Many full-service carpet cleaners also offer tile and grout cleaning, as the equipment and solutions overlap. For floor cleaning professionals, adding tile and grout cleaning to their services is an excellent way to grow their business.
DryMaster Systems provides everything you need, whether you’re new to the industry or looking to expand. With our complete package of tile and grout cleaning tools, training, and ongoing support, you’ll be ready to offer premium tile and grout cleaning services that keep clients coming back.
Why Commercial Tile and Grout Cleaning is Essential for Your Clients
Businesses and commercial spaces often feature larger floor areas, with tile being a popular choice for its durability, water resistance, and ease of upkeep. However, even tile floors need regular maintenance, especially in high-traffic areas or spaces exposed to spills and debris. Even with regular standard cleaning, contaminants may eventually discolor tiles, leave stubborn stains, and penetrate grout.
Professional tile and grout cleaning services provide the deep treatment that daily cleaning can’t. These services restore the tile floor’s original shine and keep the grout clean and contaminant-free, increasing its lifespan and improving the commercial space’s overall cleanliness.
Key Benefits of Professional Tile and Grout Cleaning Services
Commercial spaces that invest in regular, professional tile and grout cleaning experience a range of benefits, including:
- Restoring the tile’s original luster: Professional tile cleaning solutions remove accumulated dirt, grime, grease, and other surface contaminants that standard cleaning agents can’t handle. They restore the floor’s original shine, creating a fresh and welcoming appearance for staff and guests.
- Protecting the grout: Grout cleaning solutions reach deep into the porous material to remove embedded dirt and grime, restoring its original color. Applying a sealant afterward helps protect against future stains, chipping, and damage.
- Promoting a more hygienic environment: In high-traffic areas, bacteria, mold, and mildew can grow in the grout or under the tiles, risking employee and visitor health. Professional-quality cleaning machines can sanitize commercial tiled floors, preventing these pollutants from growing and spreading pathogens and promoting a safer work environment.
How Often Should You Clean Tiles and Grout in Commercial Properties?
On average, a commercial tile floor needs professional cleaning at least twice a year. Each commercial space has unique needs based on its industry and foot traffic. You may want to recommend more frequent cleaning services for clients in the following sectors:
- Restaurants, bars, cafés, and other food service industry businesses with frequent spills
- Retail stores, malls, and other commercial areas with regular heavy traffic
- Hospitals, clinics, healthcare facilities, and other spaces with stringent hygienic requirements
It’s also a good idea to suggest your services to businesses showing signs of potential grout contamination, such as:
- Darker or discolored grout
- Stains or spots in the grout that don’t go away with regular cleaning tools
- Grout that feels rougher than usual to the touch
- Unpleasant odors coming from the grout
- Evidence of mold and mildew growing inside the grout or under the tiles, like dark spots, a musty odor, or loose tiles
Proven Tile and Grout Cleaning Techniques Used by Professionals
You’ll need the right tools and techniques to offer commercial tile and grout cleaning services at a professional level. Here are the top cleaning solutions for tile floors used by industry professionals.
Oxygen Bleach Powder for Stain Removal and Disinfection
Oxygen bleach powder is an efficient, all-purpose powder cleaner for removing stains and disinfecting most commercial floors, including tile and grout. Powders formulated for tile and grout surfaces are specifically designed to remove dirt, spills, stains, and moisture without damaging or discoloring tile floors.
After wearing personal protective equipment (PPE) like a mask, goggles, and gloves, follow these steps to use this product:
- Prep the surface by thoroughly cleaning it of any loose dirt and debris.
- Mix powder cleaner and warm water in a bucket. You’ll need one tablespoon of powder cleaner per cup of water or about 16 tbsp per gallon.
- Apply the solution evenly on all grout lines with a mop or grout brush.
- Let the solution sit for 15 to 30 minutes, allowing it to penetrate the grout’s surface and remove dirt, stains, and bacteria.
- Rinse the surface with clean water and a mop or a wet vac. Then, dry it with a dry mop.
Pressure Washing: A Chemical-Free Approach
If you want to offer an eco-friendly grout and tile floor cleaning solution, consider pressure-washing tools such as high-low pressure spray guns.
High-pressure water jets effectively break up dirt, grime, and contaminants from both tile surfaces and grout lines without relying on chemicals.
Pressure washing is also ideal for covering large areas quickly, making it an excellent option for businesses that prioritize minimizing downtime, such as healthcare facilities or large retail spaces.
Machine Scrubbers for Large-Scale Jobs
Machine scrubbers are motorized tools with rotating brushes or cleaning pads. They are among the best solutions for cleaning tile floors and grout lines. Adding one to your toolkit allows you to efficiently service large spaces with extensive tiled areas, such as malls, warehouses, and airports.
These scrubbers offer deep-cleaning power with motorized brushes that ensure consistent, uniform results, even on uneven surfaces. Their ergonomic design reduces operator fatigue, enabling you to cover large areas without the strain of manual scrubbing or mopping.
Pair your machine scrubber with surface-specific cleaning solutions and brushes for maximum efficiency. For instance, if your client’s floor uses marble tiles, use a specially formulated marble & stone cleaner and soft, non-abrasive pads instead of brushes to prevent streaking or scratching.
Expert Tips to Keep Tiles and Grout Cleaner for Longer
With these top tips, you can ensure your cleaning work lasts longer and keep your clients’ tile floors and grout looking their best.
- Apply grout sealant: After cleaning and drying your client’s floor, spray grout sealant on the grout lines to give them a protective layer. This keeps moisture and contaminants out for months, ensuring the grout lines look fresh and grime-free.
- Treat tiles with polish: Afterward, apply floor polish to give the tiles’ surface their own protective layer. Floor polish also has the added benefit of creating a pleasant, glossy surface that reflects light easily. It’s a great way to restore faded tiles back to life, making them shine while repelling dirt and grime.
- Give maintenance tips: After completing a deep-cleaning job, consider giving your client tips on how to maintain their tiles and grout between professional cleaning services. For example, you may recommend mopping floors using mild, pH-neutral cleaning products to avoid damaging grout and sealant.
Become a DryMaster Systems Affiliate
Are you considering becoming a full-service carpet, tile, and grout cleaning professional? Join the DryMaster Systems Affiliate Program today.
With DryMaster Systems, you can be your own boss while receiving the latest industry knowledge and professional-grade equipment. Starting a business with us also gives you the DryMaster advantage: comprehensive training and certification programs so you can run a successful business from day one.
Contact us today to receive your free 30-page business guide and build your own full-service floor cleaning business.
FAQs
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What is the best cleaning solution for ceramic tile floors?
Advanced powder cleaners formulated specifically for tile and grout are the best choice to clean ceramic tile floors. They contain cleaning agents capable of breaking down and dissolving soils, stains, grease, and other grime without damaging the underlying tile surface.
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How often should commercial grout be cleaned?
We recommend cleaning grout and refreshing sealant in commercial floors and spaces at least twice a year. If your client operates a high-traffic business or commercial space, it may require more frequent grout cleaning and re-sealing.
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Can pressure washing damage grout?
If you use the right technique, pressure washing won’t damage your client’s grout lines. As long as you keep the pressure under 1,200 PSI and hold the nozzle at a 45° angle to the surface, the water jet will deep-clean grout without breaking or dislodging it.
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What equipment do I need to start a tile and grout cleaning business?
To provide quality professional-grade service, you’ll need the following gear: machine scrubbers, high-low pressure washers, rotary floor scrubbers, wet/dry vacuums, grout brushes, grout sealant, and appropriate cleaning pads, brushes, and solutions for each surface.
