Commonly used in commercial restrooms and kitchens, tile and grout is quickly becoming the surface of choice for a wide range of business spaces. For good reason: commercial tile and grout is made from durable and waterproof materials that hold up under heavy foot traffic, while offering an array of creative colors and patterns that can liven up any surface.

As rugged as they might be, however, commercial tile and grout still require a lot of upkeep, including regular cleaning. That’s largely because commercial tile and grout tend to see a lot of foot traffic, usage and moisture — especially in kitchen and bathrooms. Over time, grease, dirt, grime, organic material, and all kinds of nasty liquids that make their way onto tile and grout start to build up — leaving behind a dull residue, unpleasant odors and discoloration, slippery and hazardous surfaces, not to mention a breeding ground for mildew, mold and germs.

Customers Take Notice of Commercial Tile and Grout

The fact is: dirty tile and grout can result in a loss of business. Take public restrooms: One survey found that the quality and cleanliness of an establishment’s bathroom directly impact whether customers choose to bring their business back.* 

With the onset of the pandemic, consumers have become even more aware of cleanliness — or lack thereof — in the businesses they frequent. Filmy, grimy tile with discolored grout is one the most visible signs that a business is not providing the level of hygiene their customers and employees expect or deserve.

The Challenge of Commercial Tile Cleaning 

When it comes to commercial tile cleaning, you’ll need special emulsifiers, solutions and equipment to properly sanitize tile and remove stubborn residue and grime that can dull color. Commercial grout cleaning comes with its own set of challenges, as well. Grout is soft and more porous than tile, which means it retains more moisture, dirt and microbes that can lead to staining, bad odors, mildew and mold.

Contrary to common business practice, daily mopping is not an effective method for commercial tile cleaning. Dirty water collected by a mop ends up getting squeezed out of the mop’s fibers by the slightly raised tile, and funneled right into the grout line. There, inside porous grout material, microbes start to multiple — often turning the grout black. A mop basically acts like a paintbrush, spreading dirt and contaminants around. That same gross mop also splashes filthy water up onto tiled walls, where it is once again absorbed in the grout line.

Your choice of commercial tile cleaner and commercial grout cleaner can have an impact on results, as well. Acidic and abrasive cleaners, for instance, can dissolve grout or lead to pitting. Wax- and oil-based cleaners, on the other hand, leave a film on tile that attracts dirt. Ideally, you need a commercial tile cleaner that will remove stains, residue and deeply embedded grime without damaging the tile or grout.

You’ll also need time — and plenty of it. Given the amount of square footage in many businesses, cleaning commercial tile and grout can be a challenging, grueling and lengthy job for cleaning crews, janitorial staff and employees. Your staff’s time and energy could likely be spent on other more important tasks, rather than scrubbing your tile and grout on hands and knees. 

Save Time with Professional Commercial Tile Cleaners

Which is exactly why calling in professional commercial tile cleaners is a smart business investment. At COIT, our certified commercial tile and grout cleaning pros use advanced, tile-safe cleaning solutions and heat-based contaminant extraction to get your tile and grout sparking and smelling like new, and provide a healthier, sanitary environment for your customers and employees. We can also apply COITColorSealTM  to bring your grout back to its original color, or even change it to a brand new, more attractive color. We finish the job by using a penetrating sealant to protect your grout from future staining and mildew so it stays its original color.

Your customers and occupants will notice just how clean, attractive and healthy your environment is, thanks to your beautiful commercial tile and grout. And you’ll have more time to spend on running your business. Call COIT today to schedule your commercial tile and grout cleaning service.

^{*https://www.cleanlink.com/news/article/Study-Dirty-Restrooms-Lead-to-Lost-Business--13366}