We are often asked about price matching quotes given from other companies, totally fine to ask. The problem is that other companies simply don’t do what we do when we clean your tile and grout. It’s one thing to go to Best Buy and ask them to price match Air Pod pricing that Amazon has, that makes so much sense because they are identical products. Unfortunately when it comes to services they are not identical.

What’s The Difference Between Your Tile and Grout Cleaning Service and Another Companies Tile And Grout Cleaning Service?

The Process

At UpFront Home Services we have a process that shouldn’t be as unique as it is but it is in fact unique. We utilize a multi-step rinsing process that attributes to getting your Tile and Grout as clean a possible. Some companies only do the alkaline or acid rinse and don’t include sealing of the grout at no charge. In fact, some companies don’t even include a pre-treatment to clean at all and then charge extra for this too.

• Alkaline Rinse – Removes the residues, grease, and other soiling away with a blend of oxidizers that react to dirt like hydrogen peroxide on a cut.
• Acid Rinse – Removes a microscopic layer of grout through etching. It also neutralizes the pH of the Alkaline Rinse and guarantees the deepest clean of your tile and grout.
• Sealing Of The Grout – We apply a water based sealer to your grout at no charge. This helps prevent staining from general wear and tear and some spill protection.

The Training

Our technicians go through a 3 month hands on training period where they work closely with a Master Technician who trains them on all of the little details that go into cleaning. We clean Tile and Grout on a daily basis, this leads to a deeper understanding and general knowledge of the do’s and don’ts that go into Tile and Grout Cleaning. We not only train our technicians how to clean but all the why’s in why we do what we do.

The People

We love our technicians and we are sure you will too. We don’t just hire anyone to come into your home. We hire individuals that are friendly and customer service oriented. We want you to have the best experience imaginable and it all starts with the right people coming into your home.

The Equipment

We utilize Truck Mounted units that are powered by the vans engine. This leads to a more consistent clean, more heat, and more vacuum power. Our units are essentially extremely high powered pressure washing units with heat and suction.

Other companies utilize units either powered by lawn mower engines, janitorial floor buffers, or portable equipment that simply doesn’t have the appropriate power to clean your floors. This would be like getting one of those little electric plug in pressure washers and comparing it to a trailer unit.

The Guarantee

Our re-clean guarantee is HUGE! So many companies will go into your home and “clean” your tile and grout, collect a check, and if there is a problem you get blocked. Our guarantee is our word, if there is an issue or you simply want us to check out a stain that you thought would come out but for some reason didn’t we will come back and re-clean the area for you at no charge. We love seeing pictures of the areas that need touching up, it helps us with training and to put our eyes on it before coming back, but trust me we will come back.

Never Ending Research and Development

When it comes to floors, we go all out. We are always testing new products and solutions to achieve the best results. We work with a chemical manufacturer to create and develop custom blended solutions for your floors. We also attend industry conventions (I know… Yes they do have floor cleaning conventions in Vegas…) and we go for training every year to continue our education. Quite frankly we are Floor nerds.

Every home is different. Some households have children, dogs, and all types of variables. Regardless of the household demographics, the tile and grout will get dirty.

Reasons Why Tile And Grout Gets Dirty

A Residue Forms

The tile typically gets dirty because a residue forms on the top surface due to alkaline cleaners being used in the home. Alkaline cleaners may be used in the home but you should rinse the floors really well to neutralize them. I recommend using Crystal Clean by Stone Pro (Can Find It On Amazon). Crystal Clean is a Neutral Floor Cleaner with a Fluoropolymer (Sealant) built in. It doesn’t handle grease clean up so somethings you will need to use something stronger in the kitchen to break down the soiling.

Using The Wrong Equipment

Using a string mop just is not going to work when it comes to keeping your floors clean. Even with constant water changing you are just spreading the dirt around. Utilizing a Auto Scrubber for maintenance is about as good as it gets when it comes to keeping your grout clean. They are starting to make more consumer friendly auto scrubbers. I personally use a flat head mop with Crystal Clean in the mist feature.

