Cleaning Your Home's Tile and Grout

Is your tile getting dingy and in need of a clean? Cleaning tile can be risky business if you don't educate yourself on the type of stone your dealing with and how the stone with react to the cleaning process you use.

Rule #1 of cleaning tile and/or stone: If In Doubt, Don't Do!

Some mistakes can be irreversible. Always check labels on the products that you are thinking about using and test an inconspicuous area first to see what effects, if any your cleaning process will have.

A lot of people think that because your dealing with stone, it's impossible to damage.... Nothing could be further from the truth. In fact, this is how most people get into trouble. Stone has many potential weaknesses, but once it has been properly protected and maintained, it's beauty can not be beat! There is nothing more stunning that natural stone tiles in a home. The trouble is keeping your natural stone tiles looking beautiful!

So what do you do?!

Of course first, we recommend speaking with a flooring professional, but we know that in the case of an emergency, contacting someone is not on the top of your priority list. StarFloors is always available for all your flooring inquiries-  call us toll-free to speak with a flooring specialist - 866- 503-STAR (7827)

 

Here are some tips and tricks of the trade to help you when going to clean your tile or grout.

1. Access Your Situation

Access the type of stone in your home and whether or not it's been sealed. The first step of maintaining the beauty of your tile is sealing the stone. Natural stone does not come sealed, you can request this service from your flooring provider, but now that sealing your natural stone tile is not a permanent solution. Therefore, just because you do it once does not mean you won't have to re-seal in the future. Sealing your natural stone tile is the best method for protecting the stone against the harsh conditions inside or outside of your home.

A StarFloors Flooring Specialist can help you access which sealer is best for the natural stone in your home for you budget.

2. Keep Your Natural Stone Beautiful with Everyday Cleaning

Immediately wipe up spills that could damage the integrity of your natural stone tile. For daily cleaning we recommend soap-less detergents and pH balanced cleaners. Depending on the type of stone, mild dish soap can be a gentle and affective cleaning agent as well. It is important that you rise the tile and grout thoroughly to remove any remaining cleaner. Cleaner sitting on the surface of your stone or grout will only do damage.  

3. Get the Grout!

Agitate grout joints with a soft bristled brush to loosen debris. Use water or a soap-less detergent. Thoroughly rinse, dry, and polish cleaned areas.

4. Avoid Acidic Cleaners

Acidic cleaners with remove polished surfaces from alkaline stones like marble, travertine, and sandstone. Acidic cleaners may also leave unsightly etch marks in the surface of the stone. Acidic cleaners damage grout as well. Acidic cleaners will erode the grout in the joints making cleaning and maintenance more and more problematic. This is especially true if using acidic cleaners on sanded grout. If your tile was laid with colored grout, the pigment in the grout can be permanently damaged by using acidic cleaners. This is especially true if your using an acidic cleaner on a daily basis.

Acidic Cleaners 101:

Mild Acid Cleaners

• Acid cleaners cannot contain soap, but instead use acid-stable surfactants (surface active agents that produce results similar to soaps) and perhaps a cellosolve (a type of organic solvent that dissolve grease and yet is soluble in water). Acetic acid and sulfamic acid supply metal-polishing characteristics. Acid cleaners are best at removing tarnish and mineral soils from copper and other metals.

Stronger Acid Cleaners

• Sometimes stronger formulations are needed to remove heavy scale (a thick oxide coating) caused by heat processing. These formulations may contain nitric acid and sulfuric acid. Sometimes they contain chromic acid or oxalic acid, which is a very powerful organic acid.

Types of Acid Cleaners (Ingredients)

• Vinegar and bleach for example are acid based products and many people use these products for cleaning purposes. These are examples of acetic acid products and they were never designed for any type of tile or grout cleaning purposes. While vinegar and bleach are generally safe for household use they can leave a nasty residue and film on your tile and they can actually discolor and break down the cement in your grout.

• Other types of acid products that people use for cleaning purposes include muriatic, sulfamic and phosphoric acids. These acids can be found in many harsh and industrial cleaning solutions and can be extremely harmful to your health. While there are some valid uses for these chemicals in the construction and restoration industry they should only be used by experienced contracting professionals.

So What CAN  I Use?

A pH Cleaning Solution

A pH neutral cleaning solution is best used for maintenance cleaning of your tile and grout after it has been deep cleaned.  A pH neutral cleaning solution  is preferred for daily or weekly cleanings because it will not break down any sealers that were applied to the grout or tiles.  Also a pH neutral cleaner is easy to rinse off the tile and grout and will not leave any cleaning residue on the tile or in the grout. 

PH neutral cleaners are safe to use on all types of tile, grout and stone and will not damage or etch even the most delicate stone surfaces.  PH neutral tile and grout cleaners are not as effective as alkaline or acidic tile and grout cleaners for cleaning stubborn dirt, grease and grime.   PH neutral cleaners are the best type of tile and grout cleaning product to use for daily or weekly maintenance cleanings of your tile, grout and stone surfaces.

