Tile and grout cleaning in Richmond Hill, Aurora, Newmarket, Vaughan and Toronto
Grout is porous. Every time a floor is mopped, dirty water settles into the joints, and over months the grout turns dark even in a well kept home. Showers and backsplashes add soap scum, grease and mildew. UltiClean restores tile and grout in kitchens, bathrooms, showers, entryways and commercial floors across Richmond Hill, Newmarket, Aurora, Thornhill, North York, Vaughan and Markham.
How we clean tile and grout
- Identify the surface. Porcelain, ceramic, marble, granite, travertