Showing posts with label tile floors Madison Wisconsin. Show all posts
Showing posts with label tile floors Madison Wisconsin. Show all posts

Thursday, June 4, 2015

12 Grout Cleaning Tips and Solutions

Tile, whether on the floor or as a backsplash, can add beauty to your home. However, keeping that grout clean can sometimes be tricky. With the right cleaner and a little scrubbing though, you can get it looking fresh and new. While bathroom grout is typically affected by mold and mildew, kitchen grout could be subject to a combination of food stains, general household traffic and grime, and mildew. No matter what the cause of your dirty grout, start with a simple solution and only move up to the harsher chemicals if you're having trouble getting it clean. Floors for Less brings you a few grout cleaning tips along with some ideas of solutions to use!

Grout Cleaning Tips

  1. Start by just using warm water, this will remove any loose surface debris. Allow it to dry before proceeding with cleaners. 
  2. Never use bleach on colored grout, as it can become discolored. 
  3. Use a stiff brush for scrubbing the grout. While old toothbrushes are too soft, metal bristles can wear away the grout, so find a happy medium. 
  4. When using any chemicals to clean, make sure the room is well ventilated. 
  5. Use gloves and protective eye wear when working with any chemical-based cleaners. 
  6. Test your grout cleaning method in an inconspicuous spot first to make sure it will not erode or damage the grout. 
  7. Never mix cleaners together because chemical reactions can cause noxious fumes or burns if the mixture touches the skin. 

Grout Cleaning Solutions

  1. Simple Household Solutions - Use vinegar diluted with an equal amount of water, or make a paste of baking soda and a bit of water to clean the grout with. 
  2. Generic Household Cleaners - Mr. Clean, Lysol, or powder-based cleaners can also work on tile grout.
  3. Steam Cleaning - If you own or have access to a steam cleaner, try using it on your grout. The pressure of the steam cleaner can loosen debris and stains that cleaners can't dissolve.
  4. Commercial Cleaners - Try to find a cleaner that is pH balanced so that the chemicals in the product won't erode the grout with continued use. To get the best result from a commercial cleaner, spray it on and let it sit for a few minutes before scrubbing.
  5. Bleach - For heavy duty stains, use even stronger products such as oxygen bleach powder, hydrogen peroxide, or chlorine bleach. These products should be well diluted before use. Be sure to read labels carefully and follow directions to the letter.

By following these tips above, you'll have your Madison tile floors and backsplashes looking as good as new in no time! However, if you're looking for some new flooring, stop by the showroom of our Wisconsin flooring company. We have many different tile, laminate, wood and carpet options to fit your individual needs!

For all your flooring needs, contact the BEST flooring company in Madison, WI! 


1017 Applegate Rd., Suite 200
Madison, WI 53713
Phone: 608-442-1200

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Tuesday, March 31, 2015

Simple Ways to Clean Your Tile and Grout

Tile flooring, especially the grout part, can be extremely hard to keep clean. Even after sweeping, crumbs and dirt can be left behind. A simple wipe of a tiled surface can sometimes miss spots because the grout lines are often slightly deeper than the surface. Floors for Less wants to share these tile cleaning tips from Better Home and Gardens with you to help keep your tile floors looking great!

Tile Cleaning Basics


Too keep your Madison tile floors looking beautiful, regular cleaning is required. Start by sweeping or vacuuming your glazed tile floors regularly to keep them from getting dull. While tile may be resistant to dirt, sand and grit can dull the surface. Once you swept away any small particles, clean the tile with mild detergent and clean water. Be sure to use a rag or chamois-type mop rather than a sponge mop. Sponge mops push dirty water into grout lines and makes them harder to clean. Also make sure to change the water frequently because dirty water will make the floor look cloudy.


If a basic cleaning doesn't do the trick, here are couple more tips for making your tile floors in Madison, Wisconsin look great!

1. Removing Residue - If your tiles look hazy, they may have some type of residue on them. You can easily remove the film with a nonabrasive all-purpose cleaner. If needed, you could try a mild acid, such as fresh lemon juice, on ceramic tile. However, never use anything acidic on marble tile. Be sure to rinse the tile thoroughly with clean water and then buff dry with a clean, lint-free cloth.

