Tile & Grout Maintenance Guide
This guide is intended to inform and assist in the maintenance of your tile, stone, and/or grout. If you have any questions feel free to reach out to Platow Tile directly we can answer any questions you may have.Grout Cleaning
Typically, on residential projects we will use a finely sanded cementitious grout on almost all applications. This type of grout will naturally have a porous surface and will be prone to hold dirt, especially in high traffic areas (entryway, kitchen, bathroom etc.). If the grout is not occasionally cleaned and sealed it can in some cases become permanently stained. If staining occurs there are a few options to restore the original color: steam cleaning, grout re-coloring (a.k.a. colorseal), or re-grouting. Steam cleaning can be damaging, inconsistent, and although it has a higher chance of removing stains, it is not guaranteed to work. Re-grouting is the process of removing existing grout and installing new grout in its place. This process is generally not necessary and is very time and labor intensive, so it is regarded as a “worst case scenario” solution. Grout re-coloring is a 3-step process that consists of cleaning the tile and grout, applying a colored sealant to the grout, and buffing the surface afterwards. This process works great at restoring the color of grout and making a very uniform appearance but is best to be handled by professionals as it can be a tedious and touchy process. Re-coloring should be done every few years to maintain its benefits. In order to avoid these costly and inconvenient solutions, it is ideal to regularly clean, seal and maintain your tile, stone, and grout. Platow Tile LLC does offer routine maintenance to its customers, but the process of cleaning and sealing is fairly DIY friendly.
“At Home” Cleaning Process
There are countless cleaners on the market for tile and grout and most of them work great. If you are to purchase a cleaner, be sure to read the instructions and/or data sheet before using the products to ensure proper manufacturer methods are being used. For soft or calcite-based stones (marble, travertine, limestone etc.) it is recommended to use a material-specific cleaning product from one of the brands listed at the end of this guide. Acidic cleaners will etch calcium-based stone surfaces with a polished finish. An easy at-home cleaning solution is simply vinegar and water. Vinegar is acidic so it’s important to routinely seal your grout so that when it comes time to clean, the grout won’t be negatively affected. Most of the grout used by Platow Tile does not require a sealer for 6-12 months according to the manufacturers.
• For a strong cleaning solution: mix 1 part vinegar with 3 parts water (preferably distilled water)
• For a gentle cleaning solution: mix 1 part vinegar with 10 parts water
• Add cleaning solution to a spray bottle. We prefer a pressurized spray bottle to keep your hands from getting too tired
• Spray solution on grout lines (and tile if desired)
• Let soak for about 5-10 minutes
• Scrub grout with a medium to hard nylon bristle brush
• Clean floors with a mop, Swiffer, dry towel etc.
• For added protection you can mop the floors using a neutral pH cleaner. Plenty of neutral cleaners are sold at the big box home improvement stores or you can make your own at-home solution using liquid dish detergent and water. (Most liquid dish detergents will have a neutral pH)
There are many options of nylon bristle brushes sold from common handheld brushes to grout specific brushes to drill attachment brushes. Scrubbing the grout by hand is going to be the best method to cleaning dirt and grime from the surface, but less effective methods can still be used and will help maintain the appearance of your grout.
Tile, Stone, & Grout Sealing Process
This process will outline what we’ve found to be the simplest way to seal any tile, stone, or grout. It is recommended to read the instructions of any products before using them. Depending on several factors such as foot traffic, sunlight exposure, water exposure etc. it may be prudent to seal your surface up to every 6 months. In most situations it is recommended to re-apply sealer every 12 months or so. The product that we recommend is called 511 Impregnator Sealer. It is sold in most big box stores (Home Depot, Lowes, Floor & Décor). This product has a strong smell, so if you’re sensitive to smells you may want to research another clear impregnator sealer (penetrating sealer). Most sealers will have the same process of application. The process for this specific product is as follows:
• Ensure the surface to be sealed has been adequately cleaned and is free of debris
• Pour sealer into spray bottle (alternatively, it can be applied with a towel or sponge by dampening towel with sealer and spread across entire surface)
• Spray sealer onto entire surface. For large areas it is best to use a pressurized sprayer for ease of application.
• Let product sit for 3-5 minutes (or as directed by manufacturer). Most of the sealer will soak into the surface within this time frame
• Dry and buff surface. If any sealer remains on the surface after 5 minutes, it’s important to soak up remaining sealer with a towel, microfiber cloth, paper towel etc.
• It is especially important to buff the surface if the surface has a shiny or polished finished.
• Avoid area for 1-3 hours. After 1-3 hours the sealer will be dry to touch and can withstand light foot traffic. If area must be walked on before sealer has dried, it is ideal to wear socks on surface. Shoes and bare feet are more prone to leaving behind marks that can dry onto the surface if sealer is still wet.
Additional Resources
This maintenance guide covers a DIY or “at-home” method to cleaning and sealing but you could also use name brand products and follow their manufacturer guidelines to clean and seal your tile or stone surface. Listed below are some of the brands we know and trust and links to their care guides and educational articles.
Laticrete: Stone & Tile Care Guide
MB Stone: Tips for Cleaning Stone Floors-MB Stone
Surphaces: Care Guide
Aqua Mix: Surface Maintenance Guide
Daltile: Tile Care & Maintenance Guide: Step by Step
If you have any questions or issues while cleaning or sealing your surfaces, please contact us. We would be more than happy to help you through the process and ensure that your surfaces are maintained and protected.