Reader Question:

“I am getting my ceramic tiles cleaned and the grout sealed and the professionals are using different methods:

1. High pressure washer w/chemical and a color sealer for the grout.

2. A truck mounted hot water extraction system (also used for carpets) and a grout sealant (tubing)

3. Hand scrubbing w/a grout sealant that claims is good for 5 yrs.

Which method is better to clean my ceramic tile?

Thanks for your input!!”

Answer:

For this answer, I consulted with The Grout Doctor for a professional opinion. Their answer is as follows:

Option #1 – In my experience high pressure is not good for grout.  It opens up the natural pores in the grout and allows the grout to collect more dirt, grime and grit.  I can say that if it’s a good color sealer it is a good option.

Option #2 – Pretty much the same thing as option #1.  A high pressure truck mount extraction system can open up grouts natural pores as well.

Option #3 – This cleaning method is good and safe for the grout as long as the correct chemicals and dwell time are utilized.

At The Grout Doctor we used hand scrubbing with proper chemicals and dwell time.  Then would color seal with a 3 yr. guarantee.

Here are some general things to have on hand before starting the stain removal process.

1. White paper towels or white terry towels.
2. Hand dish washing detergent that doesn’t contain lanolin or bleach (such as the original Dawn® and Joy® with no special additives). To make a detergent solution, mix 1/4 teaspoon of the detergent with 1 qt. of water.
3. Spray bottle for applying detergents and special solutions.
4. Household ammonia solution of 1 tablespoon of  clear household ammonia per 1/2 cup of water.
5. Isopropyl rubbing alcohol.
6. Hydrogen peroxide.
7. White vinegar solution made up of 1/3 cup of white vinegar, 2/3 cup of water.
8. Spoon and dull knife.
9. Brick and brick paver

Stains that cannot be removed

Acid toilet bowl cleaners, acne medication, alkaline drain cleaners, chlorinated bleaches, hair dyes, iodine, insecticides, mustard with turmeric, plant fertilizers and stains of this nature cannot be removed because they permanently alter the carpet’s color. Call a professional. Typically, professionals address these types of stains by replacing the stained area. If you do not have extra carpet on hand, they might cut a piece from a closet, or some other inconspicuous area and insert it into the area where the spot was cut out.

How to remove a few common stains:

• Beer, coffee, perfume, tea, wine:

Blot with a white paper towel to remove as much of the stain as possible. Then, neutralize with a white vinegar solution. Saturate the spot using a spray bottle and blot to remove excess moisture. After neutralizing, try the following.

Apply a small amount of a detergent solution to the spot (1/4 teaspoon detergent per 1 qt. of water) Blot with a white paper towel to work the detergent into the affected area. If the spot is being removed, continue applying detergent and blotting until spot is completely removed. Using a spray bottle, rinse with tap water, and then blot to remove excess moisture. Next, spray lightly with water, but instead of blotting, apply a pad of paper towels, weigh them down with a brick and allow to dry. If the stain remains, moisten the tufts in the stained area with 3 percent hydrogen peroxide and let stand for 1 hour. Blot and repeat until carpet is stain free. Because light will change peroxide back to water, no rinsing is necessary. Apply a pad of paper towels and weigh them down with a brick. Allow carpet to dry. Remove brick and towels and brush up the pile.

• Berries, children’s drink mix, fruit juice, water-based spots

Blot up as much of the spill as possible with a white paper towel. Use a wet vacuum for a large spill. If the spot has dried, saturate the tufts in the affected area with tap water (do not over wet). After about a minute, blot up the water. If the water proves effective, continue until the spot is completely removed. Blot dry, and apply the paper towels and brick. If it is not completely removed, try the following.

Apply a small amount of a detergent solution to the spot (1/4 teaspoon detergent per 1 qt. of water) Blot with a white paper towel to work the detergent into the affected area. If the spot is being removed, continue applying detergent and blotting until spot is completely removed. Using a spray bottle, rinse with tap water, and then blot to remove excess moisture. Next, spray lightly with water, but instead of blotting, apply a pad of paper towels, weigh them down with a brick and allow to dry. If the stain remains, moisten the tufts in the stained area with 3 percent hydrogen peroxide and let stand for 1 hour. Blot and repeat until carpet is stain free. Because light will change peroxide back to water, no rinsing is necessary. Apply a pad of paper towels and weigh them down with a brick. Allow carpet to dry. Remove brick and towels and brush up the pile.

• Candle wax

For candle wax or other types of wax: Spread brown paper (such as a grocery bag) or a terry cloth towel over the area and iron with the setting on “warm”. The wax will be absorbed into the paper or terry towel. Remove any traces with alcohol or dry cleaning fluid by blotting.

• Chewing gum

For chewing gum: Freeze the gum using an ice cube. Shatter the frozen gum with a knife handle, then vacuum. Some citrus-based products have been demonstrated to break down the stickiness of gum so that it can be removed.

• Nail polish

Remove as much of the nail polish as possible using a spoon or dull knife. Apply a non-oily nail polish remover to a clean white cloth and gently rub (one direction at a time) or blot the spot. Continue until spot is removed. Do not allow nail polish remover to get to the latex backing. Do the following to remove the nail polish remover.

Apply a small amount of a detergent solution to the spot (1/4 teaspoon detergent per 1 qt. of water) Blot with a white paper towel to work the detergent into the affected area. If the spot is being removed, continue applying detergent and blotting until spot is completely removed. Using a spray bottle, rinse with tap water, and then blot to remove excess moisture. Next, spray lightly with water, but instead of blotting, apply a pad of paper towels, weigh them down with a brick and allow to dry. If the stain remains, moisten the tufts in the stained area with 3 percent hydrogen peroxide and let stand for 1 hour. Blot and repeat until carpet is stain free. Because light will change peroxide back to water, no rinsing is necessary. Apply a pad of paper towels and weigh them down with a brick. Allow carpet to dry. Remove brick and towels and brush up the pile.

PORTLAND, Ore. (April 11, 2008) – At the 2008 Kitchen/Bath Industry Show in Chicago, ANN SACKS, premier manufacturer and distributor of luxury tile, stone and plumbing products, introduced Robert Kuo Carved Stone, the company’s latest stone innovation that merges ancient tradition with beautiful design. Han Bai Yu (Chinese white marble) and Qing Shi (Chinese black marble) are fine marbles suitable for carved designs and found in the Hebei Province of Northern China. ANN SACKS is proud to offer this prized material in the form of hand-carved marble designed by Robert Kuo.

Stone carvers use a chisel and hammer to carve the intricate designs and then finish by using abrasive grinding tools in the traditional jade carving technique. Craftsmen originally used this method to carve pieces for Buddhist temples. A variety of patterns incorporate traditional Chinese motifs alongside design elements of Western European Art Deco.

Available designs include: Kuai (literally translated as “pieces”), a dramatic geometric pattern; Hua (“bunches of flowers”); and, Shan (“mountains”), a motif popular in Chinese calligraphy paintings and believed by Chinese scholars to bring a sense of harmony and kindness of heart.   “Robert Kuo is famous for the masterful and artistic way that he has of merging ancient Chinese techniques and sources of inspiration with modern influences,” said John Hart, chief merchandising officer, ANN SACKS and Kallista. “His new carved marble tile for ANN SACKS is genuinely unlike anything else and is sure to have a profound impact on any environment in which it is installed.”

All of the Robert Kuo Carved Stone designs are available in either Han Bai Yu or Qing Shi and custom sizes are encouraged.

Founded in 1981, ANN SACKS has built its reputation with inspiring designs in tile, stone, plumbing, lighting and accessories. Based in Portland, Ore., the company is a division of the Kohler Co. Interiors Group, a wholly owned subsidiary of Kohler Co., that includes Baker Knapp & Tubbs, Inc., Baker furniture, Baker Knapp & Tubbs Showrooms and Baker Stores, Kallista plumbing and McGuire Furniture Company.

