With so many cleaners out there, how do you know what your professional is using to clean your floors? This article will guide you through the main products we use, one from the alkaline side and the other an acid-based cleaner
Alkaline vs acid-based cleaners? With so many cleaners out there, how do you know what your professional is using to clean your floors?
This article will guide you through the main products we use, one from the alkaline side and the other an acid-based cleaner.
AriStone Cleaning and Restoration has a couple of different cleaners we use for different circumstances. For natural stones, we have a cleaner specifically for travertine, granite, and marble, and for ceramic and porcelain tiles, we use two specific cleaners.
When it comes to cleaning ceramic and porcelain tiles and the grout lines, we have two cleaner options to choose from, depending on what your grout needs. There is the Alkaline cleaner and the Acid wash cleaner. Both do an excellent job for different aspects of tile and grout cleaning.
Typically, we stick to using the Alkaline cleaner because the word “acid” sometimes makes people nervous. Alkaline cleaners are safe and have very low VOCs that they emit during the cleaning process.
This tile and grout cleaner is excellent for removing dirt, grease, and grime from within the grout lines and off the tile surfaces. The alkaline cleaner we use is called Modern Clean by Modern Stone Technologies.
READ: DIY VS professional tile and grout cleaning
We can use this cleaning agent on many different tile and stone types, but we use it for our ceramic and porcelain customers as often as possible.
As always, after cleaning your grout, we highly recommend sealing the grout lines because once we open those pores, your grout will be more absorbent until it dries out. One good thing is that the pores of the grout will not be as absorbent as they are after we acid-wash.
Acid washing is excellent for multiple reasons. It helps remove grout and grout haze, helps with deeper stains, and preps the grout to take color sealing. The acid wash we use is called Easy Etch, and it is made by Modern Stone Technologies as well.
After installs, there can be a haze grout the grout or even grout left behind. Acid washing helps break down the grout and haze and lifts it off the surface of the tiles. Installers will do their best to remove as much of this as possible, but there is always a chance that some may be left behind. That is where we come in.
Cleaning tile and grout with the acid cleaner also helps pull out staining that the alkaline cleaner may not have tackled. Even though the acid wash can help pull the stains out more than the alkaline cleaner may have, there is no guarantee that the stains will be removed completely.
As we have stated, grout is very absorbent when it has not been sealed. If you let stains seep in for too long, they may be permanently stained. We highly recommend sealing the grout once you have cleaned it always.
The acid wash cleaning is also the cleaning process we use to prep the grout for color sealing. Color sealing is a penetrating sealer with a color pigment in it. This grout color sealer will stain your grout back to one uniform color.
READ: What to Expect from Your Local Travertine Cleaning Experts
Before being able to color seal, we need to do the acid wash cleaning to open up the pores of the grout, allowing the grout to accept and absorb the color seal better. This process is the only process for ceramic and porcelain that will make the grout and tile look new again.
As you can see, both cleaners have a role when it comes to cleaning your tile and grout, and each of them does a fantastic job for different purposes. Tile and grout cleaning is essential because it helps with your tile and grout's longevity, it keeps your tile floors looking new longer, and it helps prevent grout staining in the long run.
We highly recommend having your tile and grout professionally cleaned every 12-18 months, and the grout sealed every two years. This is the best maintenance plan for ceramic and porcelain. Side note the color seal lasts longer than the clear sealers, and our company offers warranties for the color seal and out hybrid solvent sealer.
For more information, check out our website at www.travertiencleaningaz.com or give us a call at 480-352-2987. We look forward to answering your questions and working with you soon.
When cleaning tile and grout, knowing the difference between acidic and alkaline cleaners is essential. Acidic cleaners contain acid molecules that help break down mineral deposits, such as calcium carbonate, while alkaline solutions focus on removing organic residues, such as grease and soap scum.
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The pH scale helps professionals determine whether a cleaner is acidic or alkaline by measuring hydrogen ion concentration or hydroxide ions in the solution. Using the right cleaner for the right stain ensures that cleaning is effective without damaging your tile surfaces.
For example, citric acid and acetic acid are examples of weak acids, often used in natural or eco-friendly cleaners, while stronger acids like hydrochloric acid are reserved for stubborn stains in commercial applications.
Professional tile and grout services rely on specialized techniques to remove deep-set stains. Acidic cleaners are excellent for tackling mineral stains, such as calcium carbonate deposits, whereas alkaline products like sodium hydroxide or potassium hydroxide help hydrolyze fats and organic soils.
Many common cleaning products, from laundry detergents to oven cleaners and bathroom cleaners, are formulated with either an acidic or alkaline base. Using the correct chemical helps prevent damage to metal surfaces, natural stone, and porous tile materials.
For stubborn buildup, combining acid and alkaline cleaners sequentially can break down both organic soils and soluble salts. Professionals carefully calculate the pH value of the solution to avoid adverse chemical reactions with other substances on the surface.
READ: Best ways to clean and care for your travertine tile floors
In certain cases, stronger alkaline cleaners are used to tackle extremely tough grease and grime, taking advantage of a high alkaline pH to efficiently lift stubborn soils.
Additionally, some professionals incorporate chlorine bleach in controlled applications to disinfect surfaces and remove lingering organic residues without harming the tile.
Tile and grout cleaning is about more than just aesthetics, it also prevents potential health hazards caused by lingering bacteria in organic residues and soap scum.
Professionals use advanced equipment and cleaning supplies such as baking soda, sodium bicarbonate, sodium carbonate, and sodium hypochlorite to lift stains without harsh damage.
Floor cleaning often involves dilute solutions of acidic or alkaline cleaners, ensuring the proper surface tension allows the chemicals to penetrate deep into grout pores.
READ: Myths About Tile and Grout Maintenance
Everyday dish soap, toilet cleaners, glass cleaning agents, and lemon juice are examples of cleaning materials that rely on hydrogen ions or hydroxide ions to interact with metal ions, fats, and organic soils.
Understanding ph scale ranges and using neutral pH products when needed protects tiles while efficiently removing stains, soap scum, and other substances.
Travertine tile is a sensitive tile and requires a professional that knows what they are doing. we pride ourselves on being the leader in travertine cleaning, sealing and restoration and like you see above, that travertine tile was cleaned and honed to a satin finish.
This tumbled travertine tile was in real need for a good cleaning and sealing, we cleaned this floor at 1500 psi and sealed both travertine tile and the grout to prevent staining.
Experience: 27 Years
Industry: Natural Stone, Tile and Grout Cleaning and Restoration
Cody has been in the Natural Stone, Tile and Grout service for 27 years, his knowledge and experience in this field helps get your job done correct the first time. If there is anyone you want on your job site it's Cody.
Location: Serving the Phoenix metro area
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