Textured Tile Nightmare

[ccs06]

Any advice for cleaning ceramic tile with textured grooves in it? The tile also has little pit holes in it to that the dirt just gets in and sticks as well as along the grove lines. This is in a high traffic area so it is dirty nightly. I started cleaning with a scrub brush and then moved to a handled angled brush to get in the crevices better, but it takes forever and it never looks absolutely clean. Do you have any ideas on a cleaning product that my clean better? I've been using Zep PH neutralizer disinfectant floor cleaner. I'm wondering if there is a product that can help loosen the dirt out of the crevices, so the scrubbing/mopping will give better results. I've actually been thinking about OxiClean...thinking the "oxygen bubbles" maybe can loosen up the dirt. I've never used it before so I'm wondering if you guys might point me to something that could help or a more professional product. Thanks!

[logan5127]

There is equipment to help with this but it is expensive. Why are you using a neutral cleaner? It is important to try to make relations with chemical suppliers. There is a wide selection of cleaners on the market for this type cleaning. You probably should be using a high alkaline cleaner on this. And perhaps a follow up with an acid cleaner on the grout lines. If you are using a brush to break it loose you should have a wet vac sucking it up as you do so followed by a rinse and vac. Specialized equipment actually pressure washes the debri out of the pits/cracks. Check out some of the IJCSA sponsors to find a ceramic tile/grout cleaner. If you have a floor scrubber you can use a shampoo brush on it instead of a pad to help with the scrubbing process.

[J4K Cleaning]

We have tile like this in a car dealership we do. Regular mopping does not cut it on this type of floor. We use an auto scrubber nightly on it, scrub it and suck the dirty water up out of the low spots. Other wise the dirt sits there and over time starts to look dull and dark. Once per quarter we come in with our buffer and a magna grit brush and scrub with a peroxide, citrus cleaning product and follow up with a wet vac. Hope that helps!

[ccs06]

Thanks for your advice. I do not have any major equipment. I clean smaller offices in a small town and do not have enough income or jobs to warrant them. I was using the PH neutralizer because in a different part of the office, the floor was sealed. The person who sealed the floor told the business that is what should be used. So I use it through out the building for hard floor surfaces. The textured tile portion of the building is only in the . I'd say it's probably 18 foot by 4 foot and then 12 foot by 6 foot. We do have a janitorial store in our town, it is also very small and on hand has pretty much one line of product. I did explain my situation to them and they are the ones who sold me this angled brush and did not mention that another cleaner might be better. This is why I'm posting here. They are very pleasant, but I don't get a lot of help from our local janitorial store and the next closest one is about an hour away which is why I came here hoping I could get some help. I have looked online, but I'm always leary of a product being too strong for what I need. That is why I posted here, thinking someone might be able to direct me to a particular product. I am so thankful for this site. I have learned so much that I have a hard time getting from other resources in our small town. Thanks for your advice.

[logan5127]

You can make contacts without being close to a janitorial supply house. In fact I have no janitorial supply places anywhere close to me. You could contact some through the sponsors here such as clean freak or powrflite. Send them a email or call. You can also get discounts from being a member here at IJCSA. Ask about the cleaners for ceramic tile and grout. Ceramic is very durable and can handle the stronger cleaners. You are right about using neutral cleaner on the waxed/sealed floors. Other than that if you consistantly use a disenfectant neutral cleaner you can get a residue buildup on the waxed floors from the disenfectant. If we use disenfectant we rotate it with just neutral cleaner to help keep the residue down. I have never tried the peroxide.

[ccs06]

Thanks Dan. I will definately check into the sponsers. I would like to work with someone local, but I don't think I have a choice anymore. Hopefully I can find someone who can help me to be more knowledgeable. I really appreciate your advice. I've been doing this for 2 1/2 years, but am still definately learning as I go. Thank you again.
Andrea

[logan5127]

Nov 13, 2008 2:15:08 GMT -5 ccs06 said:

Thanks Dan. I will definately check into the sponsers. I would like to work with someone local, but I don't think I have a choice anymore. Hopefully I can find someone who can help me to be more knowledgeable. I really appreciate your advice. I've been doing this for 2 1/2 years, but am still definately learning as I go. Thank you again.
Andrea

I have been doing floor work for over 25 years and I too, am still learning.

