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Why Grout Needs to Be Cleaned and Sealed

Cleaning grout.
Unless your home is brand new, chances are dirty grout is lurking somewhere in the shadows, resisting even your most in-depth tile cleaning attempts. How does this disgusting dinginess manage to out-man even your most herculean cleaning efforts?

Uncovering grout’s dirty little secrets…

  • Grout is porous.
    Its rough surface absorbs moisture, discoloring liquids (such as dirty mop water), soap, and “stuff” (dirt, oils) from your body that breeds bacteria, mold, and mildew, which ultimately leads to staining and discoloration.
  • Grout lives in a “bad neighborhood.”
    Warm, moist environments like your kitchen and bath are the perfect breeding ground for mold, mildew, and bacteria.
  • The grout needs to be sealed.
    Tile installers often skip this step, because it requires them to come back after they’ve completed the project and grout has dried. Then homeowners neglect the task as time passes – which needs to be performed every 6 months, following a thorough tile cleaning, to prevent undesirables from penetrating, staining, and discoloring your grout.
  • The grout needs to be cleaned.
    It’s not fun, we know. But mineral deposits from water, soap scum, and dirt (carried in by your body) must be removed with regular cleaning and the proper tile cleaning solutions to keep grout looking fresh.
  • Grout is part of a team…
    Or system if you will, and if any part of that system breaks down, grout can be affected. Grout’s team members – the materials used in the installation of your tile – do not normally support mold and mildew. If there is a breakdown leading to water trapped in the subsurface, however, like cracks in the grout or worn sealer, moisture can get in behind the grout and problems may arise.

Cleaning Conundrum

Once the grout is stained, it is very hard to remove the stains and restore the grout to its original color, even with proper cleaning methods. Fear not, however, professional tile and grout cleaning services (followed by proper re-sealing procedures) offer an effective tile cleaning solution. Using specialized cleaners and advanced cleaning equipment, professional cleaning can restore your tile to the sparkling clean condition everyday cleaning and scrubbing cannot.

Your tile was a significant investment in your home. Protect it and extend its life with the care and attention it deserves. Contact Rainbow Restoration® and schedule a professional tile cleaning today.

For Further Reading:

Step One: Clean Your New House

How to Clean Your Couch

Here's Your Tornado Shelter Supplies Checklist

More Than the Funnel: Severe Weather Tornado Signs

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