How to Choose Flooring Gloss Level

What Gloss Level Should I Use On My Floor?

There are three main classifications of gloss when it comes to flooring, 1)high-gloss, 2)semi-gloss or low-gloss, and 3)matte or satin.

Black Spots on Quarry Tile Grout

How do I clean off black spots from grout on Quarry Tile?

It was always frustrating as we never had a simple solution for this. We’ve tried acids and high alkaline strippers with unsatisfactory result from both.

Aqua Mix Grout Haze Clean Up has long been used as an aid in the final cleanup stage of grouting. It can also be used in the cleaning of black pigment from cementicious grout from quarry tile.

Aqua Mix Grout Haze Clean Up was used, undiluted, and we found that the stubborn black pigment stain that had gotten into the quarry tile came off instantly and with minimal effort from a white scrubbie pad.   Best of all, it is not harmful to new grout nor to old grout.

Compliments of Aqua Mix Sales & Service Team

Mannington Ultra Clean NEW & IMPROVED!

Mannington Ultra Clean NOW AVAILABLE!

The first truckload of New & Improved Mannington Ultra Clean has just delivered to our warehouse.  Our Fulfillment Associates are packing orders for Ultra Clean as quickly as possible.  If you haven’t already done so, PLACE YOUR ORDER NOW!

The new, improved Mannington Ultra Clean has been formulated to clean a broader range of Mannington residential floors including no-wax hardwood, laminate, Adura® and porcelain.  Like the original formula, this cleaner is non-toxic, water-based, leaves NO dulling residue and is still available in a 32oz Spray Bottle.

Use the coupon code MUCNEW to take 15% off on your next purchase of Mannington Ultra Clean 32 oz spray. 

Our way of saying, “We appreciate your business!”  

Your time is limited so place your order today!  Coupon expires July 31, 2011.

Cleaning Stains on Natural Stone Tile

Natural Stone occasionally needs more than routine cleaning maintenance.  The location of the stone surface- such as a shower, kitchen or high traffic area- and the type of surface- for example Travertine, Porcelain or Granite- are factors that contribute to the frequency with stone is likely to need extra attention to maintain it’s natural beauty.  For instance, stone floor or walls in a shower will be more susceptible to soap scum and hard water deposits than a stone foyer floor that sees minimal foot traffic.

To remove difficult stains, try Aqua Mix NanoScrub^® which is an abrasive cream cleanser designed to work on stone surface where other cleaners won’t.  NanoScrub utilizes “nano-sized” particles to penetrate into small surface pores where it can effectively remove surface stains and residues. NanoScrub is safe and effective on all types of stone and tile surfaces including acid-sensitive polished marble and limestone.  Works on pencil & rubber marks, mildew stains, grout residue (including epoxy), ground-in dirt and mineral deposits.  Will also remove factory-applied waxes and floor finishes, coating sealers, and most sealer residues.

NanoScrub contains no voc’s  is nontoxic, non-flammable and non-acidic for better indoor and outdoor air quality as compared to similar traditional products.

This and other quality AquaMix products, used for cleaning and maintaining stone tile surfaces, can be found on 1877floorguy.com.

Start to Think @ Spring Cleaning

Spring is around the corner which makes it time to think about SPRING CLEANING!

Yes, I said it!… Spring cleaning.  May not be your favorite part of spring yet it needs to be done and what a great feeling when it is!  You know there will be no more slush or ice melter tracking inside because the weather has turned milder, the grass is greening up and the first flowers of Spring are beginning to bloom.  No more debris tracking into the house hidden in the treads of winter boots. 

Start now, thinking about which cleaning projects you’ll take on this spring.  Is it time to refresh your hardwood floor? Polish your vinyl or linoleum?  Deep clean & reseal stone tile? 

Bona makes it easy to restore your wood floors with Bona Hardwood Floor Refresher and an applicator pad.

Linoleum Floors such as Forbo Marmoleum can be cleaned & finished when the natural Marmoleum shows excessive signs of wear or if you want to add shine to the floor’s appearance.

Stone Surfaces should be resealed when water no longer beads on the surface.  If your stone floor has been overworked this winter, first deep clean with AquaMix Stone Deep Clean then seal with Aqua Mix Sealer’s Choice Gold. 

We sell many brands of floorcare & maintenance products in addition to those listed above.  If you’re unsure what your floor needs but you know it needs help, call our telephone support team for assistance.  They can guide you to the right product for your type or brand of floor.  The phone number is 1-877-356-6748 or 1-877-FLOORGUY.  Phone hours are 9am-5pm Monday through Friday.

Winter FloorCare

Winter snow and ice bring unique challenges to home & business owners.  Among those challenges is maintaining safe, clean floors.

The first line of attack in keeping snow, ice & ice melt products off of a floor is to have clean walk-off mats at each entry door.  If possible, keep a mat in the garage, warehouse or covered porch to catch water and debris from shoes before they enter the living or working space.  Have another mat inside the entry door where shoes & boots can be removed when they are wet.  Even if shoes don’t seem wet it is best to remove them this time of year because ice melt products such as rock salt, ice melt pellets and sand become stuck in the treads of shoes and track throughout your home or business.

Keep a dry rag or paper towels near the entry to conveniently wipe up puddles right away.  Prevent small particles of dirt & debris from scratching hard surface floors by sweeping or vacuuming frequently.  Carpets can be especially challenging because particles of debris fall into the carpet fibers and are not always visible.  Vacuuming carpet routinely is especially important this time of year because the ice melt particles could damage the carpet fibers.

Have an appropriate cleaning product on hand to spot clean residue left behind from melted rock salt or ice melt pellets before they have a chance to damage the floor.  Different types & brands of floors require different cleaning products so choose the cleaning materials that are right for your floor.  Here are some of the best sellers in our store that might fit this need: 

Mannington Ultra Clean, Bona Hardwood Floor Cleaner, Congoleum Bright ‘N Easy No-Rinse Cleaner (pre-mix in a spray bottle), Wilsonart Laminate Floor Cleaner (only avail as concentrate, mix in a spray bottle), DuPont™ StoneTech® Revitalizer® Cleaner and Protector, Host Carpet Dry Cleaner.

If you don’t find the right product for your floor, browse our website by floor type or brand or call us for assistance at 1-877-FLOORGUY (1-877-356-6748).

To sum up winter floor care, do the following on a daily basis:

• Shake-out floor mats (outside or into a utility sink)
• Sweep or vacuum
• Spot clean (with Cleaner) as needed
• Clean entire floor daily if residue or shoe tracks are visible

Follow these tips to keep your floors looking good all winter long!

Update Grout In Three Easy Steps

Here’s a great way to easily update or refresh the look of a tile floor in your home.  Won’t break the bank either!  Aqua Mix makes grout colorant kits.  Easy to use and includes everything you need for most grout coloring projects.  Just about anyone can use do this.  It takes just three basic steps and can be done in a day, ready to walk-on. 

First step is to clean the grout to remove dirt, debris and coatings. To do so, start by sweeping or vacuuming then wet the grout lines with water and spray with the pre-treatment cleaner (included in the kit). Scrub the grout with the white scrub pad (included).  Rinse thoroughly with clean water and allow to dry completely (at least 2 hours) before applying grout color.  Applying colorant before grout is dry will lead to poor adhesion of the color which may result in peeling/flaking.  Follow product label directions for best results.  Not recommended for use on some types of tile nor in certain conditions so read full product instructions prior to use.

Second step is coloring the grout.  Pour your colorant into a small bowl.  If using more than one bottle, mix the bottles together in the bowl to ensure even color since dye lots between bottles can have some variation.  Apply the colorant with the brush (included). You’ll use it much like a paintbrush, but with more back and forth motion, to apply color into all crevices and grooves of the grout.  It is OK to go “out of the lines”.  In step three you’ll go back to clean up tiles where you went out of bounds.  If, when the first coat of color dries, you feel a second coat is required, go ahead after 2 hours.  A second coat is typical when you’re using a light colorant over dark grout.

 When you’re done coloring the grout, allow it to dry until it’s dry to your touch (approx 1 hour) then you’re ready for step three.  Moisten the white scrub pad (same one you used in step one) and carefully use it to clean off the tiles surrounding the grout where you colored out of the lines.  You may need to scrub back and forth a bit on textured tile but the water-based colorant will come clean off the tiles.  A longer wait time to clean tiles was ok during a test we did where we cleaned textured porcelain tiles the next day after applying grout colorant.

When you finish cleaning the excess colorant off of the tiles, you are done.  Grout colorant is dry in two hours.  I like to play things safe, so if possible, especially in a bathroom where the floor can get wet, I’d recommend letting it dry overnight before using the space.