Founded in 1873 and headquartered in Kohler, Wis., Kohler Co. is one of America’s oldest and largest privately held companies. Kohler is a global leader in the manufacture of kitchen and bath products, engines and power generation systems, cabinetry, tile and home interiors, and international host to award-winning hospitality and world-class golf destinations.

ANN SACKS® EXPANDS EXCLUSIVE FLOOR AND WALL TILE OPTIONS
THROUGH COLLABORATION WITH CONCRETE ARTISAN ANDY FLEISHMAN
PORTLAND, Ore.

(May 10 2005)

Ann Sacks, in collaboration with leading concrete artisan, Andy Fleishman, presented four completely unique floor and wall tiles at the 2005 Kitchen/Bath Industry Show in Las Vegas.

Fleishman’s designs for Ann Sacks offer a visually striking alternative to complement the diverse Ann Sacks tile and stone collections. Fleishman, who started his career as a wood sculptor and cabinet maker in the 1970s, gravitated toward concrete as his primary medium. His designs for Ann Sacks include Diamond and Petal, two large-scale, geometric designs; and, Maximus and Tendril, two more intricate designs using floral themes.
A sophisticated color palette was chosen for the textural designs in Gray, Crème, Chocolate and Camel. The tile can be
Ann Sacks Andy Fleishman, customized by applying contrasting grout colors on the tile face, then, once set, wiping
the grout away from the tile surface to expose the tile’s dramatic, etched patterns.

Andy Fleishman concrete flooring designs for Ann Sacks® provide a smooth surface and creative durable solution for residential and commercial flooring projects. Fleishman’s designs can be used vertically on surfaces that accommodate a 3/4-inch thickness. The tile can be applied to outdoor projects dependant upon climate and installation method. Sold exclusively by Ann Sacks, Maximus and Tendril are available as hexagons, and Petal and Diamond designs are produced on squares – both shapes measuring 12×12 inches.

Founded in 1981, Ann Sacks offers consumers and design professionals a wide range of luxury tile, stone, plumbing, lighting and accessories for the kitchen and bath. Along with Baker Knapp & Tubbs, Inc., which includes Baker furniture, Baker Knapp & Tubbs Showrooms, and Baker Stores, and the McGuire Furniture Company, it is a part of the Kohler Interiors Group and a wholly owned subsidiary of Kohler Co., a global leader in kitchen and bath designs.

Founded in 1873 and headquartered in Kohler, Wis., Kohler Co. is one of America’s oldest and largest privately held companies. Kohler is a global leader in the manufacture of kitchen and bath products, engines and power generation systems, home interiors, and hospitality services.

Bamboo is a currently a very popular choice for flooring, but did you know it can be used for other things? One company, Bamboo Outfitters offers eco friendly items from clothing, to linens, to soap and bath products made of bamboo. Bamboo is useful in making these products because bamboo fiber is soft and strong and produces products that are durable, soft and breathable. Unlike other natural products, bamboo can be safely dyed in bright and bold colors.

Benefits of bamboo as clothing:

• It absorbs sweat quickly and evaporates quickly.
• Bamboo keeps you warmer in the winter and up to 2 degrees cooler in the summer
• Bamboo is antibacterial so it stays fresher and odor free longer.
• During the manufacturing process, no harsh chemicals are used so this product is ideal for people with allergies or sensitive skin
• Bamboo fiber is smooth and round so it does not irritate skin. It contains a naturally occurring antibacterial called bamboo-kun that resists the spread of bacteria on the skin without any adverse affects.
• Bamboo grows quickly and therefore has high water absorbency which aids in this process. This helps the fabric retain absorbency, in fact, 3-4 more than cotton. It keeps you drier because it wicks away moisture from the body, but doesn’t have the high prices that comes with sports attire with these same properties.
  
• Bamboo is antibacterial, anti fungal and anti static even after is has been washed.
• It’s better for the environment. For more information on bamboo, click here.
• No special care is required to maintain the clothing.

Not sure if bamboo fabric is for you or all that is advertised, Bamboo Outfitters will send you a sample!

Other products made from bamboo are found in the kitchen and bath. Some examples of products for the home made from bamboo are: cutting boards, soap, dish towels, bed linens, body washes, crib linens and bath towels.

