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Monthly Archives

August 2017

Signs It’s Time for Tile and Grout Cleaning

By Tile and Grout, Uncategorized

Tile and Grout CleaningYour tiled areas see their fair share of foot traffic and other forms of wear and tear. Whether it’s spilled food in the kitchen or dirty feet in the bathroom, tiled areas can quickly become soiled. However, since grout lines are often narrow and it can be difficult to notice discoloration. It’s a good idea to know some tips for deciding when it’s time to clean tile and grout.

Try a Test Cleaning

If you think your tile and grout are in need of a good scrubbing, start by cleaning a small test area. Over time, floor tiles will lose their luster and grout will darken thanks to repeated foot traffic and the accumulation of dirt, dust, and other debris. Choose a spot to clean and then compare the finished result to the surrounding area. If the difference is very notable, it’s time to clean the tiles and grout.

Professional Sealing

When you installed your tile and grout (or paid a professional to install them), you hopefully used a reliable sealing agent to protect the grout. If not, the grout will likely discolor and fall into disrepair before the surrounding tiles. It’s imperative to properly seal grout and tile to avoid water damage in and between your tiles and other surfaces.

DIY Tile & Grout Cleaning

Some grout and tile cleaning jobs can be done on your own. All you’ll need is a cleaning solution, a scrubbing brush, and patience. You’ll need to saturate the grout lines and work in small areas to fully lift all of the dirt and debris out of your grout lines. However, while you can certainly handle cleaning grout and tile on your own, you may find better results if you hire a professional.

Perks to Professional Cleaners

A professional cleaner will more than likely have better, more effective, cleaning supplies than you have stashed under the sink. Cleaning grout and tile is intense labor, so the expense of hiring a professional cleaner may be easy to justify considering the time and stress you’ll save yourself.

If you’re considering professional cleaning, take the time to research your options. Look for before and after photos of their past cleaning work and see what kind of quote they can provide for your grout and tile cleaning job.

Ultimately, cleaning grout and tile is a pain, but you can handle it on your own with a bit of elbow grease and patience. However, tough jobs certainly require a professional’s attention, and Professional Surface Restoration is ready to help.

Professional Surface Restoration specializes in hard surface cleaning. Why waste time on methods that don’t get your hard surfaces clean? Contact us for a free consultation today.

3 Ways Cleaning Tools Can Make All the Difference

By Cleaning Tools, Uncategorized

cleaning toolsCleaning equipment technology has come a long way in recent years. The right cleaning tools can make all the difference in the results. Here’s how Professional Surface Restoration uses the best cleaning tools for an incredibly deep level of clean.

The Best Cleaning Tools Penetrate to Remove Stains

When we clean, we start with a pre-treatment to loosen deep stains. Our high-tech TMT Surface Cleaner is designed for indoor hard surfaces such as tile and grout, natural stone, and granite. Upright models power through the toughest stains on floors and brick. Handheld edging tools clean fireplaces, back splashes, and the hardest-to-reach areas. We use high-pressure water and over 200 degrees of heat to restore hard surfaces to their natural beauty.

TMT Surface Cleaners Remove Grout Stains

Over time, all grout becomes stained. It’s made from cement that was poured into the joints between your tile. Concrete is porous, so it absorbs anything it touches. If the grout is in your kitchen, spills and food particles cause discoloration. In the bathroom, mildew grows on damp grout and tile. If your home has hard water, mineral deposits and soap scum might accumulate on grout.

You may have tried to scrub your discolored grout with smelly cleaning solutions and lots of elbow grease, only to find it still looked stained. It’s frustrating to put in all that work and not see results.

Professional Surface Restoration restores tile and grout to its original condition using TMT Surface Cleaners, and then we seal it to prevent future stains.

Our specialized cleaning equipment uses heat and high pressure to remove stains from grout and tile. First, we spray your floors with a tile-safe alkaline detergent. Then we scrub your entire floor with pressurized hot water. Last, we apply a sealer that protects your floors without changing their appearance.

Our Cleaners Safely Restore Stone

Granite, marble, travertine, and other types of natural stone can start to look worn over time. The textures and irregularities that make them so beautiful often catch dirt and debris. Commercial cleaning solutions can damage stone. Professional Surface Restoration uses TMT tools to make them look new again.

Our stone cleaning experts take the following steps to restore your stone to like-new condition. They:

  • Inspect your stone to identify problem areas and specific needs.
  • Consider foot traffic and level of discoloration present.
  • Protect furniture and wood trim around stone floors prior to cleaning.
  • Apply our advanced cleaning products and scrub by hand or with our high-tech tools.
  • Remove dirt and debris with hot-water extraction.
  • Use water and diamond abrasives to restore sheen.
  • Apply a high-gloss shine to remove light scratches and scuffs.

Professional Surface Restoration specializes in hard surface cleaning. Why waste time on methods that don’t get your hard surfaces clean? Contact us for a free consultation today.

3 Reasons to Regularly Clean Upholstery

By Upholstery Cleaning

clean upholsteryYou love your furniture and after such a big purchase, you want to safeguard your investment. You may have some questions, like:

  • What’s the best way to protect your furniture?
  • How often does upholstery need to be cleaned?
  • Are there benefits to regular cleanings?

Here’s why having your upholstery cleaned is good for your family, your investment, and your health.

Protect Upholstery Appearance

Your furniture experiences regular wear and tear. Even in the most meticulously maintained homes, over time, upholstery starts to look worn. It happens so gradually you may not notice. Regular cleaning prevents buildup from dust and everyday traffic. Homeowners are often amazed after a cleaning to see the dramatic difference.

Protect Your Family’s Health

Bacteria, dirt, and dust mites love soft surfaces. When you sit on your furniture, you shed hair and dead skin cells. Your pets shed hair. Fabric absorbs odors. Moisture from spilled beverages and sweat provides a place for bacteria to breed. All these elements irritate allergies and keep your home from smelling fresh.

Your Upholstery Needs Special Care

You read the labels on your clothes to decide what can be washed and what needs to be professionally cleaned. Do the same with your upholstered furniture. Find the tag or look it up on the manufacturer’s website to make sure you’re cleaning it the right way. Here are some common cleaning codes and what they mean.

  • W – This stands for water, meaning it’s okay to clean small spots and stains with water-based cleaning products. Always test on an inconspicuous area first.
  • S – Only clean upholstery marked with an S using solvents that are water-free. If you use water, you might get a water ring or cause dyes to run and fade.
  • WS or SW – You can use either water-based products or solvents on upholstery with this code, but you might damage the fabric. Test a small hidden area first or opt for professional cleaning.
  • X – Always have these fabrics professionally cleaned, even on small spots.

The best way to make sure your upholstery receives the best care is to hire a professional. Professional upholstery cleaners recommend upholstery be cleaned every 6-12 months, depending on use. Professional cleaning improves durability, removes allergens, and makes your home smell fresh.

Call us today at (419) 705-8693 to request a FREE demo.