To maintain your tile and colored grout use a stone or tile cleaner formulated for use on the type of tile in your home.  Aqua Shield is a protective routine cleaner by Aqua Mix that can be used on most tiled surfaces.  Read the “USES” section in the product description to see if it right for your application.

Whenever you use a new product on your tile, test a small, inconspicuous area before treating the entire surface.

Stone, Tile & Grout Care Q & A

We frequently get emails from customers with common and unique floorcare questions. We answer these questions directly to the customer who asks and we post many of them on Facebook and (more briefly) on Twitter.  If you find the following stone, tile & grout care tips helpful, “Like Us” on Facebook or “Follow Us” on Twitter for answers to all types of flooring questions.  We post Q & A’s a few times each week.

Remember to “Like Us” on Facebook or “Follow Us” on Twitter for answers to all types of flooring questions.  We post Q & A’s a few times each week.

Q:  Does 1877floorguy.com have product for use on ceramic tile?

A:  We sell a variety of products for ceramic tile.  Here are a few brands that have products for ceramic tile- Aqua Mix,  Bona,  DuPont™ StoneTech®.  In addition, we can answer your questions about  the right maintenance products for the type of tile you have.  Call us at 1-877-356-6748.

Q:  Which DuPont Sealer has a lifetime warranty for use on Marble?

A:  I don’t know of any sealer (by any manufacturer) that has a lifetime warranty. All sealer needs to be reapplied. You may be thinking of DuPont™ StoneTech® BulletProof® Sealer or Heavy Duty Sealer.  Both are recommended for use on natural marble w/ expected wear of 3-5 years when properly maintained. For routine cleaning of sealed Marble, use DuPont™ StoneTech® Revitalizer® Cleaner and Protector or Stone & Tile Cleaner.

Q: My foyer floor is Marble and I’m not sure if I need to seal it.  How can I tell and what Sealer should I use?

A: Place a few drops of water on the marble floor and wait 15 minutes. (This works for any stone surface.) If the water beads up and wipes off without leaving a dark spot then your surface is well sealed. If the water absorbs into the surface then you need to apply Sealer.  For interior use,  DuPont™ StoneTech® Professional Heavy Duty Sealer works well to protect a polished marble floor.  Once sealed, use Revitalizer® Cleaner and Protector, for routine maintenance.

Q:  Can I use AQUA MIX High-Gloss Sealer to seal natural stone in a shower?

A: AQUA MIX High-Gloss Sealer is a topical sealer and is NOT recommended for areas where there maybe standing water. Instead USE a penetrating sealer such as AQUA MIX Sealer’s Choice Gold or AQUA MIX Penetrating Sealer.

Q: Can I use AQUA MIX grout colorant over epoxy grout?

A: AQUA MIX Grout Colorant can be applied over epoxy grout. Coverage is 50 to 300 sq. ft. per kit depending on the width and porosity of grout joints. For best accuracy use the Coverage Chart.

Q: I use Bona Hardwood Floor Cleaner for wood floors in my house.  It seems like such a gentle cleaner, can I use it on my bathroom ceramic tile?

A.  For tile floors (stone & laminate also) use Bona Stone, Tile & Laminate Cleaner which is formulated for this type of floor. If you’re already using the Bona Floor Cleaning System for hardwood, you can use the same Microfiber Mop & Cleaning Pad which makes this an economical choice.  The Bona ST&L Cleaner is available in 32oz Spray & Spray Mop Cartridge.  However if your floor is under warranty, check the warranty before you buy cleaner. Flooring manufacturers often require a particular cleaner to uphold warranty.

Fall for the Best Time to Get Back to Floorcare Basics

Autumn the perfect time to get back to floorcare routines that keep your floors looking GREAT.  It may even be time for your floor to get an extra bit of TLC to really shine before the winter holidays set in.

There are many types of floors that require different routines however they all have one thing in common- 

• All floors need to be cleaned and maintained on a routine basis in order to keep looking good. 
• There is no such thing as a “maintenance-free” floor. 

Many flooring manufacturers maintain care instructions on their websites for easy reference. Some recommend specific floor care products for cleaning and maintenance.  The floor’s warranty will tell you if using a specific product is required in order to uphold the manufacturer’s warranty.  Look up instructions for your floor if you know who made it. 

Hardsurface floors: 

Sweep or vacuum!  I can’t emphasize enough that routine sweeping or vacuuming  is a must (vacuum should be in good condition and on the correct setting for hardsurface floors) for all hard surface flooring- including hardwood, laminate, vinyl, linoleum, stone and tile.  This keeps small particles of dirt and debris, which can cause microscopic scratches and dulling of your floor’s finish, off the floor.  The higher the gloss level of your floor’s finish, the more evident the scratches will be.  Stone and tile are the most resistant to scratches however the grout lines will collect dirt if left unswept.  I’m often asked how often a person should sweep their floor.  I typically reply that it depends on how much use and traffic the floor gets.  A floor that is lived-on daily by a family of four (or more) is likely going require sweeping daily.  For a person who lives alone the same floor may only need to be swept once each week.

Basic routine maintenance also involves cleaning.  Like sweeping, the frequency with which your floor should be cleaned varies between households.  Use your good judgment based on the amount of traffic on your floor.  Many hardsurface floors can be easily cleaned with a no-rinse spray cleaner and a microfiber mop.  This includes urethane-finished hardwood, laminate, stone & tile.  Each type of floor requires a different cleaning product (so always read labels) however the idea is the same across the board.  Clean the floor in small sections to avoid the sprayed cleaner from drying before you get a chance to wipe it.  Bona & Basic  both have popular spray cleaners for use on urethane wood floors (and more).  These are reputable floor care products that are not directly linked to a specific flooring manufacturer.  If you know the brand of your wood floor, check to see what the flooring manufacturer recommends before purchasing cleaner & care products.  Several flooring manufacturers have their own brand of cleaner that is specifically formulated for use on their floor.  Websites, such as www.1877floorguy.com carry most manufacturer specific floor care products such as Mannington Ultra Clean and Bruce Dura Luster which are formulated for cleaning wood and laminate floors made by these companies.  Several spray cleaners, like the Ultra Clean and DuraLuster, are intended for use on multiple types of flooring surfaces.  Wilsonart Ready Mix Spray is a laminate and linoleum floor cleaner.  Bona makes a stone, tile & laminate cleaner.  These can be economical cleaning products if you’ve got more than one type of flooring materials in your home so do some research before you buy.  For cleaning stone & tile well-known products are made by AquaMix and DuPont StoneTech .  Among the available products are easy to use spray & wipe cleaners.  These quality routine cleaners, AquaMix’s AquaShield and DuPont StoneTech Revitalizer, both contain cleaning agent and sealer to protect the stone surface as it cleans (sealing is very important for natural stone).  AquaMix and StoneTech also offer products for deeper cleaning (occasional use) such as Grout Deep Clean to remove stubborn grout stains or KlenzAll for cleaning soap scum and mildew from natural stone.

Tips to keep in mind when using spray & wipe cleaners:

• Always use a clean microfiber pad.  Bona’s microfiber cleaning pads are machine washable and you can purchase replacement pads so you’ve always got a clean one ready to go.
• If the floor feels sticky after cleaning, according to product directions, you’ve used too much cleaner or sprayed to large an area and did not wipe sufficiently with the microfiber mop.  Repeat cleaning procedure in sticky areas to resolve this problem.
• For visibly dirty spots that don’t come clean on the first pass, put a little elbow grease into your wiping with the microfiber mop or use a separate cloth to get really tough spots. I haven’t had a spot on my wood floors yet that wouldn’t come clean.  When cleaning stone & tile it is ok to introduce water along with cleaning agents to work out a tough stain.  For wood and laminate floors water is a no-no.
• Keep a spray bottle of cleaner under your kitchen or bathroom sink for spot cleaning.  The cleaning products will tell you to use a microfiber cloth however I’ve found paper towels to work well for cleaning small messes, like spilled juice, on my wood floor.
• Only use cleaner recommended for use on your type of floor (urethane wood, laminate, natural stone, etc).  Each type of cleaner is formulated for use on specific type(s) of floor(s).  Using the wrong type of cleaner can have dreadful results.

Waxed wood floors require a completely different cleaning regiment.  Routinely, a waxed wood floor should only be swept and spot cleaned.  If spot cleaning is needed, use a cleaner formulated for use on a waxed hardwood floor such as Bruce Lite-n-Natural or Bruce Dark-n-Rich Liquid Paste Wax with Cleaner.  You’ll use the same cleaner when your floor needs to be completely cleaned and waxed which should be done every 6 months to a year.  The Bruce Liquid Paste Wax with Cleaner is an all-in-one product that takes care of cleaning and waxing thereby reducing the number of steps in the process.  Waxed wood floors require a buffer machine which you can typically rent from a local hardware store.  More information on cleaning waxed wood floors can be found in the blog post, Surprise! Wood Floors Under the Carpet! Wax or Urethane Finish?

