letters and views Editor’s Note: A recent discussion on the CM/Cleaning & Maintenance Management Online™ Bulletin Board dealt with grout cleaning. Elements of that discussion follow below. Posted By: Bob Desgrange 9/2/2010 I just completed a grout cleaning job tonight and it did not turn out well. The tile is in a restroom; it is black tile and dark grout. The room has a white residue line around the sides of the room. I take that it is from the cleaning service mopping the floor. I sprayed the grout cleaner down and brushed the grout and tile and then turbojet cleaned the tile. Now, instead of the white being 2 inches around the edges, it is 5 inches around the room. There are now lines and circles where the turbojet cleaner moved. I have the vacuum turned way down. I redid the room, let the cleaner set for about 5 minutes, then cleaned again with the same results. Has anyone ran across this problem or have a suggestion on how to clean it? Responses: Ken Galo 9/2/2010 I am going to hazard a guess that this is some type of chemical reaction, maybe with a residue left over from the janitorial staff. Have you tried a neutralizer — just plain vinegar and water solution, let sit and then vacuum it up? Ed Samson 9/2/2010 I’m wondering whether the white is actually a residue on the surface of the tile or an etching or scratching of the tile from the grout cleaner or the brush. Get down close and see which is the case: Residue on the surface or erosion of the surface. Is your grout cleaner a strong acid? Is the tile glazed or unglazed? Mike Kelley 9/2/2010 We had something similar happen to us a few months back. We drenched the floor with a neutral cleaner and scrubbed it using a swing machine and a red pad, mopped it a couple of times and, when it dried, there were patches and circles on top of the tile that looked like scuff and scratch marks. We mopped again and they remained. Once my pulse rate returned, we got down on our hands and knees and used a light abrasive. The marks scrubbed off. I later read that when you’re scrubbing, the grout itself gets a little dispersed and dries on top of the tile, creating the residue. Bob Desgrange 9/2/2010 We are going back tonight to try something else. I will try everything all three of you said. Mike, on your suggestion about the residue from the tile, that is what the cus-tomer thinks it is. It is great to have people like you guys. CM Get involved CM/Cleaning & Maintenance Management Online ™ viewers as well as CM/Cleaning & Maintenance Management ® magazine readers are encouraged to submit letters to the editor on topics of interest to the professional cleaning and maintenance industry. Send letters to the editor to [email protected]. Circle Product Information no. 206 on page 32 8 CM/Cleaning & Maintenance Management ® • October 2010
CMM – Archives Oct 2010: 8