Clothing for babies, kids, men and women:

Products for the home:

Do your part by choosing clothing and home accessories that are not only comfortable, better for your skin, anti bacterial, anti fungal and anti static but good for the world we live in!

With all of the focus on natural products and “green” floors, it’s no surprise that a company called Inhabitat is offering floors made from peach pits/pips. Talk about recycling!

According to Inhabitat, the floor consists of peach pips that are packed by hand onto a glued surface and filled with a silica sand and resin mixture, then sealed. The sharp edges of the pips are sanded off to expose the red hue of the pips and give the floor a natural wood feeling – making it warm, therapeutic and comfortable to walk on with bare feet. The floors are uniquely South African, natural and the design and color can be customized.

The house in Paarl is currently run as an art gallery (The Orange Mill) by Allah le Roux with his partner. After numerous requests and compliments regarding the floor, he decided to take it a step further and enter production of peach pip tiles as a business concept in the First National Bank Enablis Business Plan Competition, in which he was a finalist. In February 2007 the tile design and concept was registered. Today the endeavor is in progress as Stone Fruit Floors, creating job opportunities in the production of flooring rooted in sustainable materials and a traditional aesthetic.

Inhabitat.com is a weblog devoted to the future of design, tracking the innovations in technology, practices and materials that are pushing architecture and home design towards a smarter and more sustainable future.

You can give them a call at 800.220.9062 to schedule a presentation at your firm or to visit their new office.

New website

To go along with the new office is am updated version of the website. All designed to make it easier for visitors to find what they need. Or just be inspired.

• All new content.
• Same user-friendly graphics.
  
• Heaps of new images.
• Tons of new info.
  
• Loads of new features.

My favorite part of the website is the tag line introducing the floors found at Isla Restaurant. It brilliantly says, “One hour wait at Isla Restaurant…not bad considering it took 280 years to create the floor.”

New Projects:

TerraMai’s reclaimed Olive Tank Redwood paneling helps set a serene but sophisticated mood in the 1 Hotel and Residences Sales and Design Center in Seattle.

TerraMai’s teak flooring and Wine Tank redwood shelving and cash wraps add both warmth and elegance to this Dockers retail store in San Francisco.

Domino Magazine

The hip design mag spotlights TerraMai’s new Naturally Distressed Teak flooring in its current issue, which focuses on smart, fashionable ways to go green.

Bubbling in D.C.

TerraMai co-founder and president Richard McFarland was in Washington D.C. recently to testify before a Congressional subcommittee examining issues related to bottled water.

Sustainability

TerraMai was founded on a commitment to conservation.

The use of reclaimed wood helps preserve the world’s remaining forests and also combats global warming.

TerraMai has reclaimed more than 5 million board feet of wood since 1991. Much of this material was otherwise destined for landfills and burn piles throughout the U.S and abroad.

Education is a key part of our company mission. Wood is a recyclable resource. Treated properly, it offers many generations of use and beauty.

For more information on this company, see an earlier post from The Green Build Expo in Chicago.

These shower walls can be found at the breathtaking Kuleto Estate Winery in Napa, California. The detail in this shower is simply amazing. Notice the lighting in the upper rear corner and the unique shower fixtures. Notice, too how well the tile rolls over the front of the shower seat and how gracefully it curves along the walls. The designer of this shower did a fantastic job of designing a shower that looks and feels like the rest of the property. Nothing about the home looks new – it looks like it has evolved over hundreds of years of careful gathering and procurement.

In 1992, this winery was created overlooking Lake Hennessey, Pritchard Hill, Rutherford and St. Helena. This shower sits in the Tuscan Style home named Villa Cucina designed by Pat Kuleto who is also famous for designing some of North America’s most celebrated restaurants. There are so many amazing sites to see at this winery, when you take the winery tour they make you feel like you are part of the Kuleto family and this was all built just for your soul to absorb all of the amazing views.

• Another environmentally sound choice for flooring is bamboo. Bamboo is manufactured from processed strips of cane and compressed to be as hard and durable as a regular hardwood floor.

