Is It You, Your Floor Cleaner or Your Floor?

Did you know …20% of stone, tile and groutPlus Gloss Restorer. This material is formulated to
floor restoration work is the result of inappropriateenable a homeowner to polish small areas of etched
"cleaning?" The wives tale that vinegar is a wonderfulstone returning a glossy appearance to the stone. In
grout cleaners is just that: a wives tale. Vinegarsevere cases where one can physically feel the
proves can bleach and give the appearance ofdamage, the shine can be returned, but a
cleaning as it degrades the grout's appearance in itsprofessional stone craftsman will be needed to level
own manner. Grout and many stone surfaces arethe stone for a consistent reflective image.
acid sensitive. Vinegar and many off the shelf tile,What about cleaning my grout? In the case of grout,
grout and floor cleaners tend to be acidic. Acidicvinegar and acidic solutions can dissolve the dyes and
solutions have long been recognized as goodpigments used to color the grout, bleaching the grout
"cleaners." Unfortunately, acidic cleaners can haveover time. On a cement colored or white grout this
negative impact on surfaces. So how should onemay not be noticeable, but on a tan or darker grout
clean these floors, stone, grout and tile? First, lets beyou may be trading a stained appearance for a
clear on our definition of clean. Clean is the absencelighter than normal appearance. Here again a pH
of dirt or oil on the surface. This can be accomplishedneutral cleaner is the safest most effective means of
with a pH neutral stone cleaner. This is a greatcleaning your sealed grout. Failing to seal or to re-seal
product to maintain your floors, however if theyour stone and grout surfaces every few years
damage has already been done we need to lookopens the surface up to stain risks. Once stained the
elsewhere to restore the surface to its originalcost and effort required to correct the problem can
appearance.far exceed the cost of periodic preventative
Have white spots or rings that keep coming backmaintenance.
after you clean them? CaCO3 based stones such asWhat do I do about the grout stains that do not
limestone, marble, travertine, and salturnia to name aclean up? Stains result when a spill or dirty mop
few will etch in the presence of an acid. The acidwater enters the pores of an unsealed grout or tile
dissolves the stone causing microscopic pitts in thecarrying with it the colorants from the spill or liquid.
surface. The pitts show as dull areas or a loss ofTo prevent this or reduce the risk of staining. it is
shine initially, forming white spots if the damage isimportant your stone and grout surfaces be sealed.
more severe. These white spots, rings andThis should be done with a penetrating sealer if you
"waterspots" disappear when cleaned with water,are seeking a solution that will not alter the stone
only to re-appear once the stone has fully dried. Thefinish or color, or a topical sealer if your are seeking
water effectively fills these pits returning a smoothto boost gloss or change grout color. While there are
continuous reflective surface to the stone,many claims to longevity of seals, most seals need
effectively making the damaged areas difficult toto be replenished every 2 years or so. If your
see. Then when the water evaporates theysurface gets a wet look versus beading up when
re-appear.water is spritzed on it, you likely need to reseal your
So what is one to do to get rid of dull areas andsurface. If uncertain or uninterested in doing this
white spots? Light etching and white spots can beyourself most stone maintenance companies can
removed using a polishing compound such as Goldhandle this on your behalf.