Carpet:

Like hardsurface floors, carpet also requires routine maintenance to keep dirt and debris from becoming ingrained into the floor and dulling it’s appearance. The #1 rule is vacuum! Vacuuming will pick up loose dirt and debris left behind from foot traffic, food crumbs, etc. and it will lift the carpet pile which becomes especially matted down in high traffic areas. You can’t really overdo vacuuming so however often you can, do it. Your vacuum needs to be in good working condition in order to pick-up dirt. If you notice it’s not picking up visible dirt, take it to a service center for repair or get a new vacuum if the one you’re using is very old. The lint bag should be changed with some frequency since a full bag will generate dust into the air landing on the carpet. Vacuuming around the edges of the room where carpet meets wall is often missed because the vacuum itself can only get so close to the wall. Dirt build-up in these areas will eventually look like a dark rim around the edges of the room. Using the vacuum’s crevice tool around all edges of the room every few months will eliminate this problem.

When we talk about cleaning carpets we need to include periodic maintenance and spot cleaning.  Periodic maintenance involves wet or dry cleaning your carpet.  I am a firm believer in dry cleaning carpets.  Wet or steam cleaning introduces water to your carpet which can damage carpet fibers, cause buildup of mold & mildew and require more than a day to dry leaving the room unusable for the duration.  Dry cleaning is much less invasive, removes dust and mold spores from the carpet, can be walked on immediately after cleaning and is safe to use on all types of carpet from synthetics to wool.  Host is my dry carpet cleaning system of choice because of the approval level of their products, proven effectiveness and ease of use.  The Host website has great information to help you determine if it is the right system for your carpet, where to rent a machine (not much bigger than an upright vacuum), and how much cleaner to buy.  Often you can purchase the cleaner where you rent the machine or check online retailers also where more sizes and products may be offered (machines can only be rented local to you).  Host has small shaker packs of cleaner that can be used for spot or small area cleaning and don’t require use of the machine.  These packs are great to keep on hand for spot cleaning.

Protect your work!

furniture glide under coffee table leg

Protect your floor and your efforts to clean your floor by putting protectors on the feet or base of furniture.  Felt protectors on the bottom of chairs and table legs keeps hardsurface floors from getting scratched when the furniture is moved.  Think about how many times a chair is pushed in and out from a table and the damage that does to a floor.  Round felt protectors cost between 16- 30 cents each and come in different sizes and quantities. Is there value in these felt protectors? Absolutely!  For carpeted areas, furniture glides can be used permanently under pieces that are moved frequently.  For instance, I have the 2-3/4” glides under my family room coffee table that is often moved to allow space for playing Wii.  The light grey blends into my beige carpet so they’re barely noticeable.  I think the legs would have snapped off or the berber carpet would have come unraveled if it weren’t for the glides. 

 www.1877floorguy.com is dedicated to helping customers properly clean and care for floors by providing popular and hard to find quality floor care products.  Try one of these quality products to routinely clean your floor and we’ll extend a 10% discount when you enter coupon code FGBLOG at checkout.

Summer is Here…Time to Clean the Vacation Home!

Whether you’re headed to your vacation home at the beach, lakeside or in the mountains, your first trip is likely to have your car loaded up with some or all of the following… kids, pets, boogie boards, beach chairs, fishing poles, tackle box, coolers, bed sheets, towels, toilet paper and the list goes on and on.  While you’re trying to fit all of this into your vehicle and realizing what a tight squeeze it is, remember… cleaning supplies to get rid of the must and dust that has settled into your vacation home during the winter months!

Have no fear… (1877)Floorguy is Here!  Before you leave for your lazy, crazy, hazy days of summer, take a few minutes to log on to www.1877floorguy.com, place your order for cleaning supplies and have it ship to your summer address.  This way, you won’t have to fit it into your car which leaves more space for lounge chairs, inner tubes, beach umbrellas, etc.  Don’t wait until you get there to buy it at the local grocer who will have a small selection at summer prices.  Shop smart at www.1877floorguy.com! 

Check out our Top Picks for Summer 2010.  We’ve included products that take care of mold, odors and stains and convenient, easy to use items that will make cleaning your home away from home a breeze.  Then use our Shipping Calculator to estimate how far in advance you should place your order so it’s there when you arrive.  This feature is further explained in How Can I Reduce My Floorguy Shipping Costs Without Sacrificing Service blog.     

 Top Picks for Summer 2010:

Bona Spray Floor Mop with Refillable Hardwood Cleaner Cartridge will make cleaning hardwood floors easy with its all-in-one design, just pull the spray handle and mop. It’s that easy!  Comes with a Refillable Cartridge (we sell economical gallon size for refilling the cartridge) however, if you’re feeling kicked back and relaxed, you can order additional Hardwood Cleaner Cartridges for your mop.  Just replace it and you’re ready to go.  All we ask is that you, please, recycle the empty cartridges.  

The same Bona Spray Floor Mop can also be used with the Refillable Stone, Tile & Laminate Cleaner Cartridge to easily clean hard surface floors in your vacation home such as stone, tile and laminate.

DuPont StoneTech Revitalizer Cleaner & Protector is a popular choice for cleaning and maintaining natural stone & ceramic tile surfaces often found in foyers, kitchens and bathrooms.  Available in spray or disposable wipes the Revitalizer Cleaner & Protector comes in two great scents,  Cucumber and Citrus, and the built-in sealer protects the surface of the stone while it cleans for a worry-free surface.  No need to rinse.  Just clean and go.  This allows more time for you to enjoy fun in the sun!

Great for routine bathroom & kitchen cleaning, AquaKleen is a multi-purpose basin, tub and tile cleaner that effectively cleans even soiled grout joints.  The No VOC, water-safe formula is approved for use on ceramic surfaces, natural stone, tile, porcelain, grout, plastic, glass, fiberglass, cultured marble, metal surfaces laminate, and fixtures which will give you peace of mind that a guest staying at your house, while you’re not there, won’t use the “wrong” cleaner because it’s hard to go wrong with AquaKleen.

Grout-Aide is a great quick fix for grouted tile floors that have stains on the grout that just wouldn’t come clean at the end of last season. Or maybe the grout just looks dingy.  With very little effort Grout-Aide covers the stains and dries quickly.  Grout-Aide comes in 5 different colors.  More information on this product can be found in our Quick-Fix for Dirty Grout blog.

Vital-Oxide is a must-have if mold or mildew has taken root or if you’re concerned about bacteria anywhere in your home. Eliminates 99.9% of bacteria on a wide range of surfaces in your home including counters, floors, mattresses, upholstery and in the laundry.  Vital Oxide is a broad-spectrum antimicrobial disinfectant, safe for use around children and pets. Ready-to-use formula available in 32oz Spray or Gallon Size.

Odorcide 210 is used alone, or with Vital-Oxide when a disinfectant is required, to neutralize and eliminate strong, adverse odors in the home.  Extremely effective and safe on a wide range of surfaces including wood, carpet, upholstery, laminate, tile.  No residue, non-irritant, safe for use around people and pets.  Available ready-to-use or concentrate.

Three can’t-go-wrong spot cleaners for carpet.  All proven effective and easy to use to quickly remove stains from carpet.  Don’t worry if your son spills his chocolate milk, the dog has a little “accident” or your husband tracks grease in from the bbq.  Here are three convenient carpet spot cleaners to have on hand that can clean-up the mess:

Spot Shot removes both oil-based and water-based stains without leaving any residue or ring behind.

Capture Carpet Spot Eliminator works great on grease and oil based stains.

Host Dry Carpet Cleaner Shaker Pack is a dry carpet cleaner that absorbs stains, reduces allergens such as dust mites, mold and pet dander, has no drying time.

 We’ve got many more fabulous floor cleaning & maintenance items at 1877Floorguy.com, hundreds of products to keep your floors looking their best including equipment and tools, such as Bona Kemi Mops & Microfiber Covers and Manufacturer Supplied Care Kits such as Bruce Wood Flooring Maintenance Kit and Quick Step Laminate Cleaning Kit.  We carry many hard to find floor care items so, if you don’t find what you need on our website, call us at 1-877-Floorguy (1-877-356-6748). 

Thanks for taking the time to see our Top Picks for Summer Cleaning.  Place your order today and take a 10% discount off your order by using coupon code “FGBLOG”.  We appreciate your business and wish you a Wonderful Summer!

