A tiled house looks clean, bright, and inviting. However, dirty tiles can quickly affect the appearance of a room. Over time, floor tiles lose their shine because grime, grease, soap scum, and other residue build up on the surface.
At some point, a floor owner will be wondering if they should clean the floor themselves or hire professional tile cleaning services. Light cleaning of tiles can be done by the owner at little to no cost. When there is heavy build up of residue,
We recommend hiring professional cleaning services when the tiles have heavy residue.
This is because cleaning service companies use specialized machines to penetrate the grime better, use specific cleaning products, and have techniques used to facilitate the cleaning.
In the battle of professional cleaning vs DIY, which is better? It’s obvious which is the better option when heavy build up of dirt occurs.Clean and shiny tiles brighten up a room and create an inviting space. Keeping floor tiles sparkly clean is more than routine cleaning, especially because tiles collect ever-increasing layers of dirt and grime and hard to remove stains. Dirt mixed with grime makes grout appear discolored and dull.
DIY tiles cleaning is a tempting and cheap option, especially when the dirt is not too much. It is important to note using regular cleaning products on floor tiles Usually won’t do the trick and in the end, you will end up hiring professional tile cleaning services.
What Is Professional Tile Cleaning?
Professional cleaners use specialised solutions to deep-clean tiles and remove built-up grime.
Professional tile and grout cleaning produce better results when compared to even heavy-duty cleaning equipment and strong commercial cleaning supplies. Trained cleaners can recognise different tile materials and choose suitable cleaning methods to reduce the risk of damage.Professional tile cleaning services eliminate dirt, grime, germs, greasy build-up, and other contaminants on tile surfaces.
Specialized equipment and cleaning solutions used to remove dirt build up and stains are beyond the means of most homeowners. Professional cleaners know which materials different tiles are made from and will use the most suitable cleaning method to prevent damage to your floors.
Depending on the surface, professional cleaners may use methods such as:
High pressure cleaning
Steam clean
Water extraction hot
Specialised tile cleaning products
Cleaning grout
Stain remover
Post cleaning sealing
The ultimate aim is not just to make tiles appear cleaner. It is also to remove embedded dirt from areas that normal mopping can’t reach, especially porous grout lines.
What Is Do-It-Yourself Tile Cleaning?
DIY tile cleaning is cleaning your tiles yourself with household products, tools and techniques.
For regular maintenance, homeowners can generally do basic cleaning with:
vacuum or broom
Microfibre mop
Warm water
Gentle cleaning solution
A bristled Brush
Groutbrush
Fresh towels
For example, DIY cleaning works particularly well when tiles have only light dust, surface dirt, or small spills.”
However, problems can arise if tiles have years of grime, stubborn stains, mould or heavily discoloured grout. In some cases, DIY cleaning methods just won’t bring out the results from deep cleaning by commercial equipment.
Professional Tile Cleaning vs DIY: Key Differences
Both methods serve their own purpose, but differ considerably in terms of cleaning, time, equipment, know-how, and the long standing results.
Cleaning Power
There is one main aspect that matters, and that’s clean power.
For routine cleaning, DIY products can handle light dust and small spills. However, they may struggle with deeper grime and stubborn stains.
With professional cleaning, high powered systems and specialty cleaning solutions clear away grime from tile surfaces and grout lines and break them apart to loosen them.
In contrast, professional cleaning uses powerful equipment and specialised solutions to remove grime from tile surfaces and grout lines.”
As a result, it can provide a deeper clean than regular household cleaning.
In addition, professional cleaners can choose suitable cleaning methods for different tile surfaces.
Cleaning Grout
Grout is often the most difficult part of a tiled surface to clean.
Over time, grout can absorb dirt, moisture, grease, and stains because it is more porous than tiles. As a result, regular mopping may clean the surface but leave darker stains in the grout.
Usually, DIY grout cleaning involves a lot of scrubbing. A brush and appropriate cleaner can improve the appearance but heavily stained grout may still be discoloured.
Professional grout cleaning uses specialized equipment and cleaning solutions and gets way more effective results.
Winner: Cleaning professionals
Effort and time
DIY cleaning may appear less expensive. However, deep grout cleaning can become a time-consuming process.
