Seemingly smooth surfaces become scratched and dulled from daily abrasion that in turn creates micro hiding places for dirt, oils, and bacteria. The condition worsens in a short amount of time and creates an unacceptable floor that cannot be cleaned by mop and bucket. When you wax over this ugly surface it only seals in the worn dirty look.
The newer ceramic tile flooring creates a problem on two fronts. First, the tile surfaces are engineered with more texture than ever before making the mop less useful and effective. Secondly, and even more noticeable and problematic, the grout between the tiles has even more texture to trap dirt residue left by mopping.

  

The Grout

The problem is the grout easily absorbs moisture, oils and sugars that in turn attract bacteria, dirt and other solids that change the overall appearance by darkening the grout. Other porous surfaces like brick, Italian quarry- tile, limestone and other engineered flooring all acts like concrete or grout, absorbing liquids, oils and dirt to a point that their appearance also darkens with time.

Chemicals can dilute the grime well enough, but without effective removal the formed slurry only soaks deeper into the grout. Rotary scrubbers fail to reach into the grout lines or the texture of the tiles. Tile and grout is often associated with food halls, restaurants, rest rooms and leisure areas. Dirty tile and grout is not aesthetically pleasing. More importantly it is unhygienic. Bacteria collect in the grout lines along with oils, food matter, sugars and moisture. The final "mop and bucket "of the day worsens the problem further adding more moisture and dirt.

Historically this has been tackled by either labour intensively scrubbing with nail brushes and detergents or accepting that after a number of years lifting and relaying the tile and grout surface. This is clearly:

Very expensive
Lost business while establishment is closed
Disruption to clientele and staff

The Solution

The new approach to this old problem is the use of the right tools.

At Ajanda Cleaning Services, our hard surface cleaning tools have the ability to do more than dilute and suspend the dirt. The combination of hot water, high pressure, industry recommended cleaning solution and powerful vacuum creates a one step cleaning process. First the dirt, bacteria and grime is released from its anchoring position by applying an appropriate cleaning product. The pressurised water seeks out unwanted grime, bacteria and chemical residues hidden in microscopic pockets within the tile and grout. Finally suction removes the dirty water and leaves the tile and grout clean.

Post Cleaning



With your tile and grout there are two options:

Clean only
Clean and seal

The purpose of sealing the grout is to protect the surface from soil and stains. The grout lines are always below the surface of the tile and behave as "sinks" or "gulleys" where soil and water can collect. Each mopping, while improving the appearance of the tile will further soil the grout lines. As the mopping progresses, the water becomes more and more soiled.

The soiled water is deposited in the grout lines where the absorbent, rough surface soaks it up and holds it in (anyone who has ever had light coloured grout knows it can turn jet black very quickly). The purpose of grout sealer is to prevent the grout from absorbing and holding the soil. It will still be deposited on the grout but it will be easier to remove by general cleaning and much less likely to cause a permanent stain or discolouration.