PNC Bank -Great Results with Dr. Schutz SlipNoMor

Dr. Schutz SlipNoMor Satin Finish was recently applied to an existing Nurazzo floor in the foyer of PNC’s Meadville, PA Bank Branch to evaluate the product’s ability to improve slip resistance on this existing foyer floor to meet ADA Requirements.

With the SlipNoMor Finish, this floor is now ADA Compliant for Slip Resistance and has an appealing Satin sheen that will be easy for the bank to maintain.

WaxNoMor with SlipNoMor Additive on Nurazzo Foyer Floor

Close Up of SlipNoMor on Nurazzo

The Dr. Schutz family of products works together to complete and maintain a floor finish application, from prep to cleaning & maintenance. If you think Dr. Schutz SlipNoMor or WaxNoMor might work for an application in your business, call SchutzNA directly to discuss your project at 1-877-272-4889 x 1.

Quick-Fix for Dirty Grout

If you need a quick fix for dirty, stained grout on tiled areas in your home, Grout-Aide Markers are a great solution. Grout-Aide is likely the easiest and quickest way to refresh the look of tiled spaces It can’t fix all of your grout woes but it will greatly improve the appearance of grout lines.

Grout-Aide is an effective solution if…

…Your In-Laws are coming to see your new house (which was built in 1965) and you know, as you survey your small downstairs bathroom, your Mother-in-Law will have something (negative) to say about the old tile floor. Grout-Aide Markers are a quick, inexpensive way to refresh the look of this floor. It’s fast-drying and odorless so you can get the job done in record time and at a price you can afford. Your Mother-in-Law will not be able knock the “dirty” bathroom tile because it will look clean and fresh!

…You’re putting your house up for sale and your Realtor suggests you have the kitchen tile floor re-grouted so the home “shows better”. “After all,” she says, “the kitchen is the heart and soul of a home.” Before you turn to this costly and messy option, try Grout-Aide Markers. If the grout is dingy and stained, but otherwise in good shape, you can use Grout-Aide to make the grout look like new at a fraction of the cost (and mess) of re-grouting.

Here’s how it works…

Grout-Aide is a water-based permanent paint marker that is odorless and non-toxic. The quick-drying paint covers stubborn stains leaving a uniform finished grout line. If some of the paint gets on the tiles just wipe off within 5 minutes to remove. No harsh chemicals and no fumes so it is safe for use in an environment with pets and children.

Application tips…

Grout-Aide Markers are available in five colors –White, Buff, Almond, Grey and Charcoal Grey. Select the color closest to your current grout color (or the color you think your grout would be if it were new) and give it a try with a 10% discount from www.1877Floorguy.com. Just enter coupon code FGBLOG when you order online.

How to Remove Efflorescence from Tile, Stone, Masonry, Grout

Efflorescence, according to www.britannica.com, is a spontaneous loss of water by a hydrated salt, which occurs when the aqueous vapor pressure of the hydrate is greater than the partial pressure of the water vapour in the air… These salts effloresce (i.e., lose all or part of their water of hydration) and their surfaces assume a powdery appearance.

This “powdery” appearance, or efflorescence, can be troublesome because it is often flagged by home inspectors, during the home sale process, as potential signs of a moisture problem. Efflorescence can be removed, and inhibited, from the surface of most natural stone, masonry, tile and grout. Before getting started, it is a good idea to investigate the source and level of moisture to determine if it is within normal range prior to treating the surface.

Treatable Surfaces:
•Natural stone (such as marble, granite, slate, travertine and limestone), porcelain, quarry, Saltillo, terra cotta, cement pavers, masonry surfaces and other porous tile and grout.
•Interior and Exterior Surfaces.
•Note: Polished stone may be dulled by the efflorescence removal process. Re-polishing may be required. Test a small, inconspicuous area before full use.

Materials:
Aqua Mix Eff-Ex, mop or sponge (depending on the application), scrub brush, clean water and bucket. Where appropriate, a high-pressure washer or scrub machine may be used.

To Remove Efflorescence:
1.Apply undiluted Aqua Mix Eff-Ex to the surface using a mop or sponge. (For best results, pre-wet the surface, avoid puddling, and remove excess water before applying Eff-Ex).
2.Allow solution to dwell on surface 30-60 minutes. Go towards the longer end of this range for more severe efflorescence. Do not allow the solution to dry on the surface. Reapply as needed. If covering a large area, you may need to work in sections.
3.Agitate with a scrub brush or scrub machine.
4.Thoroughly rinse with clean water. (High-pressure washer may be used if appropriate.)
5.Mop or wet-vac up dirty water & solution.
6.Heavily built-up efflorescence may require additional applications or longer dwell time.
7.Allow to dry 24 hours before applying Sealer or follow steps below to Inhibit Future Efflorescence.

To Inhibit Future Efflorescence:
1.After completing the removal process, apply a thin coat of Aqua Mix Eff-Ex to the surface using a mop or sponge.
2.Scrub into the surface with a scrub brush or scrub machine.
3.Wipe dry.
4.Repeating this process may be required to fully inhibit.
5.Allow to dry 24 hours before applying Sealer.

Important Notes:
•Efflorescence can be cleaned from sealed surfaces but Eff-Ex will not inhibit future efflorescence unless sealer is removed prior to treating.
•Polished stone surfaces may become etched by efflorescence removal process. Always test an inconspicuous area prior to treating full surface, regardless of surface material.
•If efflorescence has been allowed to crystallize on surface, it may be necessary to use an acidic cleaner. Check surface application prior to use because this may etch certain stone surfaces.
•Always read full product instructions prior to application.

If you need help determining the amount of product you’ll need to cover the area to be treated, call 1-877-Floorguy for assistance. When ordering on-line, use coupon code FGBLOG to receive a 10% discount when you order from www.1877Floorguy.com. Our way of saying, “Thanks!” for checking out our blog.

Where To Find Manufacturer Recommended Floor Care Products

Residential Flooring Manufacturers devote many dollars to developing floor care and maintenance products specific to the floor(s) they produce. These products are carefully formulated, for each type of flooring the manufacturer produces to leave the floor residue-free, maintain the integrity of the floor’s surface finish without compromising slip resistance or shine and it needs to be the safest possible for people, pets and the environment. Important? You bet!

Using the Manufacturer Recommended floor care & maintenance products on your new floor, in accordance with Manufacturer guidelines, will keep the floor you purchased looking great and it will uphold the Warranty on your floor if you should have a claim. The big question has long been, “Where can I buy the product recommended by the Manufacturer?”

The flooring industry has a missing link when it comes to selling floor care & maintenance products. The flooring industry’s distribution chain, that has been in place for as long as I can remember, is from Manufacturer to Distributor to Retailer. This works like a well-oiled machine for flooring materials. Distributors buy in bulk from Manufacturers and the Retailers order from their Distributor to manage the amount of material they need to inventory. Since this works for flooring materials, it should also work for floor care & maintenance products, right? Wrong.

More often than not, Retailers don’t carry the care & maintenance products that Manufacturers require to uphold their flooring Warranties. The truth is that they likely did when they first brought on the line of flooring because the Manufacturer probably had a spiffy display that was offered for the Care & Maintenance Products as part of their kick-off package however, when that initial supply was depleted, they never replenished the stock. This happens for several reasons.

Flooring Retailers & Distributors have their focus on flooring materials, not care & maintenance products, because flooring material is their primary business and where most of their profits are generated. When they do try to track down the care & maintenance products they find that the Manufacturer is also more focused on the flooring products and they are not always able to obtain the care & maintenance products because their Distributor has trouble procuring them from the Manufacturer. You can see this doesn’t go very far in getting the products to the End Users.

You won’t find the Manufacturer Recommended Floor Care Products in Big box stores either because there is not enough in volume sales for them. Each flooring product in the marketplace has approximately 3 floor care product sku’s (each item has a unique sku) associated with it. Multiply this by the hundreds of flooring products out there and the total equals too many different products for a big box store that focuses on high volume and low cost.

The result- Customers, who buy new floors, become frustrated and may turn to easily available generic floor care products to maintain their new floor. This often backfires because the generic product may leave a cloudy film, etch the finish, create too much moisture, stain or dull the original shine. Depending on the product- cleaner, polish, stain remover, refresher, etc- the result of the generic product may or may not be reversible. Situations like this often wind up as Claims filed with the Manufacturer because the Customer believes the floor to be defective. They rarely see a Claim settle in their favor if they haven’t followed the Manufacturer’s care & maintenance guidelines. If only they could find the floor care products recommended by the Manufacturer to uphold their warranty…

This is where the specialty e-store fills the missing link. 1877Floorguy.com carries over 1000 sku’s, specializing in Manufacturer recommended Floor Care & Maintenance Products. This website has such a large selection of Manufacturers and Products, organized by type of floor and by Manufacturer, that you will likely find the exact item you are looking for along with helpful tips or advise on how to use it. If you don’t find the answer on the website, call 1-877-Floorguy and one of the staff members, each has been doing this for 8+ years, will answer your questions and guide you with expertise. If you don’t see the product you’re looking for, ask! because 1877Floorguy.com is adding new products all the time. Best of all, most products are in stock and ready to ship next business day. To help you get started with the right maintenance products for your floor, use coupon code ”FGBLOG” for a 10% discount.

