture is eliminated. Avoid the risk of causing discoloration while cleaning grout by having it professionally cleaned by The Grout Medic. We use a steam-cleaning system that penetrates the pores of your grout to get the material truly clean.

Myth 2: Cleaning grout is as easy as letting your floors soak in soapy water.

Submerging tile and grout in water can result in long-term damage, leading to costly repairs. While dish and household soap products may help loosen stubborn dirt initially, they actually attract more dirt once dried. Dirt sticks and accumulates to the dried soap residue, quickly leaving tile and grout dingy again.

Myth 3: Bleach is ideal for cleaning grout to eliminate hard-to-remove stains.

Chlorine bleach disinfects, removes stains and whitens surfaces. For most items in your home, this is great. But, it deteriorates tile and grout over time. Using bleach causes the grout to weaken, become brittle and break apart. Bleach can also ruin the glossy finish on most tiles. The Grout Medic can take care of cleaning grout in your home, and then apply a sealant to prevent future staining.

Myth 4: Cleaning grout through hard scrubbing will get rid of grout stains.

You may make a dent in the dirt with enough elbow grease. However, rough, vigorous scrubbing can remove much more than grime. Stiff or wire brushes wear away and dislodge grout, while also scratching the top of the tile. Don’t waste time and energy scrubbing grout and tile. Call The Grout Medic and have your grout cleaned quickly.

Myth 5: Grout and tile don’t need much care at all.

Just like any other household surface, tile and grout require cleaning, maintenance and upkeep, but they’re areas most people don’t consider. Qualified tile and grout professionals have the proper procedures and tools for cleaning grout. Routine professional care is recommended for the long-term health of your grout.

Don’t worry about cleaning grout — call The Grout Medic

Cleaning grout is easier when you call The Grout Medic, the nation’s leading tile and grout services provider for:

Find your local Grout Medic and get a free estimate on your services. Or call 1-866-994-7688, and a member of our customer service crew will assist you.

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