• Some bamboo is supplied in North America if the environmental impact of transportation is a concern.

Considerations:

• Bamboo floors that are less expensive may not have the highest quality UV protective finish as other floors.

• Radiant flooring can be used under bamboo flooring.

• Bamboo is technically a grass and not a hardwood tree. Don’t let this discourage you from purchasing because the manufacturing techniques make bamboo a strong, hard, durable and dimensionally stable surface.

• To give you an idea of the strength of bamboo, it has been rated to be almost as hard as red oak to slightly harder than red oak. The darker bamboo floors are reported to be softer than the lighter shades because of the heating process that darkens the color.

• The dimensional change with moisture content is also significantly less than that for most common hardwoods.

• Nearly all bamboo flooring sold in North America is produced in the southern Chinese province of Hunan, in an area known as “the bamboo sea” for its extensive bamboo forests.

• If possible to obtain the information, find out if the manufacturer of the bamboo flooring you are interested in allows the bamboo to reach full maturity. According to buildinggreen.com the shoots reach full size in one to two years, but it takes a third year for them to mature to the point where they are no longer feeding the plant. If the shoots are cut before that time, the plant suffers, while after the third year the shoot becomes “dead weight,” and the plant benefits from its removal.

• Contrary to the concerns of some, the harvesting in these forests is not a threat to Pandas, as they live at much higher elevations and eat a different species of bamboo.

Good for the environment:

• Bamboo matures in three years

• It regenerates without need for replanting

• It also requires minimal fertilization or pesticides

• There currently is no FSC certified bamboo so it is important to see what you can confirm about the bamboo you are interested in purchasing.

Options:

• Finish options include a Klumpp coating that comes with a longer warranty because of the quality of the ingredients.

• Klumpp coatings wear extremely well and are certified to be free from toxic substances.

• Bamboo floors are available with the following installation techniques: glue, nail, staple or floating in pre-finished or unfinished.

• The installation process is the same as the process to install hardwood flooring.

Design Options:

• Bamboo is offered in planks, tiles as well as handscraped.

• The handscraped products have limited availability.

• The grain of bamboo is either horizontal or vertical. Vertical graining is a thinner, more linear look while horizontal graining is wider showing the knuckles of the bamboo.

• With horizontal, the pieces are arranged and laminated side by side flatways. With the vertical type the slats are stood upright on edge and then laminated.

• The first colors that were introduced were carbonized and non-carbonized. The result were a natural, amber, brownish color as well as a yellow based color. The brownish amber color is achieved by pressure steaming the bamboo, which creates a darker color through carbonization.

• More recently, colors ranging from rich reds to mochas and blacks are available.

Maintenance

• Like hardwood flooring, bamboo floors need to be swept or vacuumed (without a beater bar) regularly to keep dust and dirt away. Dust and dirt can scratch the finish of the floor.

• Mats should be placed at every entrance to keep the dirt from entering your home.

• Spills should be cleaned up immediately. Spills that sit too long can penetrate the floor and permanently stain the floor.

• To avoid invalidating your warranty, be sure to check to see if a specific cleaner needs to be used. These cleaners can be recommended from the manufacturer.

• Rugs that are non rubber backed should be used to avoid discolorations on the floor.

• Chair and furniture protectors should be used to protect the floors. Fabric or felt types are recommended. Casters should be removed and replaced with felt floor protectors when possible.

• Because sunlight can fade bamboo floors, furniture and rugs should be rotated periodically. Rotating the furniture and rugs will produce a more even color. Use of window coverings also helps protect floors from sunlight.

• High heeled shoes can permanently damage bamboo with dents.

• Like the damage high heels can do, dragging heavy furniture or other items can permanently damage bamboo floors.

• Cork is not a new fad, it can be traced back to ancient Egypt. In the 18th century, Dom Perignon used cork for champagne making it a significant discovery that would lead to many other uses of cork.

• A law in the 1930’s called “The 9 Year Law” was passed to keep cork from being harvested any sooner than every 9 years. The tree has to reach 60 cm in circumference before it can be harvested. The first harvest from a cork tree can only occur at age 25.