Hopefully more Retailers will recognize that they can guide their Customers to 1877Floorguy.com to buy maintenance & care products for their new floor. This will make their Customers happy and they’ll go back to that Retailer again for new floors. We’ll never compete for the flooring materials business because our specialty is the products to keep floors clean and maintained.

It has taken some convincing, within the industry, but Manufacturers are beginning to see the importance of breaking the supply chain mold to better serve the end users.

Think Green for Floor Cleaning Products – Part II

The trend is obvious when you view the manufacturer links in Part I to this blog. Manufacturers are “greening” their manufacturing processes and their business cultures. Each touts the strides they have made towards environmental stewardship using words like “reducing VOCs, sustainable resources, recycling, improving indoor air quality.” These are all great steps towards a better environment that are measured by organizations that award approvals and certifications as a way for consumers to interpret the progress.

Let’s continue our look at greener cleaners for different types of floor coverings with hardwood & laminate cleaners as our next stop …

As part of the “all natural” Mohawk Floorcare Essentials line, approved by DfE, Mohawk has included a non-toxic Hardwood & Laminate Floor Cleaner made from natural, renewable ingredients. When a product, like this one, is given the DfE Approved label, it indicates that the product, not only, contributes to a lesser impact on both human and environmental health, it also works as well or better than other cleaners in its class.

Bona, a company focused on wood floor care, continually strives to launch effective products with lesser impact on the environment. They do this by using recyclable materials in production and by developing non-toxic formulas, minimizing the harmful effects on people and downstream water pollution. Bona, a leader in the industry, offers a waterborne hardwood floor cleaner that is non-toxic, GREENGUARD Indoor Air Quality Certified, GREENGUARD Certified for Children & Schools, fulfills LEED points and meets CHPS and CA 01350 criteria for indoor air quality. The Bona cleaner is safe for the floor, family and environment and is effective in keeping your wood floor clean. In my home I use the Bona Spray Mop and Cleaner Refill Cartridges and my experience with this product has been great.

Moving on to Tile & Grout Cleaners…

Mohawk Floorcare Essentials has a Tile & Grout Cleaner. This, like the rest of the product line, is DfE Approved, made with natural ingredients and non-toxic.

Host Dry Extraction Carpet Cleaning System, which we took a look at in Part I for carpet cleaning, has also been used successfully to deep clean grouted tile floors. The Host website has a good illustration of this. A test area is recommended before full use. Typical use is commercial or institutional. Host products are Green Seal Certified, EPP Approved and LEED Qualified.

Several new acronyms and organizations have been introduced in the sections above. Here is what they mean to you…

GREENGUARD Environmental Institute focuses on indoor air quality. GREENGUARD is an industry-independent, non-profit organization that establishes standards and testing for indoor products. Their goal is to improve public health by helping manufacturers build safer products that will not pollute the air with harmful levels of dangerous chemicals or particulates. GREENGUARD awards several types of certification. GREENGUARD Indoor Air Quality Certified indicates that a product performs well in testing for low chemical emissions. GREENGUARD Certified for Children & Schools maintains an even higher standard for low-emitting interior use products and materials adhering to the performance guidelines in California Code Section 01350 (CA 01350) pertaining to indoor air quality. A product that meets CA 01350 is also LEED qualified and CHPS (Collaborative for High Performance Schools) approved.

CHPS (Collaborative for High Performance Schools) helps to facilitate high performance learning environments that are not only energy and resource efficient, but also healthy, comfortable, well lit, and containing the amenities for a quality education. CHPS and CA 01350 are considered to be leaders in improving indoor air quality standards.

I hope this blog leaves you more informed than you were before and gives you resources to use in determining what products are safest or most environmentally friendly. There is not one clear-cut answer because there are many approvals and certifications by various organizations and government agencies. Consumers need to use their best judgment in deterring which manufacturers or products are really doing something responsible for our environment and which are just blowing a lot of hot air (pardon the non-ecological idiom). There are many good products out there, several are mentioned in this blog and in Part I to this blog. My advice is to read labels, check websites and ask questions to draw conclusions about what is most effective in helping you to meet your “Green” goals.

Think Green for Floor Cleaning Products – Part I

What is a green floor cleaning product? Is it about a manufacturer’s efforts to conserve natural resources and recycle? Does it mean that the floor cleaner will help you to conserve water or energy? What will be its effect on indoor air quality? Is it safe when it comes in contact with your skin?

The more I’ve researched the vast topic of “green”, the more certifications and approvals I find. This “bit of information” I planned to share in my blog just kept getting bigger and bigger so I’ve decided to break it down into smaller bites for you. This is Part I. Look for Part II coming soon!

Manufacturers of floor cleaning products are changing what they make and how they make it. As products change to meet consumer demand for “green”, industry and government have introduced a range of certifications, approvals and standards. It can be difficult to navigate through the acronyms and organizations that certify and approve products so here is a guide on a few that I’ve come across. I am not endorsing any one certification, merely summarizing the information so you can draw your own conclusions and better understand what each means.

Green Seal Certified, EPP Approved, LEED qualified, and DfE Approved are “green” approvals I came across while looking into environmentally friendly carpet cleaning products. The organizations behind these approvals and certifications also evaluate other types of products as you’ll see in my next blog. “Green” takes on different meanings, depending on the type of approval or certification and the goal of the certifying organization.

Host Dry Extraction Carpet Cleaning System is a full line of carpet cleaning products from spot cleaners to 6lb or 12lb boxes of cleaner used in the Host Dry-Clean Machine. These Host products are Green Seal Certified, EPP Approved and can contribute points for LEED qualification. The inherent nature of this dry carpet cleaning system conserves water because none is needed, conserves energy because water doesn’t need to be heated and fans don’t need to be run for drying the carpet because the carpet never gets wet. Host Dry Carpet Cleaning System reduces the risk of mold and allergans, often associated with wet-carpet cleaning, thereby producing better indoor air quality.

Shaw R2x Green Stain & Soil Remover is a carpet spot cleaner that is DfE Approved by the EPA (different approval than Host) and intended for use on stain resistant and wool carpets and water safe fabrics. Shaw, as a manufacturer, has made great strides towards environmental stewardship in their manufacturing process and improving indoor air quality by reducing chemical emissions in the products they make. You can read more about the Shaw Green Edge on their website.

Mohawk Floorcare Essentials is a line of “all natural”, non-toxic products including Carpet Stain Remover, Carpet Care Kit and Odor Eliminator. These carpet cleaners, like Shaw R2x, are DfE Approved. Mohawk has a corporate environmental policy that emphasizes reducing, reusing and recycling materials in every aspect of their business. Mohawk continues to look for new ways to responsibly use raw materials and natural resources to reduce the impact on the environment.

What does all of this mean to you?
Green Seal Certified and EPP Approved (Environmentally Preferable Purchasing) both focus on the impact that manufacturing and materials used have on the environment.

Green Seal Certified means that evaluation has been conducted by the non-profit organization, Green Seal, and that the product reduces impact on the environment and on human health based on its use of raw materials, manufacturing process and recycling or disposal methods for the product. Green Seal Certified also indicates that the product works as well as or better than others in its class.

EPP Approved (Environmentally Preferable Purchasing) tells you the product has a reduced impact on human health and the environment when compared to other products that serve the same purpose. This comparison applies to raw materials, manufacturing, packaging, distribution, use, reuse, operation, maintenance, and disposal. The primary purpose of EPP Approval, given by the Federal EPA (Environmental Protection Agency), is to help agencies across the federal government comply with green purchasing requirements. The EPA website publishes a list of approved products. My experience has been that the list can be difficult to navigate so you may want to check the manufacturer’s website first if you’re looking for a specific product.

LEED qualification is geared primarily towards commercial buildings. LEED, developed by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), is an internationally recognized green building certification system aimed at improving building performance as it pertains to energy savings, water efficiency, reduction of CO2 emissions, improved indoor environmental quality, and responsible use of resources and sensitivity to their impacts on the environment. LEED provides building owners and operators a concise framework for identifying and implementing practical and measurable green building design, construction, operations and maintenance solutions. Floor cleaning products that are EPP approved also meet LEED requirements.