Dirt Always Finds A Way

It doesn’t matter if your grout is sealed or color sealed, dirt will always find a way. If a residue forms over the floor, the dirt is simply going to stick to it. The dirt will attach to the residue and stay on top of the grout and tile floor. I am a big believer in sealing the grout to prevent permanent staining but no matter what Dirt Always Finds A Way. This is why it is so important to use the right products and equipment to keep your tile and grout its cleanest.

The Solution

Utilize proper chemistry and equipment when cleaning your floors, and consistently maintain the tile and grout with professional steam cleaning. Our service will restore your tile and grout, protect it, and maintain it for the life of the floor. I recommend having the main areas of tile and grout cleaned once every 1-2 years depending on traffic.

Lately we have been getting a lot of questions about the different types of sealers that we use and the sealers are out there.

What Are The Different Types Of Sealers?

1. Water Based Sealer
2. Solvent Based Sealer
3. Color Sealer

Water Based Sealer

The water based sealer is a really good sealer for basic traffic lane wear and tear. It can be effective in kitchens, living rooms, bathrooms, and walk areas. The greatest flaw that a water based sealer has is that it doesn’t repel oil based stains. This makes the areas in the Kitchen in front of the stove especially difficult to clean. Placing a cooking mat in front of the stove is helpful with this type of sealer and frankly any type of sealer to help prevent any type of penetration or damage to the grout.

Sealer Life Expectancy : 1-3 Years (Varying on Traffic, Use, and Maintenance)

Solvent Based Sealer

The Solvent Impregnator Based Sealer is the best sealer available. It has all of the benefits of applying a water based sealer and none of the drawbacks. It is effective in protecting Oil Based stains in the Kitchen from penetrating and creating permanent stains. This doesn’t mean your Grout is going to stay clean forever, it simply means that it will be even easier to clean in the future and you shouldn’t gather any permanent stains along the way. If you’re on a budget I recommend using the Solvent based sealer only in the Kitchen Area and utilizing a water based sealer in the rest. Solvent based sealers are especially expensive but are worth the cost especially if you are applying them on Natural stone.

Sealer Life Expectancy : 3-5 Years (Varying On Traffic, Use, and Maintenance)

Color Sealer

Color sealing of Grout is typically a last resort when the Grout simply won’t come clean. That said it is effective at keeping the grout from becoming permanently stained by oils and other types of penetrates. However, this doesn’t mean your grout is going to stay clean forever. Color seals require consistent maintenance and touch up work. Dirts and Soiling do still stick to color seal meaning they need to be rinsed away. I recommend annual cleaning of Color Sealed grout and annual touch ups. We actually offer a Life Time Guarantee on our color seal, but the way to maintain it is to have us out to clean annually and do touch ups as needed.

Sealer Life Expectancy : Lifetime Of The Floor

In a nutshell, Sealers aren’t miracle coatings that will prevent your floors from getting dirty again. The purpose of Sealers is to help prevent your floor from becoming stained. There are a lot of misconceptions out there about sealers and we will address this in future tips articles.

Hire Tile and Grout Cleaning and Sealing Professionals

Our team has the experience, skills, and equipment required to handle this job efficiently. Getting the best value for your buck is so important when it comes to having any type of cleaning done in your home.

As a Veteran-founded company, we at Upfront Home Services offer honest and affordable Tile and Grout cleaning services. For any more information, feel free to contact us at (832) 303-3546. You can also send us an email via this Contact Us form, and one of our team members will call you shortly.

Tile and Grout Cleaning – How To Professionally Clean Tile and Grout

Professional Tile and Grout Cleaning can be achieved many different ways. Some companies get on their hands and knees and scrub the grout but leave the tile dull and residue filled. These kinds of companies are known as maid services and they come prepared with whatever baking soda trick they found on google.

Another way to complete Tile and Grout Cleaning is by using a floor machine and scrubbing the floor. This can achieve a decent clean if you are properly rinsing down the floor and extracting the water. This type of system is used by franchises that specifically focus on tile and grout cleaning.

The Best Way To Clean Tile and Grout

The best way however to clean tile and grout is by using Truck Mount Steam Cleaning. Through the use of a high pressure Tile and Grout Cleaning tool and hot steam, your floors can look pretty darn good again. But it doesn’t stop at the tool that’s being used to clean the tile and grout. It’s all in the chemicals, the time, and the knowledge of the person doing the job is the most important factor. 

