How to Clean Grout in Floors

Restroom cleanliness is one of the most common complaints
cleaning companies receive. When cleaning restrooms, keep
in mind that they should not only look clean, but that they
should feel and smell clean. An important part in
maintaining a high level of cleanliness is making sure the
floor grout is clean. Grout is porous, so over time,
moisture, contaminants, and even dirty mop water can
discolor it. These circumstances can lead to staining,
odors, and aid in the growth of bacteria, mold, and mildew.

There are several reasons is it so difficult to clean floor
grout:

* Using a cleaner that doesn't float contaminates to the
surface.

* Using a cleaner that contains detergents that settle into
the grout with dirt and oils.

* Sealers may have been improperly used in the past.
Instead of keeping out dirt and oils, these may now be
trapped in the grout.

* Acidic or high pH cleaners make grout more porous and
fragile with the result being the grout re-soils faster.

* Cleaners used in the past may have left residues that
become dirt magnets.

Before starting to clean tile and grout it is important to
analyze what dirt and contaminants you're dealing with.
Then based on that information, select a cleaner designed
for cleaning that type of soil and is suitable for the
flooring being cleaned.

Using the right cleaner and using it correctly are
important steps to keeping grout clean. To avoid soap scum,
daily cleaners must be salt free. When deep cleaning, the
cleaner needs to be free of high levels of potassium and
sodium salts. The cleaner you use must be able to float
contamination up as well as transfer it to the mop so the
grout comes clean. Carefully consider the pH of the product
you are using. Acidic based cleaners (low pH) bleach rather
than clean and basic cleaners (high pH) tend to be high in
salts. Be cautious about the use of citrus products. Many
of these products leave unwanted residues that make floors
feel sticky. It is important to use the right chemical as
bacteria can get trapped into grout and tile. It may be
necessary to use a germicide cleaner, especially around
toilets and urinals, to kill bacteria and remove any urine
that has dried into the grout or tile.

Cleaning grout is often labor-intensive at times even
requiring scrubbing by hand, which may not be practical in
a large restroom. There are procedures you can follow to
help keep grout clean. First, use a chemical proportioning
system to dilute chemicals accurately. When you use too
much chemical, sealants break down faster. Second, have
adequate ventilation to help prevent the build up of odors
and speed up drying. Frequent changing of mop water and mop
heads helps to make sure that contaminants are picked up
and not pushed back into the grout. Consider switching to
microfiber mops as they have proven to be the most
effective at removing contaminants from floor surfaces.

When cleaning, liberally apply chemicals and don't allow
the floor to dry before scrubbing. Always allow proper
dwell time, which is typically between 5 and 10 minutes.
The next step is to use the right tool to scrub the floor
surface. To effectively clean the surfaces use floor
brushes. After thoroughly scrubbing the floor, remove the
excess liquid. A wet vacuum works well as it will pick up
the excess water, dirt, residue and cleaning chemical used
on the floor.

New and innovative equipment can also make cleaning grout
faster. High-pressure water systems (up to 1200 psi) can
effectively deep clean, loosen, and remove soil. Some
systems also heat the water, which aids in the cleaning
process. Grout cleaning systems also have
auto-feed/auto-dump capabilities so you can use them
continuously without stopping. The machines pick up
loosened soil and leave no residue. Another option is using
cylindrical brush technology. These machines do not use
pads like rotary buffers, but instead use rotating brushes.
These brushes penetrate and loosen the dirt in grout and
tile.

To keep grout and tile looking their best it is important
to train your staff and make sure they continue to follow
the proper procedures when cleaning grout. Having written
procedures and checklists can help to assure the proper
cleaning techniques are always followed.

Lack of attention, carelessness, and the wrong types of
cleaners used will lead to dirty grout and the entire floor
looking dull and dingy. Paying attention and spending a
little extra time when cleaning grout will keep not only
the floor, but the entire restroom, looking and smelling
clean.


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Steve Hanson is co-founder of TheJanitorialStore.com, an
online community for owners of cleaning companies. Sign up
for Trash Talk:Tip of the Week at
http://www.TheJanitorialStore.com . Read success stories at
http://www.cleaning-success.com .