Tile & Grout Maintenance Tips
The Do's and Dont's for Proper Tile & Grout Care
Now that your tile, grout and other hard surfaces are sparkling clean and rejuvenated, it's important to know how to properly maintain these areas to ensure their longevity and continued pristine appearance.
Here, we will provide you with essential tips and best practices to keep your tile, grout and natural stone surfaces looking fresh and clean for years to come.
With the right care and attention, you can extend the life of these hard surfaces, preventing dirt, stains, and grime from settling in and preserving their beauty. Let's dive in and discover how you can maintain your newly serviced tile and grout to perfection!
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Cleaning Products & Tools
Properly maintaining your tile and grout requires the proper products and tools to avoid damage to your grout, tile and natural stone. Below is a list of Grout Genie approved products and cleaning tools to make your regular cleaning and maintenance easier.
*Please note that The Grout Genie does not receive any compensation for promoting these products or brands. You may find these items from other retailers or distributors. The Grout Genie has no affiliation with these sellers.
Recommended pH-Neutral Cleaners
Recommended Cleaning Tools
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Maintenance for Showers
Tile and grout in showers tend to collect more build-up since soap and shampoo residue hold onto more debris. Shampoo is acidic and when left to build-up it can permanently discolor and weaken grout, etch natural stone, strip previously applied sealers and affect silicone caulking.
Showers should be cleaned at least every 2 weeks. The drain should be looked over as well as niches, shelves and any area where water can pond or where silicone caulking has been applied.
NEVER use spray and walk away type of products without thoroughly rinsing. These "cleaning" agents leave product build up which is a magnet for dirt, soap scum build up and promote mold / mildew growth.
The Do's
Regularly clean the shower tiles and grout with a pH-neutral cleaner specifically designed for tile and grout. Avoid using acidic or abrasive cleaners as they can damage the tiles and grout.
Follow instructions regarding dilution ratios for your pH-neutral cleaner of choice, if applicable and spray the area to saturate the tile and grout.
Using a soft brush or cloth, gently agitate the tiles and grout to remove soap scum and mildew buildup. Avoid scrubbing silicone caulking as that will damage the bond to the tile.
Thoroughly rinse your tile and grout with hot water, even if the directions on the cleaning product say you don't have to.
Pro Tip! Changing out your stationary shower head to a handheld one will make rinsing your shower walls much easier!
Dry all areas thoroughly using a squeegee, soft cloth or chamois so that there is no standing water.
The Dont's
Avoid using harsh chemicals, bleach, or acidic cleaners on the tiles and grout as they can cause discoloration and damage.
NEVER use spray and walk away type of products without rinsing. These "cleaning" agents leave product build up which is a magnet for dirt, soap scum build up and promote mold / mildew growth.
Do not use abrasive tools or scouring pads on the tiles and grout, as they can scratch the surface, damage grout and silicone caulking and cause irreversible damage to natural stone, glass or other sensitive types of tile.
Avoid leaving standing water on the tiles and grout for extended periods of time, as it can lead to water seepage, mold and mildew growth, damage to grout and certain types of tiles.
Additional Tips
Mold growth is always a major concern for homeowners. Mold is not only unsightly but also unhealthy. Additional ways to aid in prevention of mold and mildew growth include:
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Running your vent fan while showering and for at least 15 minutes after showering.
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After exiting the shower, turn the water to its hottest setting to rinse the walls and shower floor to remove any soapy residue.
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Squeegee shower walls, frames, niches, shelves and around the perimeter of the shower floor, pan or tub surround so water is not left on the surface.
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Leave your shower door open to allow air flow. For smaller bathrooms or homes with high humidity, point a small fan towards the shower to help expedite dry time.
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Regularly seal your grout and tile, if applicable, to help prevent stains from embedding.
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Maintenance for Floors
Maintaining tile and grout floors requires regular cleaning and occasional deep cleaning to keep them looking their best. Here are some steps you can follow to properly maintain tile and grout floors:
Tiled floors should be cleaned at least once a week.
NEVER use spray and walk away type of products without rinsing. These "cleaning" agents leave product build up which is a magnet for dirt, soap scum build up and promote mold / mildew growth.
The Do's
Sweep or vacuum the tile floors regularly to remove dirt and debris that can scratch the surface of the tiles and grout.
Follow instructions regarding dilution ratios for your pH-neutral cleaner of choice, if applicable, and apply to the area. Use 2 mop buckets, one with your cleaning solution and one with clean water for rinsing.