Some tile and grout clening services have all of the right things to do the job but none of the right people. It’s easy for other companies to complete on the pricing aspect but it’s hard for them to compete on the people aspect of the job.

Why It Matters Who Cleans Your Tile And Grout?

I see many franchises go through worker after worker because they don’t pay fair wages. These companies are super competitive on price but miss on having great workers because they skimp on the most important factor, the people. 

If you don’t have the right people performing Tile and Grout Cleaning, it can be an utter disaster. A truly skilled and knowledgeable professional can spot problems before they occur or at minimum solve problems that they have solved in the past. Having a rookie come in to do your tile and grout cleaning is a crap shoot. The reason why it’s a crap shoot is because you just don’t ever know what you’re going to get.

We Are The Best Tile and Grout Cleaning In Houston and Katy TX

When you hire UpFront Home Services to complete your Tile and Grout Cleaning, you are hiring true professionals to come into your home and clean. Your tile and grout will be in the hands of masters in their craft. They are well paid professionals with the knowledge, equipment, and dedication to give you the best possible Cleaning result. 

Why Choose UpFront Home Services To Clean Your Tile and Grout?

When UpFront Cleans your Tile and Grout we include sealing of the Grout at no extra charge! What could be easier than having us clean your grout and seal your grout vs having another company that cleans for you and charges more to seal your grout. Not only do we include sealing of your grout at no charge… We also include Alkaline and Acid passes for your floors as well. By utilizing both an alkaline and an acid, we guarantee that your floors are their absolute cleanest before we even seal the grout. 

This is why we can safely say that at UpFront Home Services we are Houston and Katy’s most inclusive Tile Cleaning Company! Check out our Tile and Grout Cleaning Service Here.

Need A Quote? Give us a call at (832)303-3546 for a FREE Estimate and to check availability

UpFront Home Services

Call or Text (832)303-3546

www.UpFrontHomeServices.com

We Love Houston And Katy! Why? Because where else can you find the best foodie scene in the entire nation! Houston is home of some of the best restaurants in the entire U.S. Don’t believe me? Try Brett’s BBQ in Katy TX! 

How Often Should I Have Tile and Grout Cleaning?

I get asked all the time “How Often Should I Have Tile and Grout Cleaning?” it really depends on you and your living environment. Having your Tile and Grout Cleaned and Sealed should occur more often in the high traffic area and heavily used areas about once per year. I see kitchen being cleaned on an annual basis but Living Areas are typically every couple of years. Why is that? The Kitchen Area sees the most grease and dirt and is also the most mopped area in a home. Unfortunately most home owners use the wrong products and tools to clean their floors. What happens is that through using the wrong products and tools a residue starts to form on the floor and attracts dirt. Here is a link to an article I wrote regarding proper tile and grout floor maintenance tools and techniques.

How Often Should I have Kitchen Tile and Grout Cleaning?

I recommend cleaning the kitchen area professionally once per year. A good impregnating sealant will help keep the grout cleaner longer and allow for easier cleaning on an annual basis.

Should I Clean My Bathroom Tile and Grout Annually?

Yes, I recommend cleaning the inside of the shower and the floors professionally about once a year. Why? Because these areas get the most use and you could prevent mold and mildew through regular maintenance.

What About My Entry Way or Living Room?

I recommend Cleaning the Tile and Grout in these areas every couple of years or as necessary. The rule of thumb is every other cleaning to have the entry and living area cleaned. This all depends on your mopping technique and the area usage.

The Most Inclusive Tile and Grout Cleaning Service In Houston TX

At UpFront Home Services we provide the absolute most inclusive service in Houston TX for Tile and Grout Cleaning. We have a 9 Step Tile and Grout Cleaning Process and Include the Grout Sealant at No Extra Charge! We provide FREE In Home Estimates to go over all your floor care needs. Give us a Call or Text Us At (832)303-3546.

