With exposure to moisture and dirt, the tile and grout in your home can become covered in grime. When left unattended, the layers of gunk can cause permanent discoloration to surfaces, making the entire space appear dingy. Although it’s best to hire a professional for routine tile and grout cleaning, there are a few common mistakes homeowners make when caring for the surfaces between service calls. To prevent damaging tile and grout, here are a few do-it-yourself cleaning blunders to avoid. 

5 Mistakes to Avoid When Cleaning Your Tile & Grout

1. Using a Vacuum on Tile Flooring

If you have tile flooring in the bathroom or any other area of the house, don’t use a vacuum to clean the surfaces. Although the appliance does an effective job of extracting dirt from carpet fibers, it’s beater bar could leave behind scratches on harder materials.  

2. Scrubbing Surfaces With Abrasive Products

It takes a bit of elbow grease to remove layers of grime from tile and grout. When scrubbing the surfaces, never use steel wool or other abrasive materials. The scratchy texture could chip away at the grout or leave deep scratches on the tile. 

3. Applying Oil-Based Cleaners to Surfaces

Don’t use oil-based cleaning products on glazed tile. The glaze is applied to make the porous material water-resistant, which means oil residue could remain on the surfaces and make them slippery and unsafe.  

4. Sweeping or Mopping on Rare Occasions 

Without regular care, dirt will easily collect between tiles and settle in the grout. The debris can scratch it and cause permanent damage. Sticking with a regular sweeping or mopping schedule will eliminate dirt before it has a chance to accumulate and cause damage. 

5. Using Too Much Water When Mopping

When mopping tile floors, never drench the surfaces in water. When you use too much water, it’s difficult to remove all of the excess moisture. Minerals from the water can collect on the tile and grout and eat away at the materials. 

Although you can take the do-it-yourself approach to tile and grout cleaning, the professionals at Heaven's Best Carpet Cleaning in West Lake Hills, TX, have the tools and experience to thoroughly clean the surfaces without causing damage. You can also trust the technicians to tend to your carpet spot removal and furniture cleaning needs to improve home comfort. To schedule a tile and grout cleaning appointment in Travis County, call (512) 328-2504 to speak with a representative, or visit the company online to learn more about their services.