[absolutecleaning]

As part of a post office refurb clean we have to strip and reseal  toilet floor - fine.

They have also asked us to clean the wall tiles and grout and the customer has suggested to the builder steam cleaning.

We bought one yesterday (70 quid from argos) and tried it out at a house - but it doesnt really seem to do the trick

Do you think we are doing something wrong with the cleaner or have any other methods to clean the grout.

Thanks

Simon

[Cleaning Resource]

if your gonna use a steam cleaner you need a decent one you would be better of spending your 70 quid hiring a proper one, something like a Doman contractor from ospray.

[Robert Parry]

Agree with gleam, there is steam and then there is steam!

Regards,

Rob

[keith b]

Steam alone will not clean dirty grout on wall tiles, not matter how powerful the steam cleaner is!

Try mixing 1 part chlorine bleach, with 5 parts water, spray on tiles, and then use a grout brush or tooth brush and scrub.
Sponge down two or three times with plain water after scrubbing to get rid of the cleaning solution.

Don`t use this method of cleaning on coloured grout, and be careful not to work with bleach near ammonia based products.

Also wear goggles and glove and old clothes!

There are other methods & chemicals, but test this method of cleaning first on a small area, and wait 24 hours to see results.

[Bertie Boo]

Well i am so glad that it wasnt me who mentioned using bleach.....i was frightend of getting told off (again) but i personally have found nothing better to 'clean' (and when i say clean then yes i DO realise it does not 'clean' the grout it simply bleaches the colour out of the stain) grout.

To me the argument that bleach 'only' removes the colour and not the actual stain is a weak argument in some cases IMHO because in the case of things like grout it is not the stain that will attract further dirt and germs as much as it is the grout itself.

On that subject, how hygenic IS grouting? I've often pondered this, what with it being a matt finish and one that is at least semi-pourus at that?

Stephen

[keith b]

Stephen,

I don`t know weather you agree with me or not, but bleach can have its uses, if used carefully.

A lot people use bleach as general cleaning agent to solve most of there cleaning problems in the sense of ridding bacteria or to mask a smell, on the whole this is not the best product to use (disinfectant along with a de-odourizers are better in most circumstances).

As you know bleach can whiten certain surfaces and can partly remove staining, but thats about it, I don`t have a problem using it if testing on a small areas first.

[Bertie Boo]

Keith

I am totally in agreement with you.

I think the reasons not to use bleach and the potential dangers with it are blown out of all proportion.

I can fully understand why a client may not want bleach used and i can fully understand why a cleaning company would not want to use it. However, i think a great many people who choose not to use it consider themselves to have a licence to say it must NEVER be used under any circumstances. I think that is a bit ignorant if i'm absolutly blunt.

Stephen

[Cleaning Resource]

this is getting stupid, everytime someone mentions bleach the topic goes way off course.

[Bertie Boo]

this is getting stupid, everytime someone mentions bleach the topic goes way off course.

So what? i thought that was the point of having a discussion forum? I don't see the problem...unless of course i have missed a point somewhere in the T+C's that says that no topic must meander off in a different direction? Its nothing to do with bleach, many other topics go 'off topic' (have you not ever noticed? And i'm not being rude i am asking a genuine question). Its not just me who does it and its not just the forums on this website either.

I am so very confused by some folk on here  :

Stephen

[keith b]

If people are not comfortable using bleach, then it possible to clean grouting with a solution of vinegar mixed with other compositons.

Just look on the net!

[Cleaning Resource]

this is getting stupid, everytime someone mentions bleach the topic goes way off course.

So what? i thought that was the point of having a discussion forum? I don't see the problem...unless of course i have missed a point somewhere in the T+C's that says that no topic must meander off in a different direction? Its nothing to do with bleach, many other topics go 'off topic' (have you not ever noticed? And i'm not being rude i am asking a genuine question). Its not just me who does it and its not just the forums on this website either.

I am so very confused by some folk on here  :

Stephen

Calm down, I`m not really that bothered what we talk about I was just making a joke because everytime bleach is mentioned it attracts alot of interest. Have you not not noticed?

[Bertie Boo]

Hi gleam

No i hadnt noticed it specifically, i just noted that a lot of subjects drifted.

Sorry i didnt read your message as a 'joke', it didnt strike me as such.

Calm as always     

Stephen