First, homeowners need to clear furniture and accessories. Then, they may need to vacuum or clean the floor before applying cleaning products.
- Clear all furniture and accessories.
- Vacuum or clean the floor.
- Homeowners will need to use suitable cleaning products.”
- Scrub all grout lines.
- Rinse the area.
- Dry out excess moisture
- Repeat treatment for tough stains.
- Let the area dry up.
This might be okay if it’s a small bathroom or kitchen. Cleaning a large tiled house can be a physically taxing process.
Professional cleaners have specialised equipment and established cleaning procedures that can get the job done, leaving time for homeowners to do other things.
Winners: Professional cleaning companies
Price comparison
For cleaning the tile, DIY cleaning is usually less expensive because you most likely have the cleaning products and machines.
However, you may also have to buy:
- Product for tile cleaning
- grout brushes.
- Cleaning supplies
- Microfibre cloths:
- Protective gear
- Special stain removers
If the problem requires specialised equipment, purchasing or hiring machines can increase the total cost.
Professional tile cleaning does involve a service fee up front, but what you get for that fee is professional equipment, labour, cleaning products and expertise.
If the area is small and the dirt is light, DIY cleaning might be more economical. Professional cleaning is a better value in terms of time and effort for heavily soiled floors or large areas.
Winner: It is dependent upon the situation
Tile Damage Risk
Cleaning the same way for all tiles is not suggested.
Different surfaces require different types of cleaning.Natural stone, ceramic, porcelain, textured tiles and other materials may react differently to cleaning products and pressure.
Incorrect application of the wrong cleaning chemical, using a metallic-bristled brush, or the application of excessive pressure can ruin certain surfaces.
Professionals have worked with various surfaces enough to know how to clean each surface appropriately.
Homeowners should read the care instructions from the manufacturer before using a new cleaning product.
Winner: Professional cleaning
How to Remove Stubborn Stains
Regular dirt is relatively simple to take off. Stubborn stains are another story.
Kitchen and bathroom tiles need to be cleaned often as grease, food stains and soap scum and mineral deposits buildup. Outdoor tiles get mud and organic matter.
Removing some soil and stains can be done with some DIY cleaners but there are times when you will need professional tile cleaning to get the job done.
Professional cleaners can use multiple specialized techniques to remove different types of stains and dirt on your tiles.
Winner: Professional clean
Advantages of DIY Tile Cleaning
DIY cleaning might not be such a bad option. Indeed, regular household maintenance is key to keeping tiles clean in between professional services.
Inexpensive for Routine Maintenance
Routine sweeping, vacuuming and mopping is very inexpensive.
Convenient
Clean your tiles as often as needed, without the need to book an appointment.
Light Dirt Good
In daily situations of spills and dust, do-it-yourself cleaning can easily take care of the situation.
Regular Cleaning is Important
It’s very easy for dirt to stay clean for a short time before looking dirty again.
Issues with DIY Tile Cleaning
DIY is not a bad route, but has limitations.
It Could Take Time
Scrubbing grout and tile surfaces for a deep cleaning can take hours.
Household Products Might Not Cut It
For some stubborn stains and ingrained dirt, more aggressive cleaning techniques are needed.
Wrong products can damage
If you don’t know the tile material, harsh chemicals or abrasive tools can cause problems.
Cleaning Grout Can Be Difficult
A surface clean does not always get rid of dirt deeply embedded in grout.
Results May Not Be Permanent
Dirt left trapped in grout and textured surfaces can cause tiles to become dirty again quickly.
Advantages of Expert Tile Cleaning
Professional tile cleaning has many benefits, not just improving the look of your floors.
More Thorough Clean
Professional equipment is very effective in area cleanings where a traditional mop or brush may not reach.
Better results with grout
Specialist grout cleaning techniques can help restore the look of badly soiled grout.
Save Time
Instead of having to spend hours cleaning, homeowners can pay professionals to clean their houses for them.
Access to Better Technology
Having commercial cleaning equipment means professional cleaners have access to more powerful cleaning technology than the average homeowner.
Choose the Best Way to Clean
Something else that benefits professional cleaners is that they can choose the best way to clean a surface based on its type and its current state.