[executive1]

There is a company call NCL National Chemical Laboratories we us lots of NCL chemicals they
have a chemical call Cyclone(intensive ceramic tile/grout cleaner) its the best for textured Tiles
great results. nclonline.com or 1 800 nat-chem made in usa



Executive Building Maintenance

Luis

[Grizzly]

First, are you sure it is ceramic and not porcelain. Most textured finished tile I have encountered has been porcelain. Within the last year or so, there has been evidence that porcelain tile develops a molecular charge and adheres dirt to it, even the use of a strong biodegreaser will not remove dirt from this tile. I have a light industrial dealership that has this tile and we use a product from Wood Wyant here in Canada called Century 11. This stuff is fantastic. Mix at a dilution of 1:20 and let dwell on the floor for maybe 5 minutes, scrub with an autoscrubber using a light bristle brush and the floor is absolutely clean. You can even scrub with simply a stiff push broom and it works great, at times, we simply mop it up and the floor is clean. The dirt lifts from the crevices and you are left with a pristine floor. It remove grease, tire tracks etc. with ease. I always use a neutral pH rinse after to neutralize the floor even though it is not required. Do not use a disinfectant cleaner on the floor for the reasons Dan (the all knowing and wise rich man ) stated above.

Bill

[ccs06]

Thank you both so much. I will check into them both. Bill, thanks for all the info. I will check with them for confirmation on the tile.

[executive1]

Why on there TDS is listed for both all depends how old the tile are also but be safe go nclonline.com
review the MDSS and Technical Data Sheet.
This product is now use at a three milion dollar a year account and it works great.l



Luis

[logan5127]

Nov 26, 2008 15:40:09 GMT -5 Grizzly said:

Dan (the all knowing and wise rich man ) stated above.

Bill

For those of you who don't know. Me and Bill have become pretty good buddies from meeting on IJCSA. We always are complimenting each other ???lol. As some of you know Bill is the Grizzly. For the rest of this post he will be referred to as Mountain Grizz and Myself as Mt. Dan.
When Mt. Dan was skipping class in early high school years to go fishing , Mt. Grizz had his nose in the books in College gaining more knowledge than he would ever use.
When Mt. Dan looks in a mirror he has to turn on a light because his hair is actually getting Darker Brown . When the Mt. Grizz looks in a mirror he has to dim the lights to keep the glare from reflecting from the silver. Mt. Dan Does push ups every day from the eating table. While Mt . Grizz needs no exercise because he is half bionic. The Mt. Grizz is a work a holic. He works most of the night, he works most of the Day and when he has spare time he sits and smiles at how much money he has stored for the cold winter months when the typical Grizz would be hibernating, but not our Mighty Mt. Grizz. Mt. Gizz does not snore , instead he roars and rants . The Mt. Grizz is far more knowledgeable than he will ever show. He is mighty, shy, wise, old, grumpy, and can outwork most people only half his age. If you are in need of a Strong, hard headed, walking encyclopedia, that has more jobs, money, and wisdom then I could ever dream of then you should really make friends with this awesome Ole Grizz that IJCSA is privileged to have as a member . Shoot him I mean send him a personal message and let him know we see right through that tough exterior he puts on . He is really a sweet, lovable teddy bear. Having friends like him is not only nice but is also an asset in your business as well. We can all learn a lot from the Grizz . Now lets see how he handles being ratted out. ;D ;)lol
P.s. Oh ya, and as I always say, this is just my opinion. Some may have other opinions. We all can learn much from opinions.

[brendanmckenzie922]

All very useful to us newbies, thanks for the info.

[kathryncristal]

Cottage cheese or popcorn ceilings are common in many houses and can, for some, be an eyesore and a cleaning nightmare. These ceilings tend to accumulate dust and cobwebs.

[lewisbryant]

Cottage cheese or popcorn ceilings are common in many houses and can, for some, be an eyesore and a cleaning nightmare. These ceilings tend to accumulate dust and cobwebs.