Old grout may need cleaning with a wax stripper or heavy-duty cleaner plus a grout brush. Use a bleaching cleanser on tough spots. Once the grout is as clean as you can get it, rinse it well. When it's thoroughly dry, apply a coat of masonry sealer so that it doesn't absorb dirt in the future.
For mildewed grout in tubs or showers, use a grout brush with a 1:5 solution of chlorine bleach and water. Never use bleach in combination with any ammonia-based product and be sure the area is well-ventilated. When you've finished cleaning, rinse the area well to remove all traces of bleach.
Clean colored grout with a heavy-duty cleaner and a grout brush, but don't use bleach because this may remove the color from the grout. Be sure never to use a bleaching solution on colored grout. A masonry sealer can be applied to clean, colored grout to ward off future stains.
You can view this article at: http://www.merrymaids.com/cleaningtips/#grout
Showing posts with label tile cleaning. Show all posts
Showing posts with label tile cleaning. Show all posts
Monday
Another Steam Mop Review - SteamFast SF-140 Steam Mop
This is supposed to be the best inexpensive Steam Mop. Read the review below to find out more!
Best inexpensive steam mop
pros
* Swiveling mop head
* Uses tap water
* Easy to fill and maneuver
* 19-foot power cord
* Removable handle
cons
* Durability complaints
* Relatively small water reservoir
* Can leave floors wet
* Can't be used on all types of flooring
* Doesn't sanitize unless left in place for 15 seconds
Reviewers and owners agree that the SteamFast SF-140 steam mop is the best option in its price range, although the Bissell 1867-7 steam mop (*est. $80) gets better reviews overall. The SteamFast mop can steam for about 12 minutes without refilling (compared to 15 minutes for the Bissell version), and reviews say it cuts right through dried liquids and other stains on a variety of flooring materials. As with all steam mops, the SteamFast SF-140 should not be used on unsealed wood or cork floors. Some owners say that they use towels to absorb excess water left on the floor after mopping, but this is a very common complaint about steam mops. If you can budget more for a steam mop, reviews say that the Bissell 1867-7 is sturdier.
We read the best review of the SteamFast SF-140 at KYW-TV's website CBS3.com, which records the results of Good Housekeeping's steam-mop testing. This mop aced the testing and outperformed the other two mops tested. At Amazon.com, this mop has garnered a handful of reviews, but at Walmart.com, it's been reviewed more than 150 times.
You can view more reviews at: http://www.consumersearch.com/steam-mops/steamfast-sf-140-steam-mop
Best inexpensive steam mop
pros
* Swiveling mop head
* Uses tap water
* Easy to fill and maneuver
* 19-foot power cord
* Removable handle
cons
* Durability complaints
* Relatively small water reservoir
* Can leave floors wet
* Can't be used on all types of flooring
* Doesn't sanitize unless left in place for 15 seconds
Reviewers and owners agree that the SteamFast SF-140 steam mop is the best option in its price range, although the Bissell 1867-7 steam mop (*est. $80) gets better reviews overall. The SteamFast mop can steam for about 12 minutes without refilling (compared to 15 minutes for the Bissell version), and reviews say it cuts right through dried liquids and other stains on a variety of flooring materials. As with all steam mops, the SteamFast SF-140 should not be used on unsealed wood or cork floors. Some owners say that they use towels to absorb excess water left on the floor after mopping, but this is a very common complaint about steam mops. If you can budget more for a steam mop, reviews say that the Bissell 1867-7 is sturdier.
We read the best review of the SteamFast SF-140 at KYW-TV's website CBS3.com, which records the results of Good Housekeeping's steam-mop testing. This mop aced the testing and outperformed the other two mops tested. At Amazon.com, this mop has garnered a handful of reviews, but at Walmart.com, it's been reviewed more than 150 times.
You can view more reviews at: http://www.consumersearch.com/steam-mops/steamfast-sf-140-steam-mop
Sunday
Bissell 1867-7 Steam Mop Review for Tile Floors
Best steam mop
- Uses plain water
- Sturdy build
- Pivoting head gets into corners
- Removes scuffs and stuck-on stains
- Ready indicator light
- Washable mop-head cover
- Can't be used on all types of flooring
- Doesn't sanitize unless left in place for 15 seconds
- Leaves floors wet
- 17-foot cord too short for some
- Must depress trigger to release steam
We read the best reviews of this mop at Amazon.com, where it has accumulated 450 reviews. We also found several dozen owner-written reviews of the Bissell 1867-7 at Epinions.com. Green-cleaning blogger Danny Seo posts a brief, glowing writeup about this mop to his blog.
