The Best Way to Clean Tile and Grout!
- Isaac Ostrom
- Oct 26
- 7 min read
Hey guys — Isaac here, your Tile Coach. Today I’m hanging out with my good buddy Matt from SAC Surface Pro, right here in Sacramento, California. I’ve known Matt for, what, probably six to ten years now? Over that time, I’ve referred tons of my customers to him for professional tile and grout cleaning, and for good reason — these guys are the real deal.
In this post, we’re breaking down the best way to clean tile and grout — not just for homeowners, but for pros, remodelers, and anyone who wants to get that deep, like-new clean that regular mopping just can’t touch.
We’re going to cover:
The equipment and process professional cleaners use
The best cleaning chemistry (and what to avoid)
How to keep your floors looking amazing long after they’re cleaned
When and how to seal grout for long-term protection
And a few extra services SAC Surface Pro offers for tile, glass, and countertops
I filmed this one at my own house — so yeah, you’re going to see my floors get a deep clean on camera. Honestly, I was embarrassed at how dirty they were, but it makes for a great example.
Let’s get into it.
TLDR: Key Takeaways for Homeowners & Pros
Professional cleaning combines heat, pressure, and suction. This removes years of grime from grout that mopping can’t reach.
Never use acidic cleaners on grout — they etch and weaken it. Stick to alkaline-based products for safe, effective cleaning.
Damp mopping beats wet mopping. It lifts dirt instead of pushing it back into grout lines.
Seal grout every 1–3 years, depending on traffic and use.
Porcelain and ceramic tiles don’t need sealing, but grout and natural stone do.
HydroShield coating protects shower glass from water spots and soap scum buildup.
Consider annual maintenance programs to keep floors looking new year after year.
The Tools of the Trade
Matt brought over his truck-mounted cleaning system, and if you’ve never seen one of these in action, it’s impressive.
This isn’t your everyday mop-and-bucket setup — it’s a high-powered unit that provides three key ingredients for professional tile cleaning:
Heat
Pressure
Suction
Here’s how it works:
The system connects to a water source (like your outdoor spigot). It then pressurizes and heats the water using a diesel burner — this thing gets hot. The heated water is sprayed at high pressure directly onto your tile and grout, loosening deep-seated dirt. At the same time, a powerful blower sucks that dirty water up immediately, removing it from your floors and grout lines.
That’s the big difference between professional cleaning and household mopping — extraction.
Why Regular Mopping Doesn’t Work
When you mop, you’re usually just spreading dirty water around. Because grout sits lower than the tile, that dirty water seeps down and settles in the grout lines. Over time, it stains and darkens the grout — that’s why even “clean” tile floors often look dingy.
Professional cleaning solves that by lifting the dirt out completely instead of pushing it deeper in.
Step 1: The Pre-Spray
The cleaning process starts with a pre-spray cleaner — typically an alkaline solution.
Matt explained that alkaline cleaners are ideal for breaking down dirt, grease, and organic buildup without harming the tile or grout. They’re especially great for kitchens, entryways, and high-traffic areas.
You’ll sometimes hear people talk about acid cleaners, but here’s the thing — acid doesn’t actually clean grout.
“Acid etches the grout,” Matt told me. “Every time you use it, you’re shaving off a microscopic layer. Sure, it might look clean at first, but you’re weakening the grout.”
So skip the acids. Alkaline is the way to go.
The pre-spray sits for a few minutes to loosen up soil and grime before the next step.
Step 2: Scrubbing with Counter-Rotating Brushes
After the pre-spray, Matt used a tool called a Brush Pro CRB — CRB stands for counter-rotating brushes.
This machine agitates the cleaner deep into the grout lines, scrubbing up dirt that’s been compacted for years.
If you’ve ever tried scrubbing grout by hand with a toothbrush — imagine that, but about 100 times faster and way more effective.
The brushes lift grime to the surface, prepping everything for extraction.
Step 3: Hot Water Extraction with the Turbo Cleaner
Once the dirt is loosened, Matt fired up the Turbo Cleaner.
This is a spinning, pressurized head that shoots hot water straight into the grout lines while vacuuming it up at the same time. It’s designed to keep all that dirty water contained, so it doesn’t splash or run all over your floor.
When he flipped the switch, I could literally see the transformation happen in real-time — the water coming out of the grout looked like mud, and right behind it, the floor looked brand new.
I’m not kidding — it was a night and day difference.
And just like Matt said, people get embarrassed seeing how much grime comes out, but it’s totally normal. Grout is porous; it’s meant to grab onto dirt. That’s why it needs extraction to truly get clean.
Step 4: Final Rinse and Drying
After the extraction, Matt did a clean water rinse to remove any residual cleaner, then let the floors air dry. The result? My floors looked better than they did when they were new.
You could feel the difference too — that gritty film that’s usually left behind from years of mopping? Gone.
Keeping Floors Clean After a Professional Cleaning
Okay, so your tile and grout are spotless — now what?
Here’s where most people go wrong: they go right back to wet mopping.
Damp Mop Only
Matt recommends damp mopping instead. Use a microfiber mop slightly moistened with clean water. This method lifts dirt off the surface rather than pushing it down into grout lines.
Think of it as “wipe and lift” instead of “swirl and soak.”
Skip the Harsh Chemicals
Stick to pH-neutral or mildly alkaline cleaners — nothing acidic. Avoid vinegar, bleach, or ammonia, all of which can degrade grout over time.
Frequency
For high-traffic areas like kitchens and entryways, mop once a week. For low-traffic areas, once every two weeks is fine.
If you have pets or kids, you might need to spot clean more often, but damp mopping will keep your floors looking clean without re-depositing grime.
Sealing the Grout
Sealing is the most overlooked step in maintaining tile floors.
Grout is porous, which means it absorbs moisture, dirt, and stains. Sealing it creates a barrier that keeps that stuff out.
How Often Should You Seal?
Matt recommends sealing about every 1 to 3 years, depending on traffic and lifestyle. Kitchens, hallways, and entryways may need yearly sealing, while bathrooms or low-use areas can go longer.
What Needs Sealing?
Porcelain and ceramic tile: No sealing needed — the tile is non-porous.
Grout: Absolutely seal it.
Natural stone (travertine, marble, limestone, granite): Seal the entire surface.
A good penetrating sealer protects without changing the tile’s appearance and makes future cleaning easier.
Maintenance Programs
SAC Surface Pro actually offers maintenance programs where they’ll reach out annually to remind customers it’s time to re-clean or reseal.
I love that idea because it keeps your floors on a schedule — you don’t have to remember to call, and your floors never get to the “embarrassing” stage mine were at before this video.
They’ll even set up recurring appointments, so it’s all automated.
Beyond Tile Floors: Shower Doors, Counters & More
Matt’s team doesn’t stop at floors — they also clean and protect shower glass and granite countertops.
HydroShield for Shower Glass
If you’ve ever struggled with soap scum and water spots, HydroShield is a game changer. It’s a clear coating applied to glass that repels water and makes cleaning way easier. Think of it like a non-stick pan for your shower doors — water just slides right off.
HydroShield doesn’t make the glass self-cleaning, but it dramatically cuts down on buildup.
Granite Countertop Polishing
They also clean, seal, and polish granite surfaces to restore shine and protect from etching or staining.
For homeowners who take pride in keeping their spaces clean and polished, these extra services make a huge difference.
Common Mistakes People Make Cleaning Tile at Home
Using vinegar or acidic cleaners — these damage grout and dull tile.
Over-wetting the floor — water seeps into grout and carries dirt back down.
Skipping the sealer — unsealed grout stains fast.
Ignoring high-traffic entryways — these get dirty first and spread grime to the rest of the house.
Avoid those, and you’ll maintain that freshly cleaned look much longer.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1: Can I clean tile and grout myself?
You can, but you won’t get professional-level results. Truck-mounted systems combine heat, pressure, and suction — something home machines can’t replicate.
Q2: Why does my grout look dirty again so fast?
Usually because it wasn’t sealed or the wrong cleaner was used. Dirt can re-embed into porous grout if acids or wet mopping are used.
Q3: How do I know if my grout needs resealing?
Drop a few drops of water on it. If it absorbs quickly and darkens, it’s time to reseal.
Q4: What’s the difference between alkaline and acid cleaners?
Alkaline cleaners break down grease and organic dirt safely. Acid cleaners dissolve minerals and etch grout — never use them for maintenance.
Q5: What is HydroShield?
HydroShield is a clear coating for glass that repels water and soap scum. It keeps shower doors cleaner and reduces hard-water buildup.
Final Thoughts
I’ve got to give a huge thanks to Matt and SAC Surface Pro for coming out and showing us how real professional tile and grout cleaning works.
Seeing that level of equipment and expertise in action was eye-opening — and honestly, kind of humbling.
If you’re tired of scrubbing your grout lines or your tile never looking “quite clean,” consider bringing in a pro. You’ll be amazed by the difference.
Remember the key points:
Use heat, pressure, and suction for a deep clean.
Avoid acidic cleaners — stick with alkaline.
Maintain with damp microfiber mopping.
Seal your grout every 1–3 years.
Your tile investment deserves that care, and with proper maintenance, it’ll keep looking new for decades.
Thanks for joining me on this Tile Coach episode — and a special shoutout to Matt at SAC Surface Pro. If you found this helpful, check out the Tile Coach Forum for pro tips, tool talk, and jobsite problem-solving.
Until next time — stay clean, stay professional, and keep learning!
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