ceramic tile and grout cleaning...

[beckyritchie04]

Ok, you girls seem to know everything So here is a random question...Do any of you know a really good way to clean the tile and grout in kitchens/bathrooms?

My tile looks awful so I really need to clean it. 2 years ago we had Stanley Steemer come out and they did an awesome job but we just can't afford it right now. So if yall have any products that work wonders or any other tricks of the trade, I would love to hear them.

Oh, the products must be safe for kids and a dog. Thanks ladies

 

[4noisyboys]

ugghhhh...NO

I did a horrible job using Zap on my kitchen counters. It was very uneven when I was done, so I'm afraid to do it again, and I couldn't seal it with it not being perfect.

It was a ton of work too....

Hopefully someone will be able to give you (and me) some great advice!

 

[jessica31876]

checked on google and it says powdered oxygen bleach. (oxyclean??)

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/04/03/AR2009040302977.html

 

[rachaelsscraps]

I have tile in my kitchen and mudroom (and we're installing some in our new 2nd bath this weekend! woohoo!). I use diluted vinegar weekly while mopping and monthly I use some Murphy Oil Soap (works great! but you have to really dilute it)

To clean the nasties out of the grout (I haven't done this in a while since I'm pregnant and it's work to do) I use a rough bathroom/kitchen pan brush and scrub it using vinegar. If you find the grout getting grubby easily, you can always reseal it with commercial sealer. That should keep the dirt from sticking too much...

 

[nikkiARNGwife]

We tried everything and DH finally got some heavy duty stuff from the hardware store..I can't remember the name brand but it was made specifically to clean grout and it worked amazingly well.

 

[beckyritchie04]

I think I am going to try that powdered oxygen stuff and see how that works. Thanks ladies for the help

 

[lizzyfizzy]

i don't know. i have hardwoods these days. good luck with that.

 

[jsikardi]

I use my scunci steamer and a chlorox bleach pen. Makes the ocd-cleaner in my *very* happy.

 

[iJenny]

I've heard those bleach pens work well. Or maybe a magic eraser?

 

[dgreenshield]

I have used a magic eraser but it takes a lot of elbow grease.

 

[Leah]

We have slate tile in our kitchen and while I love the look of it, I hate being the one to clean it. It`s all uneven tiles and then you have the grout to top it off.

I have yet to find something that works great and doesn`t do a number on my knees and my back.

However...I do have a cleaning lady that comes in on weekly basis and she`s been doing my floors, so I`m really loving her! She usually mops the floor, but once a month she`ll do it by hand, otherwise it gets pretty sticky.

 

[DawnMarch]

we have this
Hoover Floormate

and it works great on our ceramic tile. I can't believe the amount of dirt that it picks up.

 

[arenee]

We use our carpet steam cleaner on our tile. It really picks up grime.........it is quite embarrassing how much dirt it picks up....

If we didn't have a steam cleaner, I would be tempted to rent one to clean the tile.

 

[KristinCB]

we have this
Hoover Floormate

and it works great on our ceramic tile. I can't believe the amount of dirt that it picks up.

ohhh i want!!

 

[SamaraGugler]

I second the Hoover Floormate. I love mine.

 

[4noisyboys]

I have heard wonderful things about the Hoover Floormate, but I ended up getting the Shark one...should NOT have, but I did. I guess I could take it back to Costco...with dirty rags and all, but I'll probably end up keeping it.