Use and Care Guide

Standard Deep Cleaning Guidelines
1. Sweep or vacuum loose dirt and dust from the floor. For wall surfaces, tile can be gently wiped down with
a clean, dry cloth or rag.
2. Mix a high concentration cleaner, degreaser, or stripper as needed based on manufacturer’s guidelines for
periodic deep cleaning.
3. Agitate with scrub brush or floor scrub machine.
4. Mop up dirty solution. A wet/dry vac may be used in large areas.
5. Rinse thoroughly with clean water, changing water every 500 sq. ft. or as needed.
6. Drying with a clean cloth or rag as well as a final dry vac extraction is recommended to increase the shine,
prevent water spots and streaks, and to prevent slip accidents in a commercial setting.
Cleaning Grout
There are many grouts on the market today that are stain resistant and do not require a sealer. However, not all
grouts will have these characteristics and special care must be taken to ensure product performance is not
compromised due to exposer to harsh cleaners.
Always Remember:
• Clean tile and stone regularly according to standard cleaning guidelines. Anything safe for the tile will
typically be safe for your grout. PH neutral cleaners are highly recommended. Mopping dirty tiles will
cause muddy water to get stuck in the grout joints, so keeping tiles cleaned regularly will improve the look
of the grout.
• Be careful with acidic foods, drinks and dyes as they may stain certain types of grout.
• Never use cleaners that contain ammonia, acids, or bleach. Some stains may be set so deep in the grout
that bleach may be the only thing to get your grout clean. Bleaching causes the pores of the grout to open
and hold dirt even more. As such, sealing after bleaching is highly recommended.
• Prolonged use of bleach and ammonia based products may cause the grout to become brittle over time
and in wet applications may result in water damage due to cracking and deterioration.
• Sealing grout prevents staining. Sealers are not chemical proof and may break down from continued
exposure to harsh household chemical cleaners.
• It is suggested that a breathable penetrating sealer be applied before and after grouting. This treatment
provides an excellent defense against staining, mold and mildew. Follow the sealing manufacturer’s
guidelines for recommendations on how often a sealer should be reapplied.
• Tend to spills quickly. Sealers do not prevent 100% of damages caused by spills.
• A medium bristle brush can be used to scrub the grout joints
Pre and Post Grout Install Tip:
• Using a grout release or sealer prior to installation is recommended especially for product that is porous or
has a textured surface. Often times grout particles may become trapped and difficult to clean during the
standard grouting process and the use of a rag or sponge may not pull up all the grout haze. Using a grout
release and/or sealer will help prevent this from happening. Also important to note is that grout haze left
on the surface of a tile will become difficult to remove and the chemicals needed to remove it at a later
time may damage the tile or alter its looks. Heavy duty grout haze removers should be used according to
the grout manufacturer’s recommendations before trying more concentrated acid solutions.