Use a mop or a microfiber cloth to clean the tile floors, and avoid using excess water that can seep into the grout lines and cause damage. Make sure to change your clean water bucket frequently so you rinse only with clean water.
Ensure that all cleaning product is thoroughly removed with clean water.
Allow your floor to air dry before walking on it again.
Pro Tip! Instead of mopping use a hard surface extractor.
While mopping can remove some surface-level dirt and grime, it has several limitations that can make it less effective than a cleaning extractor. A hard surface extractor is more efficient because it uses a combination of cleaning solution, agitation, and suction to remove dirt and debris from your tiled floor. This method is more efficient because it does not rely on manual effort and removes more dirt and bacteria from the floor. Additionally, because the dirty water is suctioned up into a separate tank, the floor is left much drier.
The Dont's
Avoid using harsh chemicals, bleach, or acidic cleaners on the tiles and grout as they can cause discoloration and damage.
Do not use abrasive tools or scouring pads on the tiles and grout, as they can scratch the surface, damage grout and silicone caulking and cause irreversible damage to natural stone, glass or other sensitive types of tile.
Avoid leaving standing water on the tiles and grout for extended periods of time, as it can lead to water seepage, which can damage to grout, subfloor and certain types of tiles.
Additional Tips
Grout discoloration affects many homeowners and with proper maintenance can be mitigated. Additional ways to aid in prevention of grout discoloration for your floors include:
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Removing your shoes before entering the home.
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Wiping your pets paws before entering the home after being outside.
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Quickly wiping up spills, especially from colas, red wine, soy sauce, tomato sauce or any other food / beverage that can easily stain.
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Weekly cleaning of your tile and grout.
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Regularly seal your grout and tile, if applicable to help prevent from stains embedding.
Maintenance for Backsplashes
The kitchen backsplash is one of the most visible and eye-catching elements of your kitchen, and a clean and well-maintained backsplash adds to the overall aesthetic appeal of your kitchen.
With regular maintenance of your kitchen backsplash this will help extend its lifespan and prevent damage to the tile and grout and ensure that your backsplash will remain beautiful for years to come.
The Do's
Clean your backsplash regularly using a pH-neutral cleaning solution, warm water, and a soft cloth or sponge.
Wipe up cooking splatters immediately to prevent them from staining the tiles or grout, especially from red wine, soy sauce, tomato sauce and cooking oils.
Dry all areas thoroughly using a squeegee, soft cloth or chamois.
Regularly seal your grout and tile, if applicable to protect the area from staining.
The Dont's
Avoid using harsh chemicals, bleach, or acidic cleaners on the tiles and grout as they can cause discoloration and damage.
Do not use abrasive tools or scouring pads on the tiles and grout, as they can scratch the surface, damage grout and silicone caulking and cause irreversible damage to natural stone, glass or other sensitive types of tile.
Don't leave spills or stains unattended for too long, as they can set into the tiles or grout and become difficult to remove.
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Maintenance for Countertops
Stone countertops are beautiful and durable, but they require proper maintenance to keep them looking their best.
With regular care you can help ensure that your stone countertop remains beautiful and functional for years to come.
The Do's
Clean up spills immediately to prevent staining.
Remove any loose debris or food particles from the surface of the counter with a dry cloth or paper towel.
Use a damp cloth or sponge to wipe down the entire surface of the counter, making sure to clean any spills, stains or sticky spots.
Apply a pH-neutral cleaner specifically designed for stone countertops. Spray or wipe the counters following the manufacturer's directions.
Rinse the counter thoroughly with clean water to remove any remaining cleaning solution.
Dry the counter with a clean towel or allow to air dry.
Use a cutting board when cutting food to avoid scratching the countertop.
Use trivets or hot pads when placing hot items on the countertop to avoid thermal shock.
Seal the countertop regularly as per manufacturer's instructions.
The Dont's
Use acidic or abrasive cleaners, such as vinegar, lemon juice, or ammonia, as they can damage the countertop.
Use harsh chemicals like bleach, oven cleaners, or abrasive powders on the countertop.
Place heavy or sharp objects on the countertop as it may crack or chip.
Use the countertop as a workbench or cutting board.
Sit or stand on the countertop as it may break or damage.
Use acidic or alcoholic products, such as wine or citrus fruits, without wiping them up immediately, as they can etch or stain the surface.