Alkaline Tile and Grout Cleaner:

Most dirt, grease and grime stains in tile and grout are acidic in nature these are the most common types of dirt and stains in tile and grout.  Dirt and grime of this nature typically occurs in kitchens, entrance ways, lobbies and wherever there is high foot traffic or greasy cooking conditions.  To clean these types of acidic stains you need an alkaline cleaning solution. 

The alkaline cleaner will react with the acidic dirt grease and grime and leave the resulting slurry in suspension.  This slurry can then be extracted and then your tile and grout can be rinsed and you are left with clean tile and grout. 

For recommendations contact at StarFloors Flooring Specialist who will aide you in finding the perfect cleaner for your natural stone. www.starfloors.com

866-504-STAR (7827)

 

A Tribute to Dads and Their Dens!

I don't know about you but my Dad has always had a room that he claimed as his own. Whether or not that was the original intention of the room, dads just need a place to go to let it all hang out.
That's why today's blog is dedicated to dad....and his man den.
The traditional den has now been given a flashier, cooler name--- THE MAN CAVE.
Well, it just so happens that here at StarFloors, Man Cave's are our specialty.
How does a flooring company specialize in Man Caves or Dad Dens?
Let me break it down for you.

StarFloors brother company is StarPower. Have you heard of it? Yeah, THAT StarPower. The twice awarded audio visual company of the year by TWICE Magazine. StarPower has the man cave down to an art. Whether your looking for a sports-themed oasis to watch the game, or a Renaissance themed theater room- StarPower's got it all!.

And who  provides the stunning flooring for these beautiful rooms?

You got it, StarFloors!

StarFloors can meet all your needs. If your looking for a sturdy engineered wood that can take the wear and tear from your buddies, or a stunning Kane Carpet to bring that movie theater feel to your theater room, StarFloors has  you covered. Our flooring specialists can meet any of your needs and make your dad's den, cave, or pad...the ultimate! The best part is, our installers and flooring professionals are the best in the business. You're going to be treated like a Star from the moment you encounter a Starpower or StarFloors professional.

Take a look at the stunning projects we've created.

Watch out, Dad's may drool!

www.starfloors.com



www.Star-Power.com

Don't Forget Father's Day is June 19th!!

Looking For A Flooring Company You Can Trust?

About Us

For four generations, StarFloors has been providing customers with the highest quality flooring products available and outstanding customer service.
From the time we knock on your door to the moment you are standing on your new floor, our team provides the most pleasurable and positive experience possible. Our flooring specialists are the best at what they do and with our elite Showroom on Wheels we “Bring the Store to Your Door!”
With corporate offices in Dallas, Texas and flooring experts strategically located nationwide, StarFloors is one of the fastest growing flooring companies in the world.

Why We’re Different
StarFloors is a rock-solid company you can rely on. We’ve built our reputation on dependability, fair pricing, superior materials and workmanship.  Our strategically located facilities provide StarFloors managers with the ability to procure products and schedule expert installation for consistent, on-time delivery anywhere your properties are located.

Our unique business model and nationwide buying power allows us to provide a rare combination of competitive prices with the highest quality materials and personalized customer service. At StarFloors “We Bring our Store to Your Door!” saving the customer time and money and allowing customers to see what flooring works best with their existing décor.

Our turn key installations give peace of mind and offer the ultimate convenience. In addition to years of experience, our technicians undergo rigorous training, installing according to our exacting specifications and under our direct supervision. Installers clean up after every installation, removing old flooring, debris, vacuuming carpet and hauling away trash.

Our experienced flooring specialists are experts in the flooring industry. More importantly our territory managers are locals who know your housing market, the dynamics of your region (humidity, temperature, etc.) and design aesthetics. StarFloors’ territory managers are experts in their field and are prepared to exceed every expectation with their knowledge and expertise.

Customer service always comes first!  We ask each client to complete our online customer survey at the conclusion of every project and use the information to continually improve our products and services.

Our Products:
StarFloors takes care of all of its customers’ flooring needs. This includes replacing existing flooring with any grade of carpet, wood, ceramic and porcelain tile, natural stone and vinyl, as well as restoring hardwood floors and stone.

Harwood: From complete installations to repairs of worn and buckled wood flooring, StarFloors offers onsite installation of pre-finished and solid wood flooring in a range of hardwoods, finishes, sizes and patterns. We also sand and finish existing hardwood floors, restoring them to their natural beauty.
Vinyl: Our Company has a variety of versatile vinyl flooring available in a range of colors, designs and textures, including the look of traditional and distressed wood, natural stone and decorative and geometric patterns. This durable product is skid and mar resistant, easy to care for an ideal for high-traffic areas.

Carpet: StarFloors offers a range of carpet options, from Berber to Frieze. Whether you’re changing out the carpet in an entry-level home or adding plush texture and rich color to the master bedroom in a luxury home, we offer quality products and installation at the lowest possible prices.

