What this covers
Tile and grout cleaning deep cleans floors, showers, backsplashes and counters where the grout lines have darkened with soil, soap film and grease. Grout is porous and holds dirt that mopping only spreads around. The technician identifies the tile, since stone such as marble and travertine needs gentler cleaners than ceramic and porcelain, pre-treats the surface, scrubs the grout lines with brushes or a rotary tool, and rinses and extracts the residue. A clear penetrating sealer or a color sealer on the grout can follow, so it resists stains and is easier to keep clean.
When to call
- Grout lines noticeably darker than when the tile was new.
- Shower tile with soap film or discolored grout.
- Tile floors that look dull or dingy right after mopping.
- Cracked or missing grout found during cleaning, which may need regrouting.
What to expect
- IdentifyThe technician identifies the tile and grout and tests a small area first.
- Pre-treatA cleaner suited to the surface is applied and left to loosen the soil.
- Scrub and rinseThe grout lines are scrubbed and the surface is rinsed and extracted.
- SealA clear or color sealer is applied to the grout if you choose it.
Get a certified company
Look up a certified company by ZIP code. Every company's license, insurance and trades are verified before it is listed, and placement is never paid.
Questions people ask
Why seal grout?
Unsealed grout absorbs spills and soil. A sealer slows that down, so the grout keeps its color longer and cleans more easily.
Is natural stone cleaned the same way?
No. Marble, travertine and limestone can etch with acidic cleaners, so stone is cleaned with stone-safe products and sometimes honed or polished separately.
What if the grout is cracked?
Cleaning does not repair grout. Cracked or missing grout is raked out and replaced, which a tile installer or the cleaning company may do as a separate step.
Related: Carpet cleaning · Ceramic tile flooring · Tile shower installation · House cleaning · All cleaning, demolition and hauling
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