Move aside red wine stains and soap scum; the tile flooring of the North Shore have some actual stories to tell and should be shining. Every tile surface in family kitchens, waiting room flooring, airy bathrooms gets a beating. But elbow grease by itself is not the secret to such brilliant surfaces. No, the bottle’s cleaner is what I find. The difference is everything when you choose the Ultra Brite Carpet & Tile Cleaning.

Let us first let go of our presumptions. Expensive does not necessarily translate into better. That reasonably priced cleaner available at your neighbourhood supermarket? It occasionally carries more power than top brands. For his kids’ muddy boot prints, one North Shore dad leans on a supermarket brand with lemon flavor. His grout never appeared to be whiter.

There are several tastes in tiles. Natural stone, porcelain, ceramic. One cleaner does not suit all. cleaners with an acidic character? Sure, they’re deadly for limestone, but they destroy soap scum on porcelain. Quite seriously. See hissing, fizzing, and remorse here. Never forget to read the label. Plant-based mixes are your buddy if you worry about chemicals. Search for something claiming citrus or plant enzymes. Your nose will thank you as Mother Nature understands how to battle dirt.

Let us now consider obstinate grime. Liquids and sprays abound that guarantee instantaneous effects. While some keep their word, others leave streaks worse than a poor spray-tan. A local cleanser smelling almost like citrous and with a squeeze lid seems to glide through tomato sauce splashes and kitchen grease. Put this one on your grocery list if you enjoy a squeaky sneaker on a glittering floor.

Never undervalue the age-old trick of vinegar and baking soda. cheap, strange-smelling but legendary for bathrooms. On marble, nevertheless, use carefully; vinegar and marble are lifetime foes. One North Shore grandma handed down her preferred: hot water with a little dish soap. It gets most of the dirt without drama. Some swear a small touch of bleach keeps things fresh in kitchens, but open the windows and only use on light tiles.

Particularly tough areas like grout call for specific treatment. Like a magic wand, certain gel formulations accentuate lines between tiles. Brushing is good, although occasionally the gel handles most of the heavy work. Remember to seal grout now; it guards all of your cleaning from washing down the drain.

Choose your cleaner, change into your old workout shorts, and turn on your preferred music. Move a bit with the mop. Although tile cleaning isn’t glamourous, there’s something satisfying about seeing floors sparkle. And on the North Shore, a subdued badge of honor are glittering tiles. Just don’t forget to remove your shoes at the door; some feel it’s lucky, while others maybe just wise.

Ultra Brite Carpet & Tile Cleaning North Shore
79-83 Longueville Road, Lane Cove NSW 2066
(02) 8015 5143