More attractive appearance
If the tiled surface looks dull, then a professional tile and grout cleaning service can help to freshen up the area and make it look newer.
Good for Big Estates
Large homes, offices, rental properties and commercial spaces can benefit from professional cleaning because it is difficult to manually clean large areas of tiles.
Drawbacks of Professional Tile Cleaning
A few considerations for professional services too.
Greater Upfront Cost
Hiring professionals is more expensive upfront than basic DIY cleaning.
By Appointment Only
They need to schedule a cleaning at a convenient time.
The cleaner matters choice
Not all cleaning companies have the same experience, equipment and quality of service.
You should research a company’s experience, clean reputation, cleaning methods, and service inclusions all before hiring them.
DIY vs. Professional Cleaning
You should consider cleaning your hard surface floors yourself only if the floors are in relatively good condition.
Do it yourself cleaning is customarily performed when:
The top layer of the floor is just soiled.
You clean your floors on a regular basis.
There are no large stains.
There is not a lot of discolouration of the grout.
You have the right cleaning products.
The tiled area is small.
You have time for routine maintenance.
Simple maintenance routine can prevent the dirt from embedding deeply.
When Should You Hire a Professional Tile Cleaner?
Regular household cleaning isn’t getting the job done, professional cleaning is more worth it.
When to consider professional tile cleaning:
Tiles look dull. I mop them often.
The grout is dark or heavily stained.
Lots of grease buildup.
Hard to remove soap scum.
DIY cleaning leads to stubborn stains.
The tiled area is very big.
You are getting a property ready for sale or rent.
You are moving into a new house.
You want a deep cleaning, inside and out.
If you are also getting a property ready for a move, our guide on End of Lease Cleaning Services may help you plan your overall cleaning checklist.
How Often Should You Get Your Tiles Professionally Cleaned?
No one schedule fits all properties.
The best maintenance schedule includes a variety of factors, like how much traffic there is, pets, children, cooking, moisture, and the tiles.
- Approximately:
- For areas where there is a high volume of activity clean on a daily basis with either a broom or vacuum.
- Mop all tile surfaces on a weekly basis.
- Clean all spills and stains when they happen.
- Grout lines and all tile surfaces should be cleaned on a regular basis.
- For surfaces that have extreme build up hire a cleaning professional.
Properties that get a lot of foot traffic may need professional cleaning more often than lightly used properties.
How to Keep Tiles Clean After Professional Cleaning
The best approach is regular maintenance combined with professional cleaning.
Regular Sweeping
Dust and loose dirt can work like abrasives and slowly impact the look of flooring.
Clean up spills right away
Don’t leave food, grease or coloured liquids sitting on tiles for long periods.
Use the Right Products
Stay away from harsh chemicals unless they are recommended for your type of tile.
See the Grout
Don’t focus only on the surface of the tile. Regular attention is needed for the grout too.
Use a Microfibre Mop
Microfibres attract dirt with little scratching.
Don’t Use Too Much Water
Too much moisture can be a problem in areas where grout is porous or where ventilation is poor.
You can also learn more about floor-care in our Tile and Grout Cleaning Guide.
Old Tiles: Can Professional Cleaning Make Them Look New?
Professional cleaning can’t fix every type of tile damage but it can make a huge difference to the look of surfaces with dirt and staining.
If the tiles are structurally sound but just look old because of grime, a deep clean can make a noticeable difference.
However, chipped tiles, deep scratches, permanent discolouration, cracked grout and damaged surfaces may need to be repaired or replaced rather than cleaned.
That’s why it’s important to know whether the problem is dirt related or damage related before you book a cleaning service.
Kitchen & Bathroom Tile Cleaning Services
Kitchens and bathrooms are two places where tiled surfaces are often in need of a little extra touch.
Tiles Kitchen
Kitchen floors and splash-backs can get dirty:
Fat from cooking
Food pieces
Crude.
dust.
Sticky substance
Hard to remove grime and grease eventually call for professional deep cleaning, after regular cleaning helps.
Bathroom Tile
Bathrooms feature
Soap scum
Mineral deposits,
Moisture
Stained grout
General dirt
Despite ventilation and regular cleaning, dirt will continue to build up. Professional cleanings can penetrate built up dirt and grime further.