Professional Tile and Grout Cleaning vs Doing It Yourself, what’s the real difference? This is a great question. I hear all the time about how individuals have tried to clean their tile and grout themselves and it simply took too much time. Not only is time a factor but the actual cleaning an individual can do simply does not compare to what a true professional cleaning can do. So put down the toothbrush and see why you should pick up the phone and hire a professional today.

How is Professional Tile and Grout Cleaning different than what an individual might do on their own?

Professional Training and Years of Experience

Having a professional with experience working on your tile and grout sure beats amateur DIY methods. Experience just goes such a long way in all things in life. I mean you wouldn’t hire a mechanic that’s never worked on a car in their life right? Then why would you hire yourself to do something you’ve never done?

Super Powerful Grout Cleaning Equipment

A professional uses high powered equipment to thoroughly clean your tile and grout. 1200 psi and 220 degrees of steam cleaning is the difference between a professional cleaning and using a baking soda concoction you found on YouTube.

Professional Tile and Grout Cleaning Chemicals

A professional will utilize Alkaline Chemicals and Acidic Chemicals. Why? Because that’s what it takes to guarantee your tile and grout is as clean as it can possibly get. These chemicals aren’t available to the general public and are key to a awesome cleaning.

Why Choose UpFront Home Services To Clean Your Tile and Grout?

We not only clean your Tile and Grout we also include sealing of the Grout at no charge. That’s right FREE! What could be easier than having us out vs doing it yourself.

At UpFront Home Services we are Houston and Katy’s most inclusive Tile Cleaning Company! Check out our Tile and Grout Cleaning Service Here.

Need A Quote? Give us a call at (832)303-3546 for a FREE Estimate and to check availability

UpFront Home Services

Call or Text (832)303-3546

www.UpFrontHomeServices.com

After having your Tile and Grout Cleaned the first question that is normally asked is “What do I use to clean my floors now?” After most cleanings homeowners toss out the Pinesol, Fabuloso, and Swiffer Wet Jets. But they need something to fill the cleaning void.

Tile and Grout Cleaning Everyday Maintenance Tips

Here is what I recommend to maintain your tile and grout

Steam Mop

I particularly love a good steam mop. My reasoning is that it’s chemical free and produces excellent best for naturally disinfecting your floors. The one thing you must always do is use distilled water when cleaning. The reason why you must use distilled water is it will keep the machine functioning properly and you won’t deposit minerals into your grout. Steam Mopping is what I call Dummy Proof maintenance. If you clean weekly your floors will need a deep cleaning less often.

Flat Head Microfiber Mop and Nuetral Floor Cleaner

A flat head microfiber mop and neutral floor cleaner will go a long way. It’s not especially convienent if you don’t get the Flat Head Mop with the tank on it. But you will find that this won’t leave the sticky residue behind that dirt loves to stick to.

Kitchen Tile and Grout Maintenance

Every couple months or so I recommend cleaning the kitchen area with an alkaline product to help breakdown the grease. After you mop with the alkaline make sure to mop again with just clear water. Realistically I only recommend doing this if you start to see some dirt take hold in the kitchen. Keep an eye on it and clean with an alkaline product as needed.

Shower Tile and Grout Maintenance

I highly recommend using an everyday shower cleaner. I am particularly fond of Method Daily Shower Cleaner because you can spray it after each shower and just walk away. I use method in conjunction with Australian Tea Tree Oil mixed with Peroxide in my Shower once a week. By having regular maintenance you will be able to keep the mold and mildew away.

Additional Cleaning Tools

I recommend picking up grout brushes for scrubbing when something spills on the floor and for shower cleaning maintenance. You should also have a couple spray bottles so that you can have some cleaning product mixed and ready for when you need to clean up stains quickly. I also like having a shop vac handy for this crazy off the wall spills like a bottle of barbecue sauce breaking on the floor (don’t ask me how I know)…

Whenever you’re ready to have you Tile and Grout Professionally Cleaned Give Us A Call or Send Us A Text To (832)303-3546.

Check out our Tile and Grout Cleaning Process Here.

At UpFront Home Services we are Houston, Richmond, Cypress, and Katy’s most inclusive Tile and Grout Cleaning experience. Our Grout Cleaning Service is thorough and will leave your floor looking its absolute best.