• Portugal is the largest producer of cork today.

Harvesting

• Cork is harvested by hand from the bark of the cork oak tree (Quercus Suber) that grows primarily around the Mediterranean Basin no less than every 9 years.

• After the cork is stripped, the planks are sorted and stacked for 6 months in the forest. The exposure to air, sun, rain and wind during this time trigger chemical transformations that improve the quality of the cork. Then the bark of the mature cork trees are ground up, mixed with resin, processed into blocks, baked, compressed and cut into tiles or planks.

• Burning the cork before it is compressed in combination with varying granule sizes creates the different colors and patterns that make cork such a unique product.

• The tree is not destroyed or damaged when harvesting cork.

• The average life span of a cork tree is 150-200 years. The older the tree, the better quality of the cork.

• To complete the environmentally sound process, water based finishes and adhesives should be used.

Good for the environment:

• An environmentally sound choice for flooring.

• Better than a renewable resource because it is a harvested resource (only the bark is harvested from the tree)

• A recycled product because cork floors are made from the waste cork that makes wine stoppers.

Properties/Benefits:

• Cork is very lightweight and low in density.

• There are many different shapes, designs and colors available.

• It is very durable. It is often used in public buildings because of its durability.

• Cork is often used in libraries and churches because of its sound absorption qualities.

• Cork is more forgiving on your joints than hard surface floors because of the millions of air filled cells. This is what makes cork a great choice for kids playrooms, retail or other places where people are on their feet for hours at a time.

• If damaged, cork can be repaired.

• Cork is also a great insulator because it reduces the transmission of sound, vibration and heat. Air is sealed in each of the cells insulating from the adjacent cells with a moisture resistant, waxy like substance. A cubic cm of the honeycombed shaped cork cell contains about 40 million hexagonal cells. The cells are composed of almost 90% of an air like gas. This makes cork flooring a great choice for recording studios and other places where sound needs to be kept to a minimum.

• Cork also reduces heat loss in rooms because of the encapsulated air cells. Unlike ceramic tile, it never gets cold on your feet. It maintains an even temperature that is not too warm or too cold.

• A substance called Suberin that naturally occurs in cork makes it resistant to bugs, mold, mites and termites. Because of this substance, cork also will not rot. Also because of this substance, cork is naturally a fire inhibitor. Upon combustion, cork does not release any toxic gasses.

• People with allergies are big fans of cork floors because of their hypoallergenic properties. Cork floors do not absorb dust and are very useful for people with asthma and respiratory diseases.

• Cork is also very resilient. Because of those same air cells that help with heat loss, sound absorption and softness cork can return to its original shape even when exposed to heavy weight and pressure. This is an advantage over hardwood flooring.

Installation types:

• Cork comes unfinished and pre-finished. There are many different types of finishes that are both harmful and safe for the environment.

• In wet areas like bathrooms and kitchens, most manufacturers recommend a water based polyurethane sealant.

• Cork comes in tile shapes as well as plank shapes.

• These floors can be glueless and clicked together for installation, pre-glued or glued as long as the subfloor is dry and level.

• These floors can also be floated because of their tongue and groove

• Some floors have beveled edges that allow the floor to naturally expand and contract without buckling.

Care and Maintenance

• Cork is very easy to maintain especially with polyurethane coatings.

• Cork will fade if exposed to direct sunlight. Furniture and flooring should be moved periodically to even out the fading from sun and UV exposure.

• It will also react to humidity and moisture. Humidity should be maintained at 50-60%.

• Cork floors should be swept and vacuumed often to avoid the build up of dirt. Dirt can scratch the finish.

• Do not use abrasive cleaners or solvents, especially those that contain glycerin. These products can harm the finish making it impossible to refinish.

• A neutral PH detergent (PH of 6-8) should be used to clean cork floors either with a wrung out sponge or misted over the floor and damp mopped.

• Spills should be wiped up immediately.

• Chairs with casters should have minimum 2” casters.

• Mats should be used under chairs with casters to protect the finish from becoming dull.

• Furniture or chair feet should sit on wide coasters to prevent excessive indentation.