Should You DIY Tile and Grout Cleaning?

Many homeowners often ask themselves whether they should take on the task of cleaning their tile and grout themselves or hire a professional. While DIY can be cost effective way to save money, you must weigh the factors involved before deciding whether to take on the task yourself or hire professionals. Let’s explore some considerations surrounding DIY tile and grout cleaning, particularly its cost effectiveness, the desired level of results and the time and effort involved.

 Cost-Effectiveness of DIY Cleaning on Smaller Tiled Areas:

DIY tile and grout cleaning can be a cost-effective solution, especially when dealing with smaller areas like bathrooms, small kitchens, and foyers. The expenses involved primarily include purchasing cleaning products, equipment, and safety gear. Compared to hiring professionals, the initial investment for DIY cleaning tends to be lower. By taking on the task yourself, you can save money on labor costs. However, it’s important to consider the trade off in terms of time, effort, results, and risk of damaging your tile or grout.

DIY Time and Effort: The Burden of Tile and Grout Cleaning

One significant challenge of DIY tile and grout cleaning is the amount of time and effort required. Cleaning each individual tile and grout line meticulously can be a time-consuming process. Based on our observations, most people who attempt DIY cleaning typically clean at a rate of 25-50 square feet per hour. This pace can be slow, especially for larger areas, and often leads to mediocre results. It’s crucial to assess your availability and willingness to invest the necessary time and physical effort before taking on the task.

Professional Tile Cleaning Expertise and Efficient Results:

Hiring professionals for tile and grout cleaning offers several advantages. Professionals possess specialized equipment, industry expertise, and access to professional-grade cleaning agents. They can identify the most suitable methods and products for different tile and grout types, ensuring a thorough and efficient cleaning process. Additionally, professionals often achieve superior results because their equipment can remove deep seated dirt, stains and grime effectively. If you desire optimal cleanliness and restoration, professional services are worth considering.

When to Consider Hiring Tile and Grout Cleaning Professionals:

While DIY cleaning can be cost-effective on smaller areas, many homeowners find it worthwhile to hire professionals when the job reaches a certain scale. Generally, as the area to be cleaned exceeds 300-400 square feet, the time and effort required become significantly burdensome. Hiring professionals at this point not only saves you valuable time but also ensures high-quality results and a hassle-free experience.

Another issue many DIYers come across is misidentifying the type of tile they have. This is important because many grout cleaners from big box stores and home remedy solutions are acidic and can damage certain natural stones such as marble, travertine, and limestone. So if you are not 100% sure what type of tile you have, it may be best to call a professional who specializes in both natural stone cleaning and restoration like Beyond Clean Tile. A professional will not only be able to identify the different types of tiles but they will use a cleaner that gives a high quality clean without damaging your tile.

As you can see there are times when DIY cleaning can be sufficient, and times where hiring a professional can take a real burden off your back. It all depends on your desired level of results, the amount of time and effort you want to spend and the amount money you are willing to pay. The larger the area the more attractive professional tile and grout cleaning becomes because once they have their equipment set up, professionals can clean at rates between 300-700 square feet an hour. This allows them to pass on cost savings in labor to you, so everyone wins. Book a free estimate to find out how we can help make your tile and grout look new again.