Find more product reviews at: http://www.consumersearch.com/steam-mops/bissell-1867-7-steam-mop
Tuesday
Taking Care of your Tile
Ever wonder how to take care of your tile? We found some great tips from the "World Floor Covering Association". Check it out!
Ceramic tile is beautiful, durable, practical and an elegant addition to any home. Are you picturing it in your home?
It also offers a seemingly endless variety of style options – hundreds of textures, patterns and glazings in numerous sizes.
But if you are about to make this flooring a solution for the way you live, take care. Take care of your investment and it will reward you and your home for many, many years to come.
Plus, knowing what’s expected of you regarding flooring upkeep can be a determining factor in the type of ceramic tile you purchase.
That’s why we put this section together for you. It’s about the care, considerations and cautions of maintaining a ceramic tile floor. Maybe your floor.
So check over the following advice and be a little smarter about smart and stylish ceramic tile.
Sweep but don’t “beat” ceramic tile.
It’s important to sweep a tile floor regularly. Dirt can adhere to the surface of tile, particularly styles with a textured surface.
Regular sweeping loosens and removes most of this dirt. So keep on sweeping.
Don’t forget those labor saving devices. Feel free to use a vacuum cleaner to sweep, but be sure to use one without a beater bar to avoid dulling and scratching the tiles.
However, the attachments that accompany vacuum cleaners are useful to collect dirt along edges or in between tiles.
Keep dirt in its place.
Be sure to use walk-off mats to minimize and contain dirt being tracked in at entryways. And shake them often, homeowner.
This reduces the amount of dirt being tracked across the tile floor, and reduces the wear to the finished surface.
Cleaning tips that really shine.
Ceramic tile floors should be damp-mopped regularly using the manufacturer’s recommended grout and tile cleaners.
For heavier soil, you can spot clean the floor with a sponge or clean cloth using the recommended cleaners.
Rinse well and wipe dry for more shine.
Textured tiles may require mild scrubbing with a soft brush or electric polisher/scrubber.
After cleaning with a mild detergent rinse thoroughly with clean, warm water to help remove any leftover residue.
If needed wipe dry with a clean towel to remove any film.
For soft water situations you may need to use an all-purpose cleaner.
Apply to the floor, let stand for 3 - 5 minutes, lightly scrub with a sponge, rinse well and you’re home free – dirt free too.
For heavier cleaning tasks there are cleaning products available from your local grocery store that can be used to remove soap scum, hard water deposits, and mildew stains.
You’ll want to consult the cleaning product’s instructions to make sure the product is compatible with your type of tile.
After cleaning, rinse well and wipe dry for optimum shine. And maximum pride.
No-Nos for those in the know.
Avoid using steel wool, scouring powders, or other abrasives that can scratch the finish of the tile.
Don’t use bleach or ammonia based cleaners, as these products can discolor your grout if used too often.
Also, do not clean glazed tile with oil-based cleaners.
Be fast on your feet. Try to clean up spills as quickly as possible so that the grout or tile doesn’t become stained.
While ceramic tile is considered very durable, it’s not indestructible and may crack or chip under extreme force.
Take the proper precautions when moving heavy objects across your tile floor. Get a small army to help you move that grand piano.
Cover furniture and table legs with protectors to guard your floor against damage.
Keep in mind that if a repair is necessary in the future, the replacement product may be a slightly different dye lot and/or texture than the initial installation.
However, the good news is that, with time and usage, the repair will blend in with the original product.
ceramic tile grout
Final advice: do caulk and consider sealing.
Once the tile has been laid and grouted, it’s your responsibility to maintain areas exposed to water by caulking.
Caulking will prevent expensive subsurface damage, as well as keep the tiled areas looking their best.
Depending on your lifestyle, sealing new tile and grout may be an option.
After the installation process is complete and the grout has had ample time to cure, sealing the grout and tile can provide protection from dirt and spills by slowing down the staining process.
Today there are also innovative grout colorants you should be aware of.
These products can transform the original color of grout and in some cases can act as a form of sealant. Please be aware that non-epoxy grout joints should be treated with a silicone sealer.
Regular care and maintenance will keep your ceramic tile looking new for years to come, and will keep your home a showcase for family and friends.
To read article Click Here
Ceramic tile is beautiful, durable, practical and an elegant addition to any home. Are you picturing it in your home?
It also offers a seemingly endless variety of style options – hundreds of textures, patterns and glazings in numerous sizes.
But if you are about to make this flooring a solution for the way you live, take care. Take care of your investment and it will reward you and your home for many, many years to come.
Plus, knowing what’s expected of you regarding flooring upkeep can be a determining factor in the type of ceramic tile you purchase.
That’s why we put this section together for you. It’s about the care, considerations and cautions of maintaining a ceramic tile floor. Maybe your floor.
So check over the following advice and be a little smarter about smart and stylish ceramic tile.
Sweep but don’t “beat” ceramic tile.
It’s important to sweep a tile floor regularly. Dirt can adhere to the surface of tile, particularly styles with a textured surface.
Regular sweeping loosens and removes most of this dirt. So keep on sweeping.
Don’t forget those labor saving devices. Feel free to use a vacuum cleaner to sweep, but be sure to use one without a beater bar to avoid dulling and scratching the tiles.
However, the attachments that accompany vacuum cleaners are useful to collect dirt along edges or in between tiles.
Keep dirt in its place.
Be sure to use walk-off mats to minimize and contain dirt being tracked in at entryways. And shake them often, homeowner.
This reduces the amount of dirt being tracked across the tile floor, and reduces the wear to the finished surface.
Cleaning tips that really shine.
Ceramic tile floors should be damp-mopped regularly using the manufacturer’s recommended grout and tile cleaners.
For heavier soil, you can spot clean the floor with a sponge or clean cloth using the recommended cleaners.
Rinse well and wipe dry for more shine.
Textured tiles may require mild scrubbing with a soft brush or electric polisher/scrubber.
After cleaning with a mild detergent rinse thoroughly with clean, warm water to help remove any leftover residue.
If needed wipe dry with a clean towel to remove any film.
For soft water situations you may need to use an all-purpose cleaner.
Apply to the floor, let stand for 3 - 5 minutes, lightly scrub with a sponge, rinse well and you’re home free – dirt free too.
For heavier cleaning tasks there are cleaning products available from your local grocery store that can be used to remove soap scum, hard water deposits, and mildew stains.
You’ll want to consult the cleaning product’s instructions to make sure the product is compatible with your type of tile.
After cleaning, rinse well and wipe dry for optimum shine. And maximum pride.
No-Nos for those in the know.
Avoid using steel wool, scouring powders, or other abrasives that can scratch the finish of the tile.
Don’t use bleach or ammonia based cleaners, as these products can discolor your grout if used too often.
Also, do not clean glazed tile with oil-based cleaners.
Be fast on your feet. Try to clean up spills as quickly as possible so that the grout or tile doesn’t become stained.
While ceramic tile is considered very durable, it’s not indestructible and may crack or chip under extreme force.
Take the proper precautions when moving heavy objects across your tile floor. Get a small army to help you move that grand piano.
Cover furniture and table legs with protectors to guard your floor against damage.
Keep in mind that if a repair is necessary in the future, the replacement product may be a slightly different dye lot and/or texture than the initial installation.
However, the good news is that, with time and usage, the repair will blend in with the original product.
ceramic tile grout
Final advice: do caulk and consider sealing.
Once the tile has been laid and grouted, it’s your responsibility to maintain areas exposed to water by caulking.
Caulking will prevent expensive subsurface damage, as well as keep the tiled areas looking their best.
Depending on your lifestyle, sealing new tile and grout may be an option.
After the installation process is complete and the grout has had ample time to cure, sealing the grout and tile can provide protection from dirt and spills by slowing down the staining process.
Today there are also innovative grout colorants you should be aware of.
These products can transform the original color of grout and in some cases can act as a form of sealant. Please be aware that non-epoxy grout joints should be treated with a silicone sealer.
Regular care and maintenance will keep your ceramic tile looking new for years to come, and will keep your home a showcase for family and friends.
To read article Click Here
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