Grout cleaning may not be on your radar as a homeowner, but it can make a significant difference in the appearance of your flooring. During a tile installation, grout is used to fill the space in between the tiles. Grout is composed of a mixture of sand, water, and cement. Unfortunately, this mixture is also porous and is a magnet for dirt, grime, and grease. Dirty grout can detract from otherwise beautiful tile flooring. Grout cleaning can get your floors back to new. Here's what to know.
What Options Are Available
There are a few cleaning options to consider if you have dirty grout. First, there are a variety of at-home methods and cleaning products that can be used to spruce up your grout. If you don't mind putting in the elbow grease, at-home options may suit your needs. However, if you have stubborn stains that won't lift, hiring grout cleaning professionals may be your best bet. The professionals use steam cleaners and chemicals to remove dirt and stains from your grout. Grout cleaning done by a professional is usually faster and more effective.
How Much It Costs
If you choose professional grout cleaning services, you'll want to consider the cost. What you pay for grout cleaning depends on the condition of your floors and the size of the area that needs to be cleaned. Also, tile size plays a role. The smaller the tiles, the more grout there is to clean. The type of grout cleaning also impacts the cost. You'll pay less for steam cleaning versus hand cleaning. However, grout staining may require a lot of hand cleaning to remove. Steam cleaning grout costs $0.75 to $3 per square foot. Hand or spot cleaning is usually charged by the hour and ranges from $30 to $40 per hour.
Grout Sealing Can Help
If you want to extend the life of your grout cleaning job, grout sealing can help. Adding a sealant to your grout will prevent the accumulation of dirt and debris. Grout sealant prevents grout staining and will help keep your floors looking good for longer. If you are planning to tackle grout cleaning, you will also want to consider grout sealing. Often professionals offer sealing in their cleaning packages.
There are a few things to know if you have dirty grout that needs to be cleaned. First, there are many grout cleaning options, including at-home methods and professional cleaning treatments. Second, the cost of grout cleaning will vary depending on your floor's condition and how much grout needs to be cleaned. Finally, you will want to consider grout sealing post-grout cleaning.