| Restroom cleanliness is one of the most common | | | | to dilute chemicals accurately. When you use too |
| complaints cleaning companies receive. When cleaning | | | | much chemical, sealants break down faster. Second, |
| restrooms, keep in mind that they should not only | | | | have adequate ventilation to help prevent the build |
| look clean, but that they should feel and smell clean. | | | | up of odors and speed up drying. Frequent changing |
| An important part in maintaining a high level of | | | | of mop water and mop heads helps to make sure |
| cleanliness is making sure the floor grout is clean. | | | | that contaminants are picked up and not pushed |
| Grout is porous, so over time, moisture, | | | | back into the grout. Consider switching to microfiber |
| contaminants, and even dirty mop water can discolor | | | | mops as they have proven to be the most effective |
| it. These circumstances can lead to staining, odors, | | | | at removing contaminants from floor surfaces.When |
| and aid in the growth of bacteria, mold, and | | | | cleaning, liberally apply chemicals and don't allow the |
| mildew.There are several reasons is it so difficult to | | | | floor to dry before scrubbing. Always allow proper |
| clean floor grout:* Using a cleaner that doesn't float | | | | dwell time, which is typically between 5 and 10 |
| contaminates to the surface.* Using a cleaner that | | | | minutes. The next step is to use the right tool to |
| contains detergents that settle into the grout with | | | | scrub the floor surface. To effectively clean the |
| dirt and oils.* Sealers may have been improperly used | | | | surfaces use floor brushes. After thoroughly |
| in the past. Instead of keeping out dirt and oils, these | | | | scrubbing the floor, remove the excess liquid. A wet |
| may now be trapped in the grout.* Acidic or high pH | | | | vacuum works well as it will pick up the excess |
| cleaners make grout more porous and fragile with | | | | water, dirt, residue and cleaning chemical used on the |
| the result being the grout re-soils faster.* Cleaners | | | | floor.New and innovative equipment can also make |
| used in the past may have left residues that become | | | | cleaning grout faster. High-pressure water systems |
| dirt magnets.Before starting to clean tile and grout it | | | | (up to 1200 psi) can effectively deep clean, loosen, |
| is important to analyze what dirt and contaminants | | | | and remove soil. Some systems also heat the water, |
| you're dealing with. Then based on that information, | | | | which aids in the cleaning process. Grout cleaning |
| select a cleaner designed for cleaning that type of | | | | systems also have auto-feed/auto-dump capabilities |
| soil and is suitable for the flooring being cleaned.Using | | | | so you can use them continuously without stopping. |
| the right cleaner and using it correctly are important | | | | The machines pick up loosened soil and leave no |
| steps to keeping grout clean. To avoid soap scum, | | | | residue. Another option is using cylindrical brush |
| daily cleaners must be salt free. When deep cleaning, | | | | technology. These machines do not use pads like |
| the cleaner needs to be free of high levels of | | | | rotary buffers, but instead use rotating brushes. |
| potassium and sodium salts. The cleaner you use | | | | These brushes penetrate and loosen the dirt in grout |
| must be able to float contamination up as well as | | | | and tile.To keep grout and tile looking their best it is |
| transfer it to the mop so the grout comes clean. | | | | important to train your staff and make sure they |
| Carefully consider the pH of the product you are | | | | continue to follow the proper procedures when |
| using. Acidic based cleaners (low pH) bleach rather | | | | cleaning grout. Having written procedures and |
| than clean and basic cleaners (high pH) tend to be | | | | checklists can help to assure the proper cleaning |
| high in salts. Be cautious about the use of citrus | | | | techniques are always followed.Lack of attention, |
| products. Many of these products leave unwanted | | | | carelessness, and the wrong types of cleaners used |
| residues that make floors feel sticky. It is important | | | | will lead to dirty grout and the entire floor looking dull |
| to use the right chemical as bacteria can get trapped | | | | and dingy. Paying attention and spending a little extra |
| into grout and tile. It may be necessary to use a | | | | time when cleaning grout will keep not only the floor, |
| germicide cleaner, especially around toilets and urinals, | | | | but the entire restroom, looking and smelling |
| to kill bacteria and remove any urine that has dried | | | | clean.Copyright (c) 2006 The Janitorial StoreSteve |
| into the grout or tile.Cleaning grout is often | | | | Hanson is co-founding member of The Janitorial Store |
| labor-intensive at times even requiring scrubbing by | | | | (TM), an online community that offers weekly tips, |
| hand, which may not be practical in a large restroom. | | | | articles, downloads, discussion forums, and more for |
| There are procedures you can follow to help keep | | | | anyone who would like to learn how to start a |
| grout clean. First, use a chemical proportioning system | | | | cleaning business. |