Ceramic floor tile, white grout - Cleaning Talk - Professional Cleaning and Restoration Forum

nwislandgramma · 05-21-2007, 02:20 PM

Hi All!
I will be cleaning a house at the end of the week with a large area (entry way, dining, kitchen, and 2 bathrooms) of dirty white ceramic tile, with dirty white grout (one foot square, tile size). I do not have a commercial cleaner (machine), but I do have a wet vac. My questions are, how do I clean this floor the most effectively with the tools I have available to me? I can purchase tile and grout cleaner also, I just need to know what type has worked well for someone else in the past. Do I need to get any special brushes? I really don't want anyone to tell me I need to do this with a toothbrush!!

I have been reading the other posts, but I just want clarification to this specific floor. Thank you all in advance!

Cleaning Superman · 05-21-2007, 03:24 PM

Pump sprayer will help to apply to grout and the pressure will help loosen soils. Stiff brush, thin bristles will be enough to knock the dirt off. Hand held grout brush can make the darker spots come a cleaner.

Best tip is keep it plenty wet as you clean and rinse several time after using wet vac.

Did a floor just as you described today. It turned out great but of course I was used my high pressure machine and squeegee wand for speed. One of those, if I hadn't forgot my camera deals.

nwislandgramma · 05-21-2007, 08:14 PM

Thank you Superman! I just went to Home Depot and bought some alkaline grout cleaner, is this the correct stuff? I thought I read it on another thread.....they (Home Depot employees) were telling me to buy stuff with sealer in it.
This is my first tile/grout experience, so that is why this forum is greatly appreciated!

nwislandgramma · 05-21-2007, 08:21 PM

I just read the cleaner, it's not alkaline, its Acidic Cleaner...sorry.

Cleaning Superman · 05-22-2007, 07:29 PM

Using an acid requires neutralizing or heavy rinsing. I usually use it as a last step for removing stubborn stains.

Light dilutions of floor stripper allowed to dwell does really well. Have used Simple Green with good results. Stripper and Simple Green produces foam in great amounts. I use MB-2 Heavy Duty Stone, Tile, and Grout cleaner mainly because it works well at light dilutions and produces less foam. MB-2 Heavy Duty Stone, Tile, And Grout Cleaner

Sealing should be done seperately after cleaning. Penetrating sealer should only be applied 24 hours after cleaning for complete drying. Water based can usually be applied an hour or so after surface is dry.

nwislandgramma · 05-22-2007, 11:26 PM

Thank you for your reply, I am feeling a little more confident going into this job on Friday. I appreciate your link to the Stone care website, I think I will go into town tomorrow and see our Stone/Tile dealer to get the proper stuff to use, and take back the stuff I got from Home Depot!

MichaelseBiz · 09-21-2008, 07:55 PM

Hello and I had to tackle such problem years ago when I used to work with my father - who is a home contractor...

I used the Shaklee Basic H and it worked so well that the home owner wanted to know where he could get some for himself...

Just have a look at my business site below for more info...