DfE, Design for the Environment, focuses on a product’s direct effect on people and on the use of sustainable ingredients. DfE is another EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) program that works with environmental organizations and industry. DfE’s, “Safer Product Labeling Program” promotes protecting families and the environment. Individual products are evaluated for their impact on both human and environmental health and for their ability to perform as well or better than other products in their class.

That’s all for this blog. Stay tuned for Part II –Hardwood & Laminate Cleaners, Tile & Grout Cleaners, GREENGUARD, CHPS, CA01350…

Change Grout Color on a Tile Floor… So Many Reasons Why

There are many reasons why individuals want to change the Grout Color on their Tile Floor.
Maybe one of these situations has happened to you…

“Help! I just installed a New Tile Floor in my Kitchen and the Grout Color did not turn out as I thought it would. Am I stuck with it?”

“My Bathroom Floor is Stained and Discolored in the Grout around the toilet. Looks like rust stains. I can’t seem to clean it no matter what I use. Any suggestions?”

“I’m getting ready to sell my house and my Realtor says that my bathroom floor looks dingy and dated. How can I update the floor without replacing the whole thing?”

The answer to all of these questions is Grout Colorant and you don’t have to be a professional to do the job. (A great DIY project!) There are key steps to follow for good results such as read and adhere to directions on the product label, clean and pretreat according to directions and be sure to allow enough drying time for each step of the process.

Your best bet is to buy a kit so you’ve got everything you need for the job. Aqua Mix has a Grout Colorant Kit that comes in 24 different colors. The kit includes an 8oz. bottle of AquaMix Pre-Treatment Cleaner, 8oz. bottle of Aqua Mix Grout Colorant, Grout Brush, and Scrub Pad. *Tip: You can mix colors if you want to customize.

Pre-Treatment Cleaner is the first critical step because it etches the surface of the Grout and removes any finishes or cleaners that may be on the Grout allowing the Colorant to adhere when it’s applied. *Tip: If Pre-Treatment Cleaner is not used as directed, Grout Colorant will not adhere well to the Grout and may peel.

The Aqua Mix Grout Colorant goes on like paint with the Grout Brush and bonds to the surface of the Grout (after the grout has been pre-treated). The Colorant contains a sealant so it seals the Grout as it dries making future cleaning easier and the Grout less likely to hold stains. If you go outside the lines of the grout during application, you will have an opportunity to wipe off excess Grout Colorant after 2 hours. The Colorant is water-based so it cleans up easily and doesn’t have a caustic odor. Do a test area on your floor before you tackle the whole job. The results of this test area will help you determine the optimum time for the Colorant to dwell on the tile before cleaning up. You may find that you need to allow more than 2 hours before cleanup. *Tip: Don’t scrub the grout lines during cleanup because Colorant is not completely dry at this time.

The final results will last up to 15 years! Extreme weather conditions, harsh cleaning methods and high-alkaline or solvent-based cleaners will affect wear so use a Tile Cleaner that is recommended for use on Tile and doesn’t contain solvents such as Aqua Mix Concentrated Stone & Tile Cleaner.

Grout Colorant is an effective solution to all of the scenarios mentioned above however if the Grout is cracked or chipped, the Colorant is not the right answer. *Tip: Grout Colorant only colors and will not correct any defects in the Grout.

The amout of Grout Colorant required will vary depending on the width and porosity of the grout joint and the size of the tiles and can range from 50 – 300 square feet per 8-oz bottle. Reference the Coverage Guide on www.1877floorguy.com for the amount of Grout Colorant you’ll need. You can also get a free color chart before you buy the Colorant and get answers to your questions by calling toll-free at 1-877-floorguy (1-877-356-6748).

Have Fun Coloring!

Clean Soap Scum/Mildew from Natural Stone & Grout in Bathroom Shower

How do I clean soap scum and mildew from the natural stone and grout in my bathroom shower?

For tough bathroom soap scum and mildew DuPont™ StoneTech® Professional KlenzAll™ Cleaner is an excellent solution because it will lift difficult stains without etching or damaging the stone surface. Use a sponge or microfiber cloth to apply cleaner to the surface, rubbing soiled areas. For the toughest stains, try a soft bristle brush. Mildew in the grout is sometimes hard to get rid of and may require a 50/50 solution of water and bleach if any mildew remains after you’ve used the DuPont™ StoneTech® Professional KlenzAll™. Be sure to rinse the area thoroughly with water when you are finished with this process. After cleaning, it is important to seal the area to keep the tile and grout looking good long term. Wait one hour after rinsing the stone surfaces before applying sealer. Seal with a water-based sealer tough enough to withstand the amount of use your shower gets, such as DuPont™ StoneTech® Heavy Duty Sealer.

Once you’ve gone through the effort to remove the stubborn soap scum and mildew from your shower, routine maintenance will be the key to maintaining the integrity of the stone. Clean frequently using DuPont™ StoneTech® Professional Stone & Tile Cleaner which is a stone-safe cleaner for everyday use. Avoid bathroom cleaners that are not specifically recommended for use on stone because they will etch and damage the surface.

Every few months, take a moment to notice how the water beads when your shower is wet. If water beads easily on the surface, you’re in good shape. If not, it may be time to reseal your stone. For more information about sealing and knowing when to seal, see our blog entitled, “When to Apply Sealer to Stone Surfaces.”

Important Note: Always read product labels entirely before using. Use only as directed. Test in small inconspicuous area to determine required dilution and results.

When to Apply Sealer to Stone Surfaces

The type of stone and application change but the question remains the same, “How often do I need to seal my marble floor (or granite counter or terrazzo bath)?” The answer to this question depends on a few factors- how the surface is used, routine maintenance and interior or exterior application. Before answering this question about frequency of applying sealer, first find out if your stone surface needs sealer?”

Simply place a few drops of water on your stone surface and wait 15 minutes. If the water beads up and wipes off without leaving a dark spot then your surface is well sealed. If the water absorbs into the surface then you need to apply Sealer. Sealer protects your stone from harsh cleaners that can damage the surface and it minimizes soils and stains. If you do get a stain, it is more easily removed from a sealed stone surface because the sealer reduces the absorbency of the stone.

Many types of sealers are available. The type of sealer you will use depends on the stone. DuPont StoneTech Heavy Duty Stone Sealer is recommended for use on Marble and Terazzo while StoneTech Professional Bullet Proof Sealer is recommended for use on Granite. All DuPont StoneTech Sealers are impregnated to penetrate into the stone for maximum protection and come with a product performance guarantee.

When stone-friendly cleaners are used for regular maintenance, sealer should last 3-5 years for an interior application. The water bead test can be done once each year to check for wear of the sealer.

If you’ve got questions about which product(s) to use or how to apply them to your stone surface, call 1-877-floorguy for answers.

Important Note: Always read product labels entirely before using. Use only as directed. Test in small inconspicuous area to determine required dilution and results.

Remove Oil Stain from Stone

If you’ve ever spilled cooking oil on your granite (or other natural stone) countertop you know that it can leave a deep-set dark stain. The good news- there is something you can do about it…with just a bit of patience and a few supplies.

First clean the area so all dirt and finishes are removed (ammonia works well). Then use a product specifically designed to remove oil stains from natural stone surfaces, such as DuPont StoneTech Oil Stain Remover.. This Stonetech product is a paste that you apply as a poultice to the soiled area of your stone counter, approximately ¼” thick and going 1”- 2” beyond the stained area. This is where your patience comes in… you’ll need to wait 48-72 hours or until the poultice is completely dry before brushing it off with a soft bristle brush. If the stain is not completely removed, repeat the process. This process will remove the stain without leaving residue and with no discoloration of the stone. Once the stain is lifted, clean the area (and your tools) with mineral spirits (available in your local hardware store) then seal with a DuPont Stonetech Sealer, such as the BulletProof Sealer to minimize future stains. You may wonder if your entire counter needs Sealer. Check my blog about “Sealer for Stone Surfaces- Do I need to reapply?”. This should answer all your questions about Sealer.

You may find other, similar methods, to clean oil stains when you search the internet however most require you to mix ingredients together yourself which leaves room for error. Unless you’re a professional, you’re going to get better results with a product that is ready-to-use.

Important Note: Always read product labels entirely before using. Use only as directed. Test in small inconspicuous area.

Clean It, Seal It and Color It

March 14, 2009

GROUT: Clean It, Seal It and Color It

Easy as 1, 2, 3

Aqua Mix Grout Colorant

Pieces of ceramic tile, stone and marble have been used for centuries on floors,walls, tabletops and mosaic murals. And that’s probably how long the search has lasted for a way to keep the grout between the pieces clean and bright.

