Whether you have brand new tile and stone or if you’ve had it for a while, protection from staining is extremely important. Left unprotected, your beautiful new floor can be turned into a nightmare in as little as 3 months and your older floor will be extremely hard to clean. If you’ve ever tried to “clean” your grout, you know how time consuming and labor intensive it is as a homeowner to get it to look good again. Many people have confessed to spending days on their floor with toothbrushes only to have it look like they never cleaned it several months later. Not only is that discouraging and frustrating but it’s completely unnecessary if the floor has been properly sealed and the homeowner knows the right way to clean tile & grout. The first thing you need to know about your floor, old or new, is if it’s protected now. With older floors you may think you’re in the clear because you sealed it when it was new, but protection can wear away and some cleaners will strip sealer (such as ammonia, bleach, vinegar, strong degreasers, and sometimes even dish detergent). Do you have a newer floor? Did you know that most installers DO NOT seal the floors they install? If you just “assume” the sealing was done, then you could be in for a world of hurt down the road when you have permanent stains in your grout or stone. So how do you know if your grout or stone is sealed and protected? This simple test will tell you if your floor or counter is protected from permanent staining.
Step 1 – Find a clean area of grout or stone to test.
Step 2 – Pour a few tablespoons of water on your grout or stone.
Step 3 – Allow 15 minutes to see if the water penetrates.
Step 4 – Wipe up excess water with a dry towel.
Did the grout get darker? Did the water sink in?
If Yes, your floor has little or no protection from permanent water based stains.
If No, Your floor may be protected from water based stains but what about oil? Repeat test with alcohol or cooking oil in an inconspicuous area.
If you have any questions about grout or stone sealing or are looking for tile & stone cleaner in Longmeadow, Wilbraham, Hampden, Monson, Amherst, or surrounding areas in Massachusetts, please feel free to visit our website www.likenewfloors.com for more information.
