September 2024 Newsletter

Tile & Grout Cleaning in Fort Wayne

how to maintain your tile & grout floors

Tile & Grout Got You Down?

Have you ever been frustrated after spending all day on your hands and knees scrubbing your tile with so-so results?  

The good news is, Distinctive has the state-of-the-art equipment, the effective cleaning solutions and the perfectionist mindset to clean and extract the dirt from your tile and grout floors with excellent results. 

6 Myths About Tile & Grout

Myth #1:  Mopping is good enough.

Mopping evenly spreads the dirt around the floor and into the corners.  Gravity causes the dirty water to absorb into the grout, which results in dirty grout lines.  Dirt can also be lodged into the pores and pits of some tiles.  In a kitchen, grease from cooking can be difficult to remove from tile and grout floors on your own.

Myth #2:  Using dish soap to clean tile and grout is effective. 

Dish soap can leave a sticky residue if not rinsed properly. This sticky residue can attract dirt.

Myth #3:  Bleach will remove stubborn stains from grout. 

Bleach causes grout to slowly deteriorate, weaken, and break apart over time. It can also ruin the shine on glossy tile surfaces in addition to harming the grout.  Use neutral cleaning solutions and wax-free products for upkeep, and have your tile and grout professionally cleaned and sealed every year to reduce the risk of staining and discoloration.

Myth #4:  Using a wire brush to clean grout lines is a good idea.

Wire brushes are easy to find and can seem like an effective way to powerfully blast out stubborn dirt accumulating in your grout. However, hard scrubbing with a tough wire brush can remove much more than the dirt and grime – it can damage the tile as well as the grout.

Myth #5:  Applying sealer after cleaning is a gimmick.

Grout is basically sand, which means it is porous.  Applying a sealer can make it easier to keep clean, so your floor looks better longer.  Sealer will protect your grout from spills that make it susceptible to stains.  Do you have pets??  Unsealed grout will absorb pet urine deposits, trapping stains and odor-causing bacteria.  Sealing your grout will help give you more time to clean up accidents and avoid embarrassing odors.

Myth #6:  Tile & grout is maintenance-free.

Just like any other household surface, tile and grout require cleaning and maintenance.  A routine professional, deep cleaning is recommended for the long-term health of your grout.  The professionals at Distinctive can help with this!

Before

During

After

Benefits of Tile & Grout Cleaning

  • Health

    Contrary to popular opinion, hard surface flooring such as ceramic tile and grout is not maintenance-free nor does it stay cleaner than carpet.  Yet, most people deep clean their hard surface flooring less often than their porous flooring, like carpet and rugs.  Regular tile and grout cleaning is necessary to maintain your family’s health.

  • Appearance

    You just feel better when your tile and grout is clean and shiny!  After a deep cleaning, you will no longer have dull grout lines or grimy tile.  You will love the way your tile floors look!

  • Investment

    Tile and grout cleaning – especially a restorative, deep cleaning – will extend its life, which will protect you from costly premature replacement.

How We Keep Your Tile & Grout Floors Clean:

Distinctive’s alkaline tile & grout cleaning solution is a high-performing, oxidizing cleaner.  It attacks dirt, grime and oily soils.  After dwell time and agitation, the floor is rinsed and extracted with high pressure and hot water – removing all traces of dirt from your tile and grout floors!

Learn More About Our Tile & Grout Cleaning Process In the Video Below

Did You Know Distinctive Cleans Tile Showers?

You use your shower everyday.  It should be one of the healthiest areas of your home.  However, over time, hard water, soap stains, mold & mildew can build up on your tiled shower and can be difficult to remove using over-the-counter cleaning products.

After a thorough cleaning from Distinctive, you’ll have a smooth, clean tile surface that looks like new.

A sealer can be applied after cleaning to help the grout stay cleaner longer.  While this is optional, it is highly recommended due to the porous nature of grout.

tile shower cleaning

Before

tile shower cleaning

After

Enjoy a cleaner, healthier home this season!

