Consumer Awareness Guide - Tile & Grout Cleaning

Dear friend,

Choosing an tile & grout cleaner isn't easy.
Why? Because you are bombarded with misleading advertising, confusing claims, and simply bad information. or worse,  no information at all. From super-low prices and high-pressure sales-to unqualified technicians and near-worthless methods--how do you ever find a qualified, professional tile and grout cleaner?

You start by reading this Consumer's Guide. In this fact-filled Guide, you'll find how to avoid four mistakes when choosing an tile and grout cleaner, and five steps to clean, sparkling, surfaces.

We have been in the Cleaning Service Industry for over 6 years.  We have dedicated our business to helping home and office owners get the highest return from their hard surface cleaning investment. We welcome your inquiries and will gladly answer your questions over the phone. We wrote this guide to help you better understand tile and grout cleaning. Now, with this information, you can make an informed, intelligent decision. And, if you have any questions about tile and grout cleaning, you are invited to call AllStates at 732-956-3900 we've dedicated our business to educating consumers. W'll be happy to help you in every way. Mention you saw this on my website and I will give you a free tile & grout Audit with a free cleaning demo.

Sincerly:
Sean ivry


4 COSTLY MISCONCEPTIONS TILE AND GROUT CLEANING

MISCONCEPTION # 1: My floor doesn't look bad, so my hard surfaces don't need to be cleaned.
False - Although many people think their floor is bullet proof it isn’t, as soil builds up in the grout  it attacks the sealer on your surface weakening it. Eventually penetrating it and staining your grout lines. Which over time then can become impossible to remove.  Most tile manufactures recommend at a minimum an annual maintenance program.

MISCONCEPTION # 2: The only reason to clean hard surfaces is to get the dirt out and keep my home or office cleaner.
No - As you probably know, outdoor air contains bacteria, pollens, fungus, air pollution, cigarette smoke, car exhaust - and hundreds of other chemicals.  When you come into your home or office, you carry those pollens, bacteria and chemicals in your hair and on your skin, clothing and shoes.  Not surprisingly, all those toxins and chemicals wind up on your hard surfaces.
  If you have asthma, allergies, emphysema, or other breathing problems - one major source of your problem could be the fungus, pollens, smoke or chemicals on your tile.
 
MISCONCEPTION # 3: Having the right equipment is all a company needs to clean my tile & grout surfaces properly.
Absolutely not thru - Many companies have just started cleaning tile & grout - and a large number of their employees don't know how to use it they lack the proper education and training. You probably know someone who bought the newest DVD on the market, but didn't learn how to setup the clock for a year or more. The same is true of tile & grout cleaning equipment.

MISCONCEPTION # 4: The Company that offers the lowest price is the company I should hire.
Maybe - but not most of the time. Here are some points to consider: The price you see offered may not be for the services you want performed. If you want a complete, professional cleaning of your tile & grout, the tile & grout cleaner should perform all of the following:

Inspect the surface before cleaning to be sure that there are no cracked tiles or loose grout. Repairs maybe required before cleaning.

Sweep or vacuum floor of all loose material and debris  

Protect your home wood, carpet, or metal that is adjacent to the area being cleaned

Prespray the area with a heavy duty emulsifier to remove the oily dirt and other pollutants

High pressure rinse and extraction to remove all soil

Use specialized equipment for dislodging foreign matter from your grout lines and high power vacuums to remove it.

Drying equipment to speed dry the surface


5 MISTAKES TO AVOID WHEN CHOOSING A TILE AND GROUT CLEANER

MISTAKE # 1: Choosing a tile & grout cleaner based on equipment alone. No question, your tile & grout cleaner needs first-rate equipment. But he also needs something else. He needs employees who are skilled at operating that equipment. Many companies own the right tools, but very few companies teach their employees how to use them properly.

MISTAKE # 2: Choosing a tile & grout cleaner based on low price. Low price could be a problem in three ways:

(1) Low price advertising can be the bait that attracts your phone call. But once the gets into your office or home, he pressures you into a much more expensive cleaning job.

(2) Low price can be for a partial cleaning job or only surface cleaning. Rarely does the consumer know what this means, and, when told, asks for a more complete cleaning and/or other services which result in a much more expensive cleaning job.

(3) Low price means the tile & grout cleaner usually has cheap equipment or untrained personnel, which will not effectively clean your hard surfaces.

MISTAKE # 3: Choosing a tile  cleaner based on a single telephone call. Instead, invite the person to your home and ask for a specific written quotation. Then you'll know exactly what the tile and grout cleaner recommends - and you won't be the victim of high pressure tactics when the cleaning technician steps into your home.

