Having clean floors is an essential part of keeping your home healthy. Dirty floors can harbor bacteria that can make you sick and look bad. However, not all products are made the same when cleaning. Using the wrong cleaners on your floors or grout can damage them and even shorten their lives. This article will discuss what happens when you use the wrong cleaners to clean grout or floors and how Silver Olas can help you avoid these problems.
The Importance of Proper Cleaning
Regular cleaning of your floors and grout is essential to preserving their beauty and ensuring they last as long as possible. Over time, dirt and grime can accumulate, resulting in discoloration and even structural damage to the area. Using the incorrect cleaner, on the other hand, can potentially result in more problems than it solves. There are a lot of different cleaning products on the market, many of which include harsh chemicals that might ruin the surface of your floors or grout. In addition, certain cleaners might leave a residue that attracts additional filth and can cause discoloration of the surface they are used.
Harsh Cleaners and Uneven Grout
Grout is vital to any tiled surface because it keeps the tiles in place and water from getting into the structure below. But grout is not always the same height, and if harsh cleaners are used repeatedly, it can fall apart over time. This can cause cracks, holes, and other structural damage, weakening the grout surface. When cleaning grout, it’s important to be careful and not use harsh chemicals or abrasive tools for daily/weekly cleanings, which can cause damage and lead to expensive repairs and replacements in the future. A stronger cleaner can be used for occasional deep cleaning, providing it is safe for your floors.
Uneven Appearance: Waxing Floors’ Pitfalls
Trying to Bring the “luster” or “Shine” back with wax or Orange Glo, re juvinate, or similar products can be tempting when floors seem to lose their shine. But these products are not cleaners and can make things look uneven. Especially wax can build up over time, changing the floors’ color and making them look dull, dirty, and rough. Also, if you use too much wax, it can get slippery and dangerous. The goal is to restore the original factory look, not try to change the intended purpose for tile or porcelain ( stone can be changed with polishing). It’s important to use cleaning products made for that purpose and avoid wax and other substances that can build up. If you’ve already used wax or something similar, you may need to strip the floors to return them to how they looked.
Old Floor Cleaning Methods People Use at Home
Cleaning floors and grout is a tedious task, but it’s necessary. When floors are dirty, bacteria and germs can grow, and grout can change color and look bad over time. But some people use the wrong methods when cleaning their floors and grout. This can make things worse instead of better. Let’s look at some of the wrong ways people try to clean grout and floors and what could happen if they keep doing it.
1. Using Too Much Water
People often make the mistake of using too much water when they clean their floors and grout. Water is an excellent way to clean, but too much of it can cause several problems. First, too much water can seep into the grout and damage it, causing it to crack or crumble over time. Also, if you use too much water, your floors can get soaked, which can also cause damage to the structure.
2. Using Acidic Cleaners
Acidic cleaners like vinegar and lemon juice are often promoted as natural and effective. But they can cause a lot of damage to your floors and grout. Acidic cleaners can eat away at the grout and cause it to break down over time, which could cause problems with the structure. Also, they can change the color of your floors, making them look dirty and unattractive.
3. Using Abrasive Tools
Some people use steel wool or wire brushes, which are rough, to clean their floors and grout. Even though these tools can remove stubborn dirt and grime, they can also do much damage. Scratching and scuffing your floors with rough tools can make them look old and worn. They can also scratch the grout, which makes it more likely to get broken or rot.
4. Using Harsh Chemicals
People also make the mistake of using harsh chemicals to clean their floors and grout. Even though these chemicals might be good at getting rid of dirt and grime, they can also be very bad for you and your surfaces. Harsh chemicals can give off dangerous fumes that can hurt you if you breathe them in. They can also eat away at your grout and damage the structure of your floors.
5. Not Rinsing Thoroughly
Lastly, after cleaning their floors and grout, many people make the mistake of not rinsing them well enough. If you don’t rinse, you might leave a residue that will attract more dirt and grime as time passes. If it’s not stopped, it can also change the color of the wood and even cause structural damage.
Why Do People Use the Wrong Cleaners?
When cleaning their floors and grout, many individuals make the mistake of using the wrong cleansers for various reasons. One possible reason is that they are unaware of the right cleaning procedures or the potential harm from improper product selections. Convenience and cost are two more factors. Individuals may choose items that are less expensive or more easily accessible, although these products may not be the greatest option for the surfaces they have. Last, some people may wrongly feel that using harsh chemicals or abrasive products will produce a more effective clean. These individuals are likely unaware of the possible damage caused by these methods. It is necessary to educate oneself on the proper cleaning methods and to use solutions specifically designed for the type of surface you are cleaning to prevent any unintentional damage.
What Happens When You Use the Wrong Cleaners?
You may immediately observe a few troubles when using the wrong cleaners on your flooring or grout. Among the most frequent issues are:
- Discoloration: Some cleaning solutions can discolor or stain floors or grout. This is especially apparent on lighter surfaces.
- Damage: Certain cleaners include harsh chemicals that might cause structural damage to your floors or grout. This can result in cracking, chipping, or even breakdown.
- Residue: Some cleansers might leave a residue that draws dirt and grime, making your floors or grout worse than before.
- Health Risks: Some cleaning chemicals can emit hazardous vapors if inhaled. This can be especially concerning for individuals with respiratory conditions.
When To Call in the Professional Cleaners
Deep Cleaning is needed periodically with professional cleaning machines and techniques. At Silver Olas, we provide a wide range of cleaning services that are both safe and effective on the many different types of surfaces we serve. Our highly experienced technicians only use eco-friendly and non-toxic cleaning products that are created to clean without causing any damage to the surface being cleaned or leaving any residue behind.
In addition, before making use of any cleaning product, it is essential to read over the product label thoroughly. Look for cleaning products that have been developed, especially for the sort of flooring or grout you have. Avoiding harsh chemicals and abrasive cleaning products as much as possible is essential.
Tips for Cleaning Dirty Floors
Here are a few quick tips on how to clean dirty floors:
- Use the right cleaner for the floor you have.
- First, try out new cleaners in a small area.
- Follow the directions that came with the cleaner.
- Use the right tools to clean.
- After cleaning the floor, give it a good rinse.
- Let the floor dry completely before you walk on it or put furniture back on it.
The Benefits of Professional Cleaning
Although cleaning your floors and grout is feasible, a professional cleaning service such as Silver Olas offers several otherwise unavailable advantages. Even the most difficult-to-remove dirt and grime can be effectively cleaned by our skilled crew, equipped with the knowledge and tools required for the job. In addition, our cleaning products are of the highest quality and are entirely risk-free for your children, spouse, and pets.
In addition to this, having your floors and grout professionally cleaned regularly can assist in extending their longevity. We can assist in preventing structural damage and discoloration if we clean up the dirt and grime accumulated over time. Because of this, you will have less need in the long term for costly repairs or replacements, which will lead to financial savings.
Conclusion
In conclusion, using the wrong cleaners, like home mixed or non-floor specific cleaners on your floors or grout can cause many problems, including discoloration, damage, and health hazards. The cleanser itself can cause these issues. Selecting the appropriate cleaning for your surfaces and reading the product label to avoid the issues above carefully is essential.
A professional cleaning service by Silver Olas Carpet Tile Cleaning can ensure that your floors and grout remain clean and healthy for a significant amount of time. Contact us now to learn more about our eco-friendly and efficient cleaning services.
