Remove Stains from Tile Grouts & Keep Your Clients Happy

There are more and more house owners that hire maid services or private cleaning crews to make sure that their homes are immaculate. Some of these houses may be new, in which case the cleaning crew will not have any problems cleaning it up, especially the kitchen and bathroom areas and tiles. However, to make sure that your client is happy, you might want to consider preventive measure on dirtying up the grout.

Grout-stain prevention:

1. All newly installed tile and grout are subject to gathering dust and dirt very soon. One way to prevent so much dirt is to make sure that floor mats are available in all entrances leading to it.

2. A good addition to your cleaning tools would be a high quality dust mop.

3. You can also recommend grout sealers to your clients, as this would make the grout more stain and dirt resistant.

4. Grout and tile stains can also be products of stagnant water that encourages the growth of mildew and fungi. If the client’s bath area or kitchen seems to be not so well-ventilated, encourage your customer to open some windows. Ventilation appears to curb the forming of mold and mildew.

5. If this client hires you regularly (about twice or thrice a week) you can get the grout and tiles sparkling by mopping it with just a capful of dish detergent mixed in a gallon of warm water.

If the house you are cleaning is already a bit aged and not as decidingly clean as the homeowners want it to be, then you might have to fight the grout stains tooth and nail.

Grout-stain removal:

1. Try an all purpose cleaner and a nylon scrubbing pad for grout stains. You may also try looking for a narrow, specialized grout brush. Make sure that the tile material can take the scrubbing and would not be damaged at all. Scrubbing is good for removing lime deposits and built-up calcium in the grout.

2. If scrubbing is not effective, you may look for acid-based cleaning solutions that dissolve dirt and stain. Before you use any of the cleaning agents, always read and follow the instructions carefully.

3. Some cleaning agents may contain harsh abrasives that can scratch and damage tiles, so try to steer clear of these things so you wouldn’t end up with gleaming grouts and scratched up floors.

If the grout is already cracked up or damaged beyond repair, you might want to recommend this to your cleaning service’s clients:

1. Remove and replace the grout. This is not an easy or short task and the clients might cringe from the cost. Nevertheless, you have to inform your clients that no matter how much you scrub the grout, the dirt will just keep on coming back since damaged grout has a lot more room for dust, debris, and mildew. This way, you will protect your cleaning reputation and keep your clients informed as well.

For more: How to start a cleaning business by StartingCleaningService.com