Commercial products are fine for masons and tile setters accustomed to working with caustic cleaners. But what about the average person looking at grungy grout in a shower stall or on a countertop?

Aqua Mix, a Santa Fe, CA-based company, has been in the business of sealing, brightening and recoloring grout for 20 years. Now the company’s products have been reformulated and simplified for do-it-yourselfers.

“A lot of people have old tile in baths and kitchens, but they don’t want to replace all of the tile,” says Aqua Mix. “When the appearance becomes too dingy, this is a cost-effective alternative.” This easy process now makes more sense than ever as most us look for alternatives to refurbish and rejuvenate our floors instead of the more expensive alternative, REPLACEMENT!
The super-concentrated, phosphate-free Aqua Mix Grout colorant comes in 24 stock shades, including buff, teal, cinnamon, rose and pewter, plus several shades of white.”We are in constant contact with grout manufacturers, so we can match whatever their most popular and new colors are,” Aqua Mix says.

The Aqua Mix Grout Colorant kit, contain an Aqua Mix Grout cleaner, an Aqua Mix Grout Colorant brush applicator and a tube of Aqua Mix Grout colorant. After the tiles are scrubbed, the color is brushed on and left to (almost) dry. Then a nylon mesh pad is used to remove Grout colorant from surrounding tiles, leaving the lines a brighter white or an entirely new color – say green between white tiles in a child’s bathroom, or a robin’s egg blue between slate tiles in a foyer. Results should last up to 15 years, according to Aqua Mix.

“In an older home, if the grout is cracked or missing, this won’t work as a groutfiller,” Aqua Mix cautions. The grout has to be in fairly good condition for the colorto cover well. “If there is more than a hairline crack, you would need to re-grout before applying the colorant.”

Aqua Mix Grout Colorant Kit Description: All-in-one kit to prep, recolor and seal your grout joints. Kit contains 8-oz. Aqua Mix Grout Colorant, 8-oz. Aqua Mix Grout Colorant Pre-Treat Cleaner, grout Colorant Applicator brush and scrub pad.
Available with the following standard Aqua Mix colors: AquaMix Grout Colorant Kits
White
Black
Antique White
Bright White
Linen White
Canvas
Navajo
Smoke
Buff
Mauve
Sand
Evergreen
Beige
Teal
Wheat
Silver
Cinnamon
Natural Gray
Cocoa
Pewter
LightGray
Charcoal Gray
Cadet Blue
Pure White
Rose

Aqua Mix Grout Colorant
http://www.1877floorguy.com/aqmixgrcoki.html

Coverage: Approximately 50 to 300 sq. ft. (5 m2 to 28 m2) per 8-oz. bottle, depending on width and porosity of grout joint, size of tile and method of application.

Description: Easy-to use waterborne epoxy that recolors, seals and rejuvenates existing grout joints.

Uses: Recommended for use on sanded, unsanded and epoxy grout joints. Equally effective for interior and exterior applications.

Expected Wear: Will vary depending on hardness and texture of surface, type of area, surface wear, frequency and type of maintenance products used. Expected wear is up to 15 years. Extreme weather conditions, harsh cleaning methods and high-alkaline or solvent-based cleaners will affect wear.

Grout Colorant Application Kit Application
http://www.1877floorguy.com/aqmixgrcoki.html
Brush Aqua Mix Grout Colorant on horizontal and vertical grout joints. Includes scrub pad.
Available in 8-oz. sizes in the following standard colors:
(Colors are displayed as accurately as possible. Some colors below may not represent exact grout colors. They may appear differently on computer monitors with different resolutions).

Grout ColorantPre-Treat Cleaner

Coverage: One 8-oz. bottle will clean and prepare approximately 50 to 300 sq. ft. of tiled area, depending on the width and type of grout joint, size of tile, severity of surface staining and method of application.

Description: Effective ready-to-use cleaner designed to lightly etch and also remove dirt, soil, soap scum and hard water deposits from grout joints. Prepares grout joints for a superior Aqua Mix Grout Colorant bond.

Uses: Recommended for use on sanded, unsanded and epoxy grout joints and surrounding tile.
Available in an 8-oz. spray bottle.
http://www.1877floorguy.com/aqmixgrcoki.html

All products carry a 15 day 100% satisfaction guarantee! Have Questions? Email us or Call 1-877-FloorGuy.com

www.1877floorguy.com Commitment:
Provide our customers with easy access to the flooring manufacturers recommended floor care and maintenance products at the best possible prices with superior customer service. Our customer service staff understands your flooring needs and is trained on all our floor care products and will do their best to answer your floor maintenance questions. Also, we stock every floor cleaning product we sell so that we can deliver it to you in a timely fashion.

Keep Your Investment in Your Floor

Keep Your Investment in Your Floor
Once you make the decision to replace your flooring or have a new floor installed, it’s still an investment and you will want to protect that investment.
One of the largest offenders to flooring is the scooting of furniture across it. People often mistake a shiny floor with being slick and easy to move furniture across and it only takes a time or two before the damage is done. There are easy ways to avoid this and the easiest of all is to use simple floor protectors on the legs of your furniture.
If you’re having a large gathering where the odd ottoman or chair might be scooted across your flooring, just protect it in advance with a floor protector and you won’t have to play floor monitor and it will leave you free to enjoy your get together and not worry about your floor.
Also if you’re going to experiment with your room decor. Use floor protectors on the bottoms of your furniture to not only allow you to move them easily around the room, but also to protect your floor from damage. One table legs scratching across your finished floor can do damage that can be expensive to repair.
Other good measures you can take include having cotton floor rugs in high traffic areas. This will slow down the wear on your floor as well as protect it. Avoid rugs with rubber or plastic backings though as they can damage some finishes.
You made a good investment in your flooring, keep it looking like new with regular care and use floor protectors as necessary.

Call the Floor Guy at 1-877-Floorguy.com (1-877-356-6748) or visit us at www.1877floorguy.com for all your floor protector needs.

Make Your Stone Floor Look Like New

Make Your Stone Floor Look Like New

Stone floors are among the most gorgeous of surfaces, and with proper care, a stone floor can be well maintained and last for centuries. Stones, though tough, can lose their color and be compromised with traditional household products and cleaners. The key is to avoid these types of products and only use stone cleaners designed specific for the type of stone you have.

Stone surfaces like floors, counter tops, vanities and etc. can come in a variety of materials like marble, grout, granite, porcelain tile, and etc. Many stones can be damaged or be discolored if not carefully cleaned, restored, polished and protected. Keep in mind that what causes the most damage to stone is sand, dirt and gritty materials. The abrasive texture of these items tends to cause scratching. It’s important to place mats and rugs in strategic areas on stone floors. Be sure non-slip materials are under the rugs and mats.
If you’ve recently remodeled a bathroom or kitchen or put in a new stone floor elsewhere in your home, you have probably been thinking of ways to carefully protect your stone.
Stones can and should be cleaned, polished, sealed and protected. Many various products are on the market. Be sure to read the instructions carefully and ask lots of questions. Always choose products that will not stain or leave lines and streaks across your floor. If you already have scratches and stains, be sure to look for products to handle these tough needs. Overall, stone floors can endure a lot of wear and tear without being compromised or damaged.

Call the Floor Guy at 1-877-Floorguy.com (1-877-356-6748) or visit us at www.1877floorguy.com for all your stone maintenance products.

Give Your Bathroom A Make Over

Give Your Bathroom A Make Over
As a homeowner, you try to do everything that you possibly can to make your house look beautiful and inviting at all times. While nothing is ever perfect for long, there will always come a time for you to have to go through some household renovation or small make over. For some people, this may come in the form of a bathroom make over in order to get their lavatory in tip top shape.
Of course, as you look around your bathroom, a few areas may draw your attention more than others. You may think of having new paint or wallpaper on the walls or even a new set of fixtures on the sink. However, what condition are your tiles in? Do you need a face lift where your grout is concerned?
Know that you are not alone and there are a number of homeowners who run into issues when it comes to dingy or dirty grout. By simply applying a product such as Aqua Mix Grout Deep Clean to all of your problem areas, you could end up seeing dramatic results in very little time at all. Because this formula is made to break through all kinds of dirt, hard water deposits and soap scum, you will see that it will be nearly effortless to restore both the color and appearance of your grout! After using the Grout Deep Clean, you can then follow up with the Aqua Mix Grout Sealer in order to add protection and prolong the life of your grout.

Call the Floor Guy at 1-877-Floorguy.com (1-877-356-6748) or visit www.1877floorguy.com for all your Ceramic Tile Maintenance Products.

