If we're working with ceramic tile, for example, that should be cleaned every six to nine months depending on the amount of foot traffic. However, for natural stone tile, such as marble or granite, professional floor cleaning is recommended every twelve months.
Not cleaning tiles can make them weaker. Over time, tiles start to discolor, fade and even develop hairline cracks. But it's not enough just to clean tile and grout with regular soap and water. Professional cleaning and sealing help prolong the life of tile surfaces.
Wet clean: Plan to mop the tile floor in your kitchen once every two weeks and your bathroom tile floor once a week (germs tend to build up in bathrooms). Take the time to spot-clean your grout once every few months or whenever it's looking dingy.
All natural stone surfaces are porous, so resealing tiles is typically required around every 3 to 4 years. However, if you're wondering whether it's time to reseal your tiles, a quick way to check is by performing the water drop test.
To keep your floor grout protected, it really should be professionally cleaned and sealed at least every other year. Public spaces and high-use showers might require yearly grout cleaning and sealing.
Tile and Grout Cleaning Cost Per Square Foot
The average cost of standard tile and grout cleaning services is $0.75-$3 per square foot.
Baking Soda and Peroxide Mixture
Some professionals swear by a simple mixture of baking soda and peroxide to clean grout. Hydrogen peroxide is an acid, and baking soda is a base compound. Mixing the two together creates a reaction that can penetrate the grout lines and free dirt and debris.
Porous grouts attract water, dirt, oils, etc. While the tile industry does not require sealing, it is always recommended, especially in wet or high-traffic areas. Penetrating sealers are the most commonly used and offer high water, chemical and stain resistance.
Tile. Tile floors have an incredibly long life expectancy – if they're taken care of. Ceramic tile can easily last 75 to 100 years, while natural stone (like marble or granite) can last well over 100.
We recommend having your grout and tile professionally cleaned every one to two years, depending on the amount of traffic your tiled surface is exposed to. Public spaces, such as floors, might require a yearly cleaning, whereas a guest room shower will require a cleaning every two years or so.
Not Using a Clean Mop Head
Not using a clean mop head is a common mistake when mopping tile floors. It is important to properly clean it before storing it away for next time and to replace it every two weeks or so due to wear and tear from cleaning different types of surfaces.
TLDR: professional cleaners use a detailed process to wash tile and grout. First, they start by vacuuming the floor to remove dry dirt. Next, they mop the floor to remove stains. After that, a thorough steam cleaning of your tile and grout occurs.
Their experience. The best tilers have a lot of experience, which can take years to build up. Because they are good at tiling, can lay tiles quickly, handle complicated projects and achieve a flawless finish, they can charge more.
When it comes to professional tile and grout cleaning, Stanley Steemer has you covered. Our tile and grout-specific process and equipment remove the burden from you, getting deep into the pores of your tile and leaving it gleaming.
Grout Doctor pricing is $200 to $500 on average, depending on the service package, travel costs, and region. Grout Doctor offers steam cleaning, tile repair, regrouting, recaulking, grout recoloring, and sealing.
High-traffic floor grout: Should be sealed every six months to one year. Guest bath and shower grout: Should be sealed every year or two, depending on frequency of use.
Do You Regrout or Retile? The average cost of tiling a shower is about $1,800–$5,000. Retiling a shower will be a few hundred dollars more once you factor in $2–$5 per square foot to remove the old tiles. Regrouting shower tiles costs significantly less, with an average price range of $700–$1,500.
On average, you can expect to pay $1 to $2 per square foot for labor, depending on whether you hire a local grout repair specialist for grout sealing only or both grout sealing and cleaning.
Whoever installed your floors most likely did not seal the grout because it needs time to harden and cure completely.
Most porcelain tiles won't need sealing, as they are naturally robust and offer water resistance. However, if you have polished porcelain or other porous tiles they must be sealed to stop water from entering and damaging the tile. Unsealed tiles can stain, and attract dust and dirt which can be difficult to clean.
You can seal the grout the day after you applied it or 100 years later. If it isn't dirty, seal all three sides of the shower with a tile sealer or masonry sealer. That will make the grout water-resistant, if not waterproof, and help prevent the growth of mold and dirt.
If you're a die-hard DIYer, using Dawn dish soap alone can be a safer option for mild cleaning. Dilute a small amount of Dawn in warm water, scrub the grout with a soft brush, and rinse thoroughly.
How it works: Touted as a miracle cleaning paste, The Pink Stuff is easy to apply to grout using a soft cloth or sponge. Simply rub and scrub, and then rinse with hot water. As a mildly abrasive cleaner, the paste has a little grit to it, which helps scrub away dirt and debris from grout and surfaces.
Does professional grout cleaning work? Absolutely. Those who clean tile professionally are actual professionals in cleaning. This means that they've studied the products and done countless cleanings with outstanding results.