Natural Stone: We install natural stone flooring, countertops, backsplashes and showers in any room of the home. Whether you’re replacing a travertine entry or restoring a granite tile countertop, StarFloors provides the highest quality material, installation, and restoration.  We do our own fabrication to ensure quality and reject slabs that are substandard due to fractures or fissures. Natural stone selections include granite, marble, limestone, travertine, slate, onyx and more.

Ceramic & Porcelain Tile: StarFloors offers quality ceramic and porcelain tile in a range of colors, textures and patterns. Our factory-trained installers understand the importance of correctly laying tile. We use appropriate underlayment materials under tile installed over subfloors and proper edging to ensure clean, solid connection, as well as remove and reinstall toilets.

Window Treatments
Star Floors carries a full line of high quality window treatment products uniquely engineered for value and fashion, and custom built to fit each window perfectly.  We carry everything from Faux Wood Blinds to Real Wood Blinds, Vertical Blinds, Honeycomb Shades, Shear Shades, Vertical Soft Sheers, Woven Woods, and Roller Shades.  Many of these products are available with motorization via wall control panel, remote control, or they can be integrated in to a home automation system.  

Media Rooms/Entertainment Centers
StarFloors’ brother-company StarPower provides clients with the finest experience in high-end custom installations of audio, video, security, and electronic automation. StarPower features the finest brands of equipment, some of which are rarely seen outside of Hollywood’s top studios.  StarFloors professionals work in conjunction with StarPower’s electronics and media room specialist to provide you with a custom designed media room to fit any space in your home. When we look at the word “customer”, the first word we see is “custom”. At StarCompanies, we put the customer first in every custom installation. We listen carefully to make sure to understand what a client is hoping for in their entertainment and media room. We pay close attention to a client’s budget, so we both know we can give them the maximum value for their price point. Our team of entertainment system and flooring experts create the highest quality entertainment rooms available- leaving no detail untouched. Our job is to create a one-of-a-kind theater environment without disrupting the existing home or business.
For more information on StarPower visit their website http://www.star-power.com/

http://www.starfloors.com/

Everything You Need to Know: Carpet Pad

What is Carpet Pad?

Carpet pad is a supportive padding placed under carpets and area rugs. The pad absorbs sound and cushions the surface so it feels more comfortable underfoot. When buying carpet padding, you’ll notice that it comes in a variety of thickness levels and materials. Foam rubber pads are a popular choice that work well in homes. Sponge padding is slightly stronger and is good for high-traffic office and commercial environments. Fiber pads are the strongest of the three, and are commonly used in manufacturing plants and other buildings with concrete floors.

Carpet Pad. Who Cares? We do!

A firm and resilient carpet pad is necessary to form a good foundation for your carpet, increasing its comfort and extending its life by acting as a shock absorber when someone walks on the carpet. The cushion, or pad, helps buffer sound and provides increased insulation, making a room quieter and warmer.

When selecting pad, discuss the best option for your carpet selection with your StarFloors Flooring Professional. A StarFloors professional will review requirements for thickness and density. Improper selection of carpet pad can negatively affect carpet appearance, cause wrinkling and buckling, cause separation of the carpet seams and can cause a breakdown of the carpet structure itself. Improper cushion selection also may void any applicable carpet manufacturer's warranties. A general rule of thumb for most residential carpet applications is to choose cushion no more than 7/16 inch thick and no less than 1/4 inch with 6 pounds per cubic feet density. If the carpet is a Berber or a low profile carpet, choose a cushion no more than 3/8 inch thick with 8 pounds density.

What is Carpet Pad Made Of?

Carpet pad is made primarily from polyurethane foam, fiber or rubber and is available in a variety of styles and constructions to fit your needs. The type and thickness of cushion you need varies according to traffic levels and patterns. For example, bedrooms, dens, lounge areas and other rooms with light or moderate traffic can use thicker and softer cushion, while living rooms, family rooms, hallways, stairs and other heavy traffic areas require thinner, firmer cushion.

Match the cushion to the carpet

Residential cut pile, cut- loop, or high-level loop carpet requires a resilient, firm cushion with a thickness of 7/16 inch and no less than 1/4 inch with 6 pounds per cubic feet density. Types of cushion may be various polyurethane foams, including the very common bonded foam product often referred to as “rebond,” fiber, or rubber.Berber carpet or thinner loop or cut pile carpet is made with large, wide loops, and it has been found that a stable, low-flexing, cushion foundation is necessary. A thicker, softer cushion is not acceptable. Cushion thickness should not exceed 3/8 inch for these type products

StarFloors Professional: Phil Kenton

"I only use a ½ inch “superstep” pad for our carpets. It is difficult to find a 5/8 thick pad anymore, and I would avoid using it anyways, because all of the mills void warranties with it.

If I were purchasing carpet for my own home and want comfort I would choose the “superstep.”

- Phil, StarFloors Territory Manager

For more information on carpet, carpet installation, carpet pad and your flooring inquiries contact a StarFloors Professional today!

http://www.starfloors.com/

(866) 503- STAR (7827)

For more detailed inforamtion visit: http://www.carpet-rug.org/