Is it Worth Getting Your Tiles Professionally Cleaned?
For typical light build-up, DIY cleaning is sufficient.
But professional cleaning is even more valuable when the tiles and grout require a deeper clean. The main benefits are the synergy of specialised equipment, cleaning know-how, time savings and more thorough results.
Instead of seeing professional cleaning as an expense, consider the time and effort you’d have to put in to achieve the same results yourself.
If you’ve got a small space that’s easy for you to manage on your own, DIY might be the way to go. This is particularly the case when you have a lot of stained grout, large areas of tile, stubborn dirt or a property that requires a professional finish, then you might want to think about hiring experienced cleaners.
Why Afford and Best Cleaning?
At Afford and Best Cleaning we know that tiled surfaces need more than an occasional mop to keep them looking fresh and presentable.
We offer a cleaning method for tile and grout that removes built up dirt. Our mission is to develop convenient, consistent, and economic cleaning methods for homes and businesses.
Even the most fastidious cleaner will require aid from a professional cleaning service for heavily soiled surfaces. Having professionals come in to relieve you of some cleaning obligation will also lessen the time spent.
As for other areas in the house, you may wish to see our Professional Carpet Cleaning Services guide for some ideas on how to take care of that area.
Final: Professional Tile Cleaning vs. To restore damaged tile looks, our professional cleaning method cleans dirt from tile and grout effectively. We aim to bring customers the best professional cleaning solutions for homes and businesses at the most affordable prices with the greatest practicality and reliability.
Getting professional cleaning for a heavily soiled surface is the most efficient way to get the job of cleaning a heavily soiled surface done. The same holds true for regular cleaning support.
To learn more about our services for cleaning your carpets, read the advice we give on our Professional Carpet Cleaning Services page.
Final Thought
DIY tile cleaning is perfect for regular maintenance, light dirt and small cleaning jobs. It’s inexpensive and easy, and homeowners should still do basic cleaning even after professional services.
Professional tile cleaning becomes a better option when there are stubborn stains, heavily discoloured grout, accumulated grease or embedded dirt on the surfaces. It can also save a lot of time and effort, especially when cleaning large tiled areas.
The easiest path of action is to combine the two. Clean your tiles regularly yourself and get a deep clean done by the professionals when the surfaces require it.
Treated with regular at home deep cleans and pro cleans, your tiles will remain cleaner and more attractive for longer.
Frequently Asked Questions
Professional Tile Cleaning vs. DIY Cleaning: Which is Better?
There are many pros to getting your tiles professionally done, this includes deep cleans and/or removal of difficult stains. However, you would still want to do your light surface spot removal cleanings yourself.
How often should I have my tiles professionally cleaned?
It depends how busy your home is, and how your tiles hold up, but the majority of people can benefit from simple maintenance cleanings at home, with the occasional deep professional tile cleaning.
Can I clean my tile grout myself?
Sure, light surface grout cleaning can be done with a grout cleaner and soft brush. However, if the grout has been built up with heavy stains over time, a deep cleaning would be more appropriate.
Does professional tile cleaning remove tough stains?
With professional cleaning, many kinds of surface and embedded dirt, grease, soap residue and staining can be removed. However any permanent damage or discolouration may not be able to be cleaned away.
Is it cheaper to clean the tile yourself or hire professionals to do it?
You probably spend less of your money on cleaning it yourself, but compensate with your time, convenience, equipment, and products. It might be worth it to hire professionals to deep clean your tile.
Will professional tile cleaning damage my tiles?
Professional cleaning should be done with methods appropriate to the type of tile. A novice cleaning provider can also damage certain surfaces with the wrong chemicals or too much pressure.
How to maintain tiles after professional cleaning?
Vacuum or sweep regularly, mop with the correct cleaner, clean up spills quickly, don’t use abrasive products and take care of grout lines. These steps can help you make professional cleaning results last longer.
Should I hire some cleaners for my tile floor before I move?
carpet cleaning peoria
If you have tile floors that are currently dirty or have stains from grout that has not been cleaned, it is probably cost effective to have it professionally cleaned before moving out.
As part of a broader end of lease cleaning routine, it could assist in improving the overall presentation of the property.
To find out more, see our End of Tenancy Cleaning Guide.