MISTAKE # 4: Choosing a tile & grout cleaner who doesn't offer a money-back guarantee. In my view, every tile & grout cleaning company should be fully accountable for its work. And if you aren't happy with the cleaning job in every way, you shouldn't have to pay for it. Period. Ask the tile and grout cleaner if he offers a no-risk money-back guarantee and then make sure the tile and grout cleaner includes his guarantee on his written quotation.

MISTAKE # 5: Choosing a tile and grout cleaner without getting comments from his other clients.  Any tile and grout cleaner can say anything about his past cleaning jobs. And, sadly, some of what he says may not be true. Make sure you ask for references or read comments / testimonial from current customers so you can depend on the tile and grout cleaner and his work.

Price is what you pay. Value is what you get. When you select a tile and grout cleaner, you'll choose from a wide variety of prices and capabilities. Not surprisingly, having your hard surfaces thoroughly cleaned by a professional costs more than doing it yourself.  If you are going to use the low cost (cheapest) cleaner to do the job, you may actually be better off doing it by yourself. On the other hand - if you want your hard surfaces thoroughly and reliably cleaned--then you have to have it cleaned by a skilled, qualified technician.

DO YOU WANT sparkling CLEAN surfaces?

If all you want is a quick dash and splash cleaning - then I respectfully ask that you call another company. But, if you want to protect your surfaces, and the investment you made, then you're invited to call me.
   

5 RECOMMENDATIONS FOR SPARKLING CLEAN, SURFACES

Recommendation #1 Easy Care Tips To Keep Those Hard Surface Floors Sparkling Clean

At entry to areas with hard surfaces, place entry mats for moisture and soil removal. The less brought in, the less to clean.

Regular vacuuming: Some surfaces don’t always appear to need cleaning, assume it does. As sure as dust settles on a windowsill, so it does on the floors. Be sure to use a vacuum with a floor height adjustment on the lowest setting.

Avoid Spills as much as possible. Hot liquid spills are especially hazardous and also a lot harder to clean up because they can penetrate faster to the surface. Spot removal procedures should be expedited as soon as accidents happen.

After performing a wet cleaning maintenance, open window or utilize fans to get air circulation. The faster it dries the better the results and less chance for rapid soiling.

If area / oriental rugs or throw rugs are used to decorate or ‘soften’ interior hard surfaces, be sure to use non-skid pads for safety. (Available at most flooring stores) The ‘backings’ used by most manufacturers of area rugs are abrasive. Contrary to popular belief the non-skid pads are excellent. It is recommended that they are taken up and floors cleaned under them every four weeks. Chairs and tables in hard floor areas could cause serious damage to floors if legs and corners are not protected. Teflon can be used to prevent abrasive damage caused by the furniture.

If you live in a part of the country affected by ice and snow, be sure to leave shoes that may have liquid deicer or salt on them at the door. Chemicals used in these products cause rapid and irreversible damage.

Dry sand on hard floors in coastal areas should be removed as soon as you find out. Wear patterns and scratches will dull your floor and reduce enhancement efforts.

Allow dwell time for stubborn stains and spots, cleaning products are not magic, the longer they sit on that stubborn Stain the better they work. Extra rinsing may be needed after spot is removed. If a stain appears permanent, DON’T PANIC, call the professional who gave you this valuable information. 732-956-3900

Recommendation # 2: Decide whether you want to work with a reputable, honest, company - or are you willing to risk working with the company that offers the cheapest (lowest) price, knowing that it may be your health at risk and that the company may not be in business tomorrow.

Recommendation # 3: Ask the right questions of a tile and grout cleaner before you hire.
Interview potential tile and grout cleaners by asking the following eight questions:

1) How do I know when my surfaces need cleaning?
2) How often should I get my surfaces cleaned?
3) How long have you been in business?
4) Are you properly insured?
5) What type of equipment do you use?
6)  What training have you had in tile and grout cleaning?
7) Will a trained technician be on site at all times?
8) What is your Guarantee?

Recommendation # 4: Once you are satisfied that you are working with an honest, competent professional, invite him into your office or home and ask for a specific quotation in writing. A written quotation gives you the assurance that you know exactly what your job will cost - no surprises.

Recommendation # 5: A very important and often over looked detail is to sweep and clean high traffic areas frequently, once a week minimum to keep your floors free from dust dirt and debris so that if you spill something it won’t mix with the soil on the floor and carry it into the grout.

By following these five recommendations, you'll gain all the info you need to make an informed, intelligent decision. We'll be happy to answer any questions you have - provide you a cost estimate or come into your home and give you a tile and grout cleaning Audit-without cost or obligation of any kind.

To reach me, call 732-956-3900

THANKS AGAIN for reviewing my Consumer's Guide to Tile and Grout cleaning.
I hope you found this information helpful.
If you have any questions or comments - or if you'd like me to give you an exact written quotation to clean your Tile & Grout - please call AllStates Services at 732-956-3900