2. Great Looking Grout - The real secret to having a great looking tile floor is keeping the grout clean as well. A simple sweep and mop of the tile doesn't take care of the grout. Grout is porous and absorbs grease and other stains. Below are some grout cleaning tips for you to try!

Cleaning the Grout


Grout lines are magnets when it comes to attracting dirt and grime. Dingy grout can detract from the beauty of your tile. Often times, you can clean your grout with common household products. This video shows a couple of these methods.

If your grout is stained to where these products don't get the job done, try one of the other methods listed below:

1. New Tile and Grout - If you have just purchased new tile and grout, now is the time to start cleaning it. Some preventative maintenance can help you avoid the methods described above. Keep your new grout looking its best by using a grout sealer 10-14 days after the grout cures.
2. Lightly Stained Grout - If your grout is not just dirty but is actually stained, use a strong bleach solution. Use 3/4 cup of bleach to 1 gallon of water. Scrub this solution with a small brush or toothbrush. Don't scrub too hard because it is possible to damage the grout. Wear safety goggles to prevent the bleach from spattering in your eyes and keep the area well ventilated. If you don't want to use bleach, try a foaming grout cleaner. If you go this route, you may need to soak the area for several minutes for it to be effective.

3. Deeply Stained Grout - Many professional carpet cleaning services can also clean tile and grout. If the home remedies or store bought grout products don't get rid of the stains, consider this option. If that still doesn't work, it is probably time to replace the grout. You can purchase a special tool for removing grout. Once you've removed the grout, clean the space between the tiles with a strong bleach solution. Now you are ready to apply new grout and re-seal it. Be careful to not spill bleach on porcelain because the solution might cause pitting, or yellow or pink stains.

Floors for Less is here to help you with all your flooring needs! Whether you're looking for cleaning tips, flooring trends or are interested in purchasing brand new flooring, our Madison, Wisconsin flooring company is here to serve you. Stop by our showroom and talk to one of our flooring professionals today!

For all your flooring needs, contact the BEST flooring company in Madison, WI! 


1017 Applegate Rd., Suite 200
Madison, WI 53713
Phone: 608-442-1200


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Tuesday, March 10, 2015

Choosing the Right Floor for Your Lifestyle

When it comes to flooring options in Madison, Wisconsin, your choices are endless. Flooring plays a major role in not only the look, but also the feel and functionality of your home. From hardwood to tile to carpet, you should explore all types of flooring surfaces to best fit your lifestyle and budget. Here are a few things from HGTV to consider when choosing your Madison flooring:

1. Know Your Style. 


Your flooring choice is about balancing your needs with your style. What colors and patterns do you like? Since the floor is usually the largest surface in the room, it lays the foundation for the entire look of the space, from color to style, texture to pattern. Think about which textures appeal to you, the rich grain of a nice hardwood or the fluffiness of a soft carpet. You should also take into account the current decor, unless you plan on redecorating with the addition of the new flooring.

2. Consider Your Lifestyle. 


Think about the use of the room your adding new flooring to. If you're an avid cooking that stands on the kitchen floor all day, tile can get very uncomfortable when standing on it for long periods of time. If your remodeling the bathroom however, tile stands up well to water. Your floor will need to be able to stand up to the wear and tear from your family, while also accommodating your activities.

3. Crunch the Numbers. 


Along with your lifestyle comes a budget. In order for your lifestyle to stay the same while undergoing this large investment, you need to consider a budget and sticks to it. Keep in mind that in addition to the cost of the floor materials, you will need to include the cost of underlayment, delivery and installation. You should also consider the cost of removal and disposal of your previous flooring.

A new floor can be a big investment, so you'll want something you like and that will last for years. At Floors for Less, we have all types of flooring to fit your needs, from engineered hardwoods to tile and carpet. Stop by our Wisconsin flooring showroom or give us a call at 608-442-1200 today to start your search!

For all your flooring needs, contact the BEST flooring company in Madison, WI! 


1017 Applegate Rd., Suite 200
Madison, WI 53713
Phone: 608-442-1200


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