Porcelain and Ceramic Tile Care Basics

Porcelain and Ceramic Tile Care Basics
After installing your porcelain or ceramic tile floor, it is now time to carefully clean it. Making sure you’ve removed all grout, construction dirt and grime from the tiles is paramount, and the first thing on the agenda of basic care after installation. From there, most porcelain and ceramic tile requires nominal care.
Cleaning grout from tiles requires hot water and a mild detergent. Scrubbing it thoroughly will usually do the job. Be sure to follow instructions, as some tiles will require specific products and more aggressive cleaners. This may include buffers, floor scrubbers, and bristle brushes. Though some individuals use acid washing, it isn’t recommended in most cases. Never use acid cleaners to clean colored grouts. The pigment of the grout will change and lock in a different color.
Daily maintenance of porcelain and ceramic tiles is pretty simple as tiles are finished materials, in general. A neutral cleaner is recommended for tile cleaning. Follow the manufacturer’s cleaning instructions concerning dilution of the cleaner used. Most manufacturers will recommend non-oil, non-acidic and non-soap based cleaners. These can be purchased at www.1877floorguy.com .
The great thing about porcelain and ceramic tile is their hard surface. This makes them easy to clean and maintain and they do not hold contaminants and dirt below the surface, as they are low-absorbing materials.
Whether you have smooth tiles or textured ones, use the materials recommended by your manufacturer for very best results.

Renew and Color Your Grout

Renew and Color Your Grout
Many people are stuck with dull, discolored grout between their beautiful tile floors. They’re not quite ready to change their floors because they look fine, but their grouting? That’s a totally different story.
To renew and color your grout, you must first be aware that it is much simpler than it sounds. In fact, it doesn’t involve scrubbing and chiseling! It only requires your ability to apply paint, much like painting your fingers or toenails!
Stained or discolored grout can make a new floor look old and sloppy, but as soon as you renew and color your grout, you will feel as though you have a whole new floor. It will make the tile colors standout and your eye won’t automatically look for those stains like you’ve been doing!
Grout paints help cover stains common with grease, mold, mildew, dark spills and other discoloring or staining agents. Before you apply any grout color, clean and dry the tile surface thoroughly. Use a toothbrush to carefully clean grout before painting. A brush scrub is good if you have access grit and stains. After washing and rinsing, let the grout dry well before applying the grout paint.
Some people use the grout color on tiles, when the color is right. This seals them both and helps make them resistant to future stains. When grout does not absorb anything because it’s been well sealed, the color will remain and maintenance will be simple.
Painting grout is only useful if the grout is strong and unbroken. Chipped and broken grout should simply be replaced.

Aqua Mix Grout Stain and Colorant

Save Time and Money by Using Grout Stain and Colorant

If you have tile walls or floors with dirty grout, stain and colorant might be a quick and easy way to fix that problem. Not only is grout stain and colorant a cheap and easy way to remodel a bathroom or kitchen, but it is a great way to add your own twist to your tile projects. With a variety of colors of grout stain and colorant you can match a color scheme in your bath or kitchen and seal that color all in one application.

Grout stain and colorant can be used on your outdoor projects as well. Do you have a pool with tiles around the edge that have dirty or chipped grout? Stain and colorant can help you with this problem. You can even choose to use a beautiful blue grout stain and colorant to enhance your pool. Of course if you have a more modernized lagoon style pool, you may want to choose a green grout stain and colorant. Either way you can see the endless possibilities you have.

Now, if by chance you have a kitchen and bathroom that has perfect grout, stain and colorant may not help you in your home. However, grout stain and colorant would be a great way to enhance a business as well. Do you have a restaurant, or a hotel? Use grout stain and colorant to make your business different from the competition. We all know that basic white or cream color grout is the norm. Sometimes it is the little things that sets one business apart from another and turns a first time visitors into a loyal customer.

Are you a mosaic artist? Imagine what grout stain and colorant could do for your art projects. Tired of always using white grout? Stain and colorant will open many doors for mosaic artists around the world. It will also increase their profits by decreasing their time put into the project. Grout stain and colorant dries quicker than traditional grout, and looks better too!

As you can see, the possibilities are endless with grout. Stain and colorant add a beauty to tile work that never existed before. Now the home owner, business owner and artist can easily all have clean crack free grout. Stain and colorant will add life and longevity to your tile projects. Whether for fun creating a beautiful mosaic on your wall, or remodeling your bathroom, using a grout stain and colorant will not only add life to your project but it will save you money in the long run.

Grout Sealer and Cleaner

Grout Sealer and Cleaner Can Make Your Tile Beautiful Again

If you are like many people and you have tile in your bathroom, you’re no strange to mold and mildew and the battle to keep their growth at a minimum. Between the mildew and the soap scum that builds and builds it can make the most good-intentioned house cleaner feel overwhelmed and discouraged. However there is hope for all of us and that hope comes in the form of grout sealer and cleaner. Once you are sure that you have sufficiently and totally cleaned your tile you will want to apply a good grout sealer and cleaner. Actually a good version of this should be able to do both, clean and then seal. Looking into the best grout cleaner and sealer is especially important as you want to get the best results that you can for the least amount of energy and money expenditure.

The two important steps to making your tile and the surrounding groat be all that they can be is to clean and then seal. Using a great grout cleaner and sealer first to totally remove all of the mold, mildew and other gunk and scum is the first step. Mold and mildew love to set up home in your unsealed grout. It’s porous, holds moisture deep within and gives it an optimum place to grow. Clean your grout well and then let it dry a full 1-2 days and then apply the sealer. The beautiful thing that the sealer does is now when water hits your tile, it is no longer absorbed (along with dirt, soap scum and other elements) into the grout. The sealer repeals the moisture and it stays on the surface where it can be easily wiped off and keep mold and mildew at bay.

Keeping your tile looking sharp is easy. Just clean and wipe with a good cleaner on a regular basis and many people redo their grout cleaning and sealing on a yearly or every-other-year basis to keep the grout clean and the seal tight on their tile. It’s easy to see when the sealant is no longer covering an area of your tile as it will show small black spots of mold growth. You can keep your tile maintained between applications of grout cleaner and sealer by spot cleaning and re-sealing the areas as necessary. This is a simple way to keep your tile looking outstanding and keeping mold and mildew a problem of the past.

Aqua Mix Cleaners

Clean Stained Tile or Stone Flooring With Aqua Mix Product

If you have a tile or stone floor that has been neglected for years or has been pounded by heavy traffic, unsightly staining has probably occurred. Aqua Mix Tile and Stone Deep Clean is a product that is designed to clean stained tile and stone flooring. In addition to neglect and heavy usage, deep staining to tile and stone flooring may be caused by grease, body oils, mildew, algae, soap residue, and old waxes and finishes. The Aqua Mix product, Tile and Stone Deep Clean, will strip off synthetic and acrylic floor finishes.

Many people are attracted to stone or tile flooring because of its natural beauty, it’s durability, and it’s reputation for being low-maintenance. However, stains will eventually mar stone or tile flooring that is not maintained and properly cared for over a period of time. Flooring of this type that is not properly sealed will become more susceptible to staining because it is a porous material. Aqua Mix Tile and Stone Deep Clean will effectively pull stains porous flooring such as ceramic tile, granite, marble, porcelain tile, quarry tile, slate, terra cotta, travertine, and saltillo tile. In addition to natural stone and tile, this Aqua Mix cleaner is effective on grout and concrete tile.

Cleaning deeply stained tile or stone flooring will add to the value and the beauty of your home. Having your floors cleaned professionally is an option, but an expensive one. For the homeowner looking for a more affordable way to clean neglected, stained tile or stone flooring, a product such as this one from Aqua Mix offers a do-it-yourself option. When deciding on the amount needed for the job, keep in mind that one gallon is diluted and makes six gallons of cleaning solution. This amount of Aqua Mix Tile and Stone Deep Cleaner will clean or strip a flooring area of 150 to 600 square feet, depending on the severity of the staining.

Once the stained flooring is cleaned, the homeowners main goal should be to properly care for the floor such that this type of damage won’t take place in the future. The floor should be thoroughly sealed with a high quality sealer. Regular cleaning of the floor once it is sealed should include dry or damp mopping. Gritty materials should be removed regularly to cut down on wear and tear on the sealant. Vacuuming or damp mopping grit is preferable over sweeping which can damage the seal on your tile and let in moisture which will cause buckling and loose tile that is expensive to repair and/or replace.

Aqua Mix is a company that sells a variety of products specifically for the sealing, cleaning, polishing, and overall maintenance of stone and tile flooring. Aqua Mix has been in the business of floor care products for over twenty-five years and has a name you can trust to keep your tile flooring looking gorgeous.

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