Tile / Grout cleaning

[EZ_Clean]

I'm looking at starting a side line gig. Don't know if this will pan out, but I've got other ideas going on around this at the same time.

All of the items below are items that I have and were used exclusively for personal home use, but thinking of doing something with them:

*. Sanitaire 13" Floor machine w/ poly and nylon brushes

*. Oreck orbiter 550 XL with pad driver, various pads/bonnets, black brushes, and orange brush

* Sanitaire 889 Vacuum

*. Craftsman wet/dry vac (16 gallon, 6.5 hp XSP)

*. 3 small air movers

*. Metal wands adapted to vac. 1 squeegee wand and 1 regular vacuum wand


Thinking about doing some tile/grout cleaning. Not interested in a portable or truckmount.

For my personal use, I use ammonia for cleaning my tile and grout.

My market would be residential since I realize I have small equipment.

Do you think I have something to get started with and please give suggestions and/or recommendations.

I have a small list of things that I'd like to pick up to make a more complete tool complement.

 

[EZ_Clean]

Forgot to add that I'd look at doing some dry cleaning on carpet.

 

[Ken Raddon]

You are so under equipped I would stick to family and friends. With that said after you do a few people you know you will know what you don't have that you need to have. Oh and there is a reason so very few people clean tile and grout with ammonia... You can't breath, the customer can't breath oh and it doesn't work that great. That's more than one reason just to make the point.

 

[EZ_Clean]

I use ammonia on my personal cleaning and it does a fantastic job.

For others, I'd use a professional/commercial chemical.

I'm quite certain that everyone that first started out was not "well equipped either". That's why I'm posing the question here.

 

[Todd the Cleaner]

I use ammonia on my personal cleaning and it does a fantastic job.

For others, I'd use a professional/commercial chemical.

I'm quite certain that everyone that first started out was not "well equipped either". That's why I'm posing the question here.

Go over to interlink supply and pick up a grout brush and some tile & grout cleaner. Get one of the powdered cleaners. They sell TMF Tilemaster and Viper Venom powder with Citrus. Pick up one of those along with a pump sprayer.

If you are using a 2 gallon pump sprayer put 4-5 scoops of powder in with warm water and shake it up good. Put the chemical down in small enough areas that you can finish cleaning it before the chemical dries. Allow a 5-10 minute dwell time before scrubbing the grout lines with the grout brush then run one of your scrubbers over the tile. Be sure to rinse well.

 

[Scott W]

Todd has great advice if you are only going to do an occassional side job. If your goal is top make this a business, you will want more powerful equipment that can do the job better and faster.

I have written a basic guide to help get folks started in cleaning tile, grout and stone. You can get a copy free by an email request to [email protected]

 

[Omar]

You can clean with a tooth brush if you would like. Its just going to take alot longer.

 

[Gemcleans]

Write your name and number on some pieces of paper and get out there and get some business !!!

 

[EZ_Clean]

What happens if the chemical dries before scrubbing or extracting?

 

[rob allen]

What happens if the chemical dries before scrubbing or extracting?

What happens if you allow shampoo to dry in your hair before rinsing?

With any surface, not rinsing before drying leaves an alkaline residue. On hard surfaces it shows up as a haze. You must buff it off with rotary and white pad.

 

[rob allen]

I use ammonia on my personal cleaning and it does a fantastic job.

For others, I'd use a professional/commercial chemical.

I'm quite certain that everyone that first started out was not "well equipped either". That's why I'm posing the question here.

Pick up a container Groutmaster from the TMF store and get the free brush with it.

 

[suncarpet]

Without a portable or truck now you're going to be well under pressure required to do a satisfactory job. Oh and by the way the ammonia you're using to clean your tile is slowly breaking down your grout. Stop and stop now

 

[Omar]

What happens if you allow shampoo to dry in your hair before rinsing?

With any surface, not rinsing before drying leaves an alkaline residue. On hard surfaces it shows up as a haze. You must buff it off with rotary and white pad.

What does happen when shampoo dries in your hair? Ive never had that happen to me..

 

[Omar]

What happens if the chemical dries before scrubbing or extracting?

Find yourself a good porty and hook up a pressure washer to it. Get a spinner.

Doesnt really make sense to practice doing something the wrong way and then improving. Atleast with a prortable and pw, you will get good pressure and decent suction.

 

[Gemcleans]

What happens if you allow shampoo to dry in your hair before rinsing?
Are you speaking from experience Rob?

 

[EZ_Clean]

Ok, so I took the advice and bought a portable Terminator 1200 and Turbo Hybrid.

Bought the Groutmaster and brush combo. Bought some viper venom sealer and magic wand.

Where on this site can I go to get advice on the sealing part of this?

I stopped by a friends house today and she's got tight grout lines. Not sure how I would seal this. She's got travertine floors.

 

[MikeGaure]

Ok, so I took the advice and bought a portable Terminator 1200 and Turbo Hybrid.

Bought the Groutmaster and brush combo. Bought some viper venom sealer and magic wand.

Where on this site can I go to get advice on the sealing part of this?

I stopped by a friends house today and she's got tight grout lines. Not sure how I would seal this. She's got travertine floors.

Be careful what you use on that travertine or she may not be your friend when your done

 

[LookNGood]

Ok, so I took the advice and bought a portable Terminator 1200 and Turbo Hybrid.

Bought the Groutmaster and brush combo. Bought some viper venom sealer and magic wand.

Where on this site can I go to get advice on the sealing part of this?

I stopped by a friends house today and she's got tight grout lines. Not sure how I would seal this. She's got travertine floors.

What state are you in?

 

[EZ_Clean]

In Louisiana

 

[LookNGood]

In Louisiana

I was seeing if you may have been close by.

You can clean the travertine but with lower pressure. I would say don't scrub with anything just mop on the solution and rinse.

Travertine is a limestone and it is meant to be honed and polished. This is a different type of service.