To schedule an appointment for any of our Expert Cleaning Services:

Distinctive Cleaning & Restoration Fort Wayne - Client of the Month

“For 7 years now, I have battled my kitchen tile floor. I’ve tried everything to keep the white tile looking clean… mopping, scrubbing, homemade baking soda pastes, etc. I even hired another cleaning company to professionally clean it, but no matter what I tried, my tile still looked dirty.

I was referred to Distinctive Cleaning and Restoration and I was amazed at the before and after! My tile looked so clean, my 7 year old asked if we got a new floor when he returned from school!

Alan was very through, professional, and he even offered me tips to keep my tile looking fresh. I will definitely be using this company again.” – Mr. & Mrs. Haire

Thank you for being such wonderful customers! 

Read more of our 5-star reviews on Google here.

Earn FREE Cleaning With Our Referral Reward Program

Instead of spending money on advertising, we want to reward our friends who help our business grow.  Refer new clients to our company and get rewarded with 10% of their first invoice as a cleaning credit valid for any of our services at your next appointment. 

Refer your friends, family, neighbors, and colleagues and start Earning FREE Cleaning today!

Pet of the Month Distinctive Cleaning & Restoration Fort Wayne, IN

Wrigley

We might be biased, but we think this is the cutest Yorkie in the whole world – because he’s ours!  Meet Wrigley, Distinctive’s mascot.  He is a 6-year-old boy who loves long walks, chasing birds, eating green peppers and popcorn, and getting a good belly rub.  He brings lots of fun and, sometimes, frustration to Alan and Audrey’s lives.  If you’ve experienced pet accidents, rest assured that we have too! 

Recently, Wrigley had a fun adventure at Fido’s Forest.  Check it out for your pets!

P.S. Do you have a furry family member that has had an accident or two recently?  Are you noticing an odor?  We can help with that!  Learn more about our pet stain and odor removal services below.

Tip

6 Simple Tile & Grout Maintenance Tips

1.  Vacuum, vacuum, vacuum!

Dirt, mud, grit, and sand can get ground into the tile and grout from heavy foot traffic.  This abrasion will cause soiling and damage.  A vacuum will extract the dirt.  A broom will push the dirt into the grout lines.

2.  Just say “NO!” to floor waxes.

These can be difficult to remove from ceramic tile floors. As long as your floor is properly sealed and maintained, you should have no need for these products.

3.  Many tile cleaners are acid-based and their use should be limited.

Always read the manufacturer’s directions.  All acids, no matter how weak, will etch natural stone surfaces.  Do not use vinegar, lemon juice or other cleaners containing acids on marble, limestone, travertine or onyx surfaces.  In addition, avoid any cleaner that contains harsh abrasives.

4.  Furniture in hard surface areas could cause serious damage.

Teflon or felt can be used on table and chair legs to prevent scratches and abrasive damage.

5.  Protect your tile floors with non-slip mats or area rugs.

Dirt collecting carpet mats should be placed in frequently used entrances and shaken out weekly.  Be sure the underside of the mat has a non-slip surface.  We recommend taking these up and cleaning the floors under them every month.  We provide a high-quality rug pad to keep rugs in place and to protect the flooring underneath – learn more here.

6.  During winter months, leave shoes that may have salt or ice melt on them at the door.

Chemicals used in these products cause rapid and irreversible damage.

Local (1)

Natural Stone Polishing & Cleaning

Distinctive can clean your ceramic/porcelain tile and vinyl plank.  We can also clean natural stones like slate, limestone and travertine.  However, natural stones such as granite and marble require polishing to stay shiny and beautiful.

For this service, we recommend Steve Manter with Stone & Tile Solutions.  He provides stone restoration services in Fort Wayne, including cleaning, sealing, restoring and polishing stone floors, showers, and countertops.

Fun in Fort Wayne - Distinctive Cleaning & Restoration

FEATURED EVENT

Johnny Appleseed Festival – September 21-22, 2024

From our family to yours, we wish you another month of health & happiness!

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