Those who clean professionally know the importance of small details; indeed, this attention to minutiae is much of what sets a professional clean from your cleaning Bristol experts apart from an amateur or “DIY” job.
Even the most committed experts can make errors when it comes to grout, however; grout cleaning is such a basic job that it can seem deceptively simple, when in reality, grout is one of the most common sites of errors when cleaning. Bristol cleaners should therefore pay extra heed to the grout commonly found on the tile flooring of restrooms, lobbies and entranceways, manufacturing areas, foodservice environments, and breakrooms.
When it comes to grout cleaning, cleaning Bristol contractors should always perform a pre-inspection (also known as a walk-through), taking note of the following:
Ask about the floor’s history: While it’s not common, some tile floors have been sealed for extra protection, and this affects how they ought to be cleaned.
“Grout stays much cleaner if it’s been sealed or impregnated,” explains Larry McAlpin, vice president of strategic projects at Rite Way Service Inc., in Birmingham, Alabama (USA). “Grout is very porous and absorbs liquids, so if a tile and grout floor has been sealed, it can be a whole lot easier to get and keep clean.”
This is not to suggest that sealed tiled floors do not require regular care, however. Stewart Wurm, executive vice president at Mr. Clean Maintenance Systems, in Bloomington, California (USA), explains that when sealed and waxed floors do become stained or soiled, cleaners must strip away those two layers before the grout itself can be cleaned, a job which will require the use of especially strong solvents. Floors that were sealed with a water-based sealant should be re-sealed every 14 to 20 months, but solvent-based sealants can last for up to two or three years before they must be replaced.
Always look for chips and cracks prior to cleaning. Craig Kersemeier, president of K-tech Kleening Systems in Weston, Wisconsin (USA), explains why doing the aforementioned is so important for contract cleaners:
“If you wait to point out chips, cracks or deformities until after you’ve cleaned a floor, you may be held liable for them. A little pre-inspection goes a long way. If you see something is loose or cracked, report it. Educate customers — don’t make excuses.”
Remember that natural stone tiles (i.e. granite and marble tiles) are fundamentally different to ceramic tiles. These tiles, usually found in lobbies and entryway areas, require very different chemicals than those used when attending to the (more common) ceramic variety of tiles. McAlpin warns that, “You’d never want to use an acidic product on natural stone, because stone has calcium in it and acid reacts with the calcium and will ruin it.”
The only exception to the above rule is when rust stains are an issue; one may then have no choice but to try an acid-based solvent when cleaning. Bristol cleaners should, in this instance, first test the product they wish to use in a discreet corner, watching for any signs of a bad reaction before proceeding to clean the rest of the floor.