Tile Cleaning Hints and Myths

Q: Is bleach and a toothbrush the only way to get grout clean?

A: False. With the exception of epoxy and single component rope-mixed grouts, using a sealer will make cleaning your grout easy with neutral pH cleaner or specialty grout cleaner and the proper cleaning procedure. Bleach can damage the sealer in the grout over time.

Q: Is vinegar a good cleaner for my tile or stone installation?

A: Vinegar is a mild acid. Acids do not degrease and primarily work by attacking the minerals in the grout and many stones thereby creating damage overtime. Vinegar can also compromise the sealer in the tile, stone or grout. Or stone cleaner should be used.​

Q: Are Windex or 409 good for cleaning my granite countertop?

A: While these products do clean, they can be damaging with regular use. Many types of granite today are treated with a resin which can become cloudy or discolour with the repeated use of these types of cleaners. A neutral pH or specialty stone cleaner is recommended for routine cleaning.​

Q: Can I clean my tile or stone with lemon oil to bring it back to life?

A: Lemon oil or cleaners containing oil will darken and appear to rejuvenate the appearance of tile or stone. However this effect is temporary and often they leave behind residues that remain tacky and serve as a dirt and dust collector. A neutral pH or specialty tile or stone cleaner is recommended for routine cleaning. For certainties or stones, a colour enhancing sealer can be used to darken and highlight the character.​

Q: Is Muriatic Acid the best product to remove grout haze or eve-florescence on my tile or stone?

A: Muriatic acid should never be used on tile installations. While acids do breakdown and dissolve mineral-based contaminates such as efflorescence and grout haze, this type of acid is too strong and has been known to damage tile, stone and grout. It is also very hazardous to work with and when used indoors can corrode metal fixtures. Milder acids such as sulfuric, phosphoric or organic ac-ids are very effective and much safer.​

Q: Does grout really need to be sealed?​

A: All cementitious grout, unless otherwise stated in the technical data sheet, is porous and subject to staining if not properly sealed. Sealing also reduces ongoing maintenance helps preserve the original look.​

Q: Do you really need to wait two to four weeks before using sealer once the tile or stone is installed?

A: Some sealers can be applied within days of grouting. These products allow for good vapour transmission so the concern of trap-ping moisture in is no longer a barrier. There are some sealers that can be used the same day of grouting due to good vapour trans-mission and specific technology that allows the sealer to penetrate wet grout. There are also grout sealer additives that can be mixed with the grout in place of using a sealer post installation. Always check with the manufacturer of any grout sealer for their specific recommendations and limitations.