What Is The Best Way to Clean The Grout in My Shower to Keep My Gold Coast Bathroom Clean And Fresh?

14/05/2024
Dan's Plumbing

From the Sunshine Coast down to the Gold Coast, I believe we’ve all experienced the struggle of dealing with stubborn grout stains in our showers. But fret not, as Dan’s Plumbing is here to arm you with some top tips and tricks for getting your grout gleaming and your bathroom smelling like a breath of fresh air.

Contents

The Importance of Professional Grout Cleaning
Perks of Routine Tile Cleaning
Various Tiles and Grouts Cleaned
Steam Cleaning for Tiles and Grout
Grout Sealing in Gold Coast Homes
The Role of Epoxy Grouting
Grout Sealing with Colour
Residential and Commercial Grout Cleaning
Why Opt for Gold Coast Tile Cleaning?
Conclusion

The Importance of Professional Grout Cleaning

Keeping grout consistently clean is more important than you might think. According to a study from the University of Colorado, the average showerhead contains about 100,000 bacteria per square centimeter of biofilm. That’s a lot of nasties lurking in our bathrooms! Professionals bring expertise and special tools that can reach into the tight corners and really dig out those stubborn bacteria.

Professional grout cleaning also has long-term benefits worth considering. The Tile Council of North America reports that well-maintained grout can last up to 15 to 20 years while unattended grout may start deteriorating in less than 5 years. Regular professional cleaning will save you money over time by extending the lifespan of your tiles and avoiding expensive repairs or replacements.

Beyond aesthetics, keeping your bathroom free from mold protects the health of you and your loved ones. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) warns that indoor air can be polluted up to 2-5 times more than outdoor air with mold and mildew from bathroom grout contributing significantly. Hence, professional grout maintenance ensures a healthier living space.

Perks of Routine Tile Cleaning

Cleaning tiles and grout regularly isn’t just about making them look good – although that’s a pretty nice bonus! Aggressive mold and bacterial growth occurs in over 70% of bathrooms due to high humidity and moisture levels, making grout cleaning essential for health reasons too. According to the National Sanitation Foundation (NSF), 50% of household molds are found in bathroom grout, affecting your cleanliness and health.

Moreover, routine tile cleaning can extend the lifespan of your tiles. Just as soil can erode buildings over time, dirt and grime can gradually cause damage to your tiles – especially more delicate materials such as terrazzo or porcelain. By keeping up with regular cleans and upkeep, you can avoid this damage and keep your bathroom looking sparkly for longer.

Here’s another statistic by Harris Interactive that’ll knock your socks off: 72% of Americans are concerned about germs in the bathroom. If you’re part of this percentage, routine tile cleaning will definitely set your mind at ease. Staying on top of routine cleaning tasks also speeds up deep-cleaning days and who doesn’t want to save some time?

Various Tiles and Grouts Cleaned

Not all tiles and grouts are created equal. Materials differ greatly from ceramic, clay, slate, cement, marble to artificial materials and each needs unique care for effective cleaning and longevity.

Ceramic tiles, for instance, are highly resistant to stains due to their vitrification process while clay tiles have high porosity levels which require more careful cleaning routines. As professionals at Dan’s Plumbing, we understand these differences and customize our approach for best results.

The different variations in grout like cement-based grout or epoxy grout also require focused attention during cleaning. With cement grout being more porous, it’s more susceptible to staining compared to epoxy grout that is less porous and durable but tougher on the cleaning end.

Steam Cleaning for Tiles and Grout

The best way to deep clean your tiles and grout and guarantee a germ-free home is steam cleaning. Steam cleaners use high temperatures to kill germs and get rid of tough stains, making your tiled surfaces spotless. These machines are recommended by leading Plumbing pioneers like the Master Plumbers Association of Australia for bacteria-ridden areas such as bathrooms.

Research has shown that these powerful cleaners can wipe out up to 99.9% of common household germs including the likes of nasty E.coli, Salmonella and Staph bacteria. They’re also great at tackling stubborn mold and mildew that are firmly lodged in grout lines.

Their high-temperature steam is amazing at loosening hardened dirt and grime build-up, making it easier for you to scrub away. All that power with just plain H2O! It’s an investment worth considering if you’re keen on high hygiene standards in your home.

Grout Sealing in Gold Coast Homes

To maintain those freshly cleaned tiles and grouts longer, seal them! Sealing creates a protective layer, shielding your grout from water, dirt, stain absorption and helping sustain that fresh clean look for longer.

Sealants come in a variety of types suitable for different tile materials – so whether you’ve got shiny marble tiles or rustic terracotta ones, there’s a sealant for you.

Just remember: adequate ventilation is paramount when using sealants. So make sure the windows are opened wide as you work. Sealing grout is a good practice particularly in places like the Gold Coast where humidity levels are frequently high which can lead to faster grout discoloration and deterioration.

The Role of Epoxy Grouting

Epoxy grouting is your best friend if you want longevity and non-absorbency for your bathroom grout. Made from two different resins mixed with a filler, epoxy grout is highly resistant to water, stains, and most common household chemicals. It’s ideal for areas that are exposed to high humidity and frequent contact with water – such as your shower!

Unlike traditional cement-based grout, epoxy grout doesn’t need sealing, saving you another step in your bathroom maintenance routine. Furthermore, it’s less prone to cracking over time, which can often occur with standard grout – leading to stubborn mold growth within the cracks.

Granted, epoxy grouting is a bit more complex to apply and can cost more upfront but its durability and extended lifespan can pay off in the long run. Especially when considering what we learned from the Tile Council of North America about well-maintained grout lasting up to 15-20 years versus neglected one deteriorating under 5!

Grout Sealing with Colour

If you’ve noticed discolouration over time or if you’re simply looking for a change in your bathroom aesthetic, consider coloured sealers. These water-based products can change the colour of your existing tile grout without the need for re-grouting. Rejuvinate old tiles and give them a new look! But remember – always do a small test area first to ensure that the colour is what you want.

Beyond aesthetic appeal, coloured sealers also provide all the practical benefits of regular sealers. This means you’ll get resistance to water and stain absorption for an extended clean look of your bathroom tiles.

In conclusion, don’t just write off dirty grout as an unavoidable part of having tiled surfaces. With some consistent effort, good know-how on cleaning techniques catered to your specific tiles and use of helpful products like steam cleaners, seals and perhaps even coloured grout sealers, your bathroom can always look as fetching as the day it was installed!

Residential and Commercial Grout Cleaning

Cleaning grout is an essential task to maintain a clean and fresh bathroom. Over 70% of mould and bacteria can develop in a bathroom due to the high humidity and moisture levels, emphasizing the need for regular cleaning. Specifically, a study by the University of Colorado found that the average showerhead contains about 100,000 bacteria per square centimeter of biofilm. Therefore, ignoring grout cleaning can significantly increase health risks.

The most important step to prevent grout from dirt accumulation is to select the right kind of grout according to your specific needs and lifestyle. Different types of tiles such as Porcelain, Terrazzo, Clay, Ceramic, Cement, Slate, Marble require different types of grouts. In addition to this, different cleaning agents are also essential based on the type of stain you want to tackle.

Basic household items like bicarb soda and vinegar or commercial cleaners can be used in home settings. However, steam cleaners are highly recommended for commercial spaces because they can eliminate up to 99.9% of common household germs and bacteria from bathroom surfaces such as E.coli and Staph bacteria.

Neglected grout may start to deteriorate in less than 5 years whereas well-maintained grout can last up to 15 to 20 years according to a report from the Tile Council of North America. Taking care of your tile and grout not only ensures cleanliness but also elongates their lifespan which is cost-effective in the long run.

Why Opt for Gold Coast Tile Cleaning?

The Gold Coast is known for its beautiful beaches; however, sand and other sea minerals could easily be brought into homes and lodged into the grooves between your tiles leading to stubborn stains.

Geographically based factors are critical to consider in maintaining the cleanliness of your bathroom. For instance, the hard Gold Coast water can cause limescale build-up that’s tough to clean out of grout. The unique blend of soil, moisture and air on the Gold Coast can favor the growth of moulds and mildew.

This consequently affects the cleanliness of bathroom grout according to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), where indoor air can be 2 to 5 times more polluted than outdoor air due to mould and mildew in grout lines. A study by the American Society for Microbiology has shown that porous surfaces like grout can harbor bacteria for up to 7 days adding further risks.

However, with professional tile cleaners, you can rest assured they are equipped with professional-grade cleaning agents and tools to tackle all kinds of grime from your tiles and grouts. They are up-to-date with latest technologies keeping your tiles looking sparkling clean longer.

Conclusion

The health and aesthetic benefits of regular grout cleaning cannot be overemphasised. From residential homes to commercial spaces, recognising and addressing unique needs based on location, usage, and materials involved is vital. With appropriate effort towards preventative actions, use of efficient cleaning agents, and possibly engaging professional services for stubborn stains or larger spaces, your bathroom can always sparkle just as brightly as the Gold Coast sun.

About
Latest Posts

Dan's Plumbing

Content Team at Dan's Plumbing

Known for our prompt and reliable services, Dan's Plumbing is one of Australia's leading emergency plumbing services. Across Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne, we strive to offer rapid assistance whenever plumbing issues arise.

Latest posts by Dan's Plumbing (see all)