Tile and Grout 101: Back to Basics

Tile looks amazing in our homes, and oftentimes the grout compliments its tile quite well! But too often, discoloration occurs and ruins the beautiful look of our tile flooring. So what are the basic rules to keeping tile and grout clean? Well, let’s take a look. Some clean methods require a lot of elbow grease, but others, like steam cleaning, are nearly effortless. 

Sweeping and Mopping

Grout is porous in nature, so it absorbs spills and accidents quickly, as well as dirt and other grime. For this reason, regular sweeping and mopping is necessary to keeping tile clean and free of discoloration. We know it’s a lot of legwork, but you definitely won’t regret it in the end! Plus, when it comes time to scrub your tile… well, you’ll be thanking yourself for all of your previous hard work. 

Scrubbing

Yes, scrubbing may be involved! Occasionally your grout will need a thorough cleaning, and that’s when it’s time to bring out the scrub brush. Just make sure you aren’t using any abrasive materials to clean your tile and grout, as this may scratch the surface of your tile! And of course, make sure that you’re using cleaner that’s specifically made for cleaning tile and grout. 

Steam Cleaning

Finally, consider steam cleaning your tile flooring! A professional-grade steam cleaner effortlessly extracts dirt and grime from deep within the pores of grout, and shines up your tile, too! It doesn’t involve the use of any chemicals, and is completely safe for the environment! If you’ve never had your flooring steam cleaned before, just wait… you’ll be amazed!

The Steam Team has been at this for over a decade, friends! So don’t wait for your tile and grout to become yucky and grimey. Give The Steam Team a call and be impressed with our results, instead!

The Ins and Outs of Cleaning

Leather upholstery isn’t just gorgeous, it’s also durable, long-lasting, and pretty easy to care for (if you ask us)! When properly cared for, leather can last a lifetime. It’s one of the toughest materials and is actually the most recommended furniture upholstery material if you have kids and pets because you won’t risk any of those permanent stains. However, the cleaning process is specific and requires a little more involved than most. The Steam Team is here for you and your leather conditioning and cleaning!

From the Beginning

With new furniture, it’s easy to want to jump right into enjoying your new couch or recliner, but before you begin relaxing let’s make sure a few things are taken care of. First and foremost, leather needs to be conditioned in order to keep its elasticity over time, so it’s important that it’s conditioned initially as well. From there on, every six to twelve months (depending on what type of climate you live in) your leather should be conditioned.

Next, before there are any paws or cute little hands all over your new furniture, make sure there’s a layer of protectant over the leather. While leather is one of the toughest materials used in upholstery, it’s always a good idea to have something for extra protection.

Last (but certainly not least), the best time to learn about commercial cleaning products and leather is before you need to use them- like now, when you’ve just moved your new furniture in. Avoid any commercial cleaners that aren’t specifically made for leather as they could cause significant damage to the material.

The Steam Team can effectively and efficiently remove dirt, grease, and debris from your leather furniture, and then condition it to restore it to its like-new condition. And the best part? ‘We’ll clean it correctly the very first time. For more information on leather cleaning, conditioning, and other cleaning and restoration projects, visit our website today!