The removal
of microbial contamination from grout areas presents a
serious problem for cleaning professionals.
This is because grouting tends to be softer and more porous
than surrounding tiles and the “grout line” is invariably
lower than the tiles making it more difficult to clean.
Consequently, successful removal of microbial contamination
in grout areas has traditionally been dependent on the skill
of the cleaning technician, time allotted for this time
consuming task, and the cleaning systems used. Steam
pressure cleaning and chlorine use can be a good solution.
There are a limited number of investigations on the
qualitative clean ability of grout areas using different
cleaning methods. However, Dr. Jay Glasel, founder of Global
Scientific Consulting LLC, in Farmington, Conn. has just
completed and published the results of such a study.
To conduct the test, the researchers first determined how
much bacterial contamination was present in the grout areas.
Two grout areas were then cleaned using similar cleaning
chemicals: one with a new microfiber flat mop and the other
with a 500 psi, high-flow fluid-extraction system, also
known as a spray-and-vac cleaning system.
And the results?
According to Dr. Glasel, “the data presented shows that
spray-and-vac cleaning is by far the most effective cleaning
method for removing contamination from grouted floor
[areas]. Cleaning with the [microfiber] mops left 30 times
more soil than cleaning with the spray-and-vac system.”
Working with a professional cleaning company can make a
big difference when it employs the use of high end
technologies and a professional hand on approach to
cleaning and maintaining your property clean.