The kitchen and bathroom are typically two of the dirtiest rooms
in the house. They get the most use and let’s face it, kids never pay
attention to what they’re doing. This can cause your tile and grout to get
dirty faster than you can clean. But if you’re proactive and take these tips
seriously, you can make sure your tile and grout look great and last for
years.
Keep your floors DRY
Moisture is
the enemy of grout and tiles. If you spill any liquid, it can attract dirt
and also soak into your floor. Even if you just drop an ice cube, be sure to
clean and dry the area immediately. If you do a wet mop, be sure to do a dry
mop after!
Use Mats
High traffic areas
get dirtier and receive more wear and tear than others. If you have tile in
your entryway, add a small mat or rug just behind the door. It also helps to
have one by your sink to absorb any splashes from doing the
dishes.
Vacuum
A quick once over with
your vacuum is the best way to get loose dust and dirt off your tile floors
and out of the cracks. If you vacuum frequently, you’ll get the dirt before
it gets ground into the tile by people walking over them.
Use
a cleaning solution and stiff bristle brush
At least once
a month you should take a heavy duty cleaning solution and stiff bristle
brush to your grout. This will help keep it looking fresh and save you the
trouble of scrubbing for hours once a year.
Seal your
grout
Grout is a porous material, meaning it will absorb
spills and dirt. A good grout sealant can prevent this from happening by
forming a protective layer over top.
Always rinse with
water
If you use a cleaning solution, or wipe up a spill,
or mop, be sure to use a damp cloth to get any extra residue off of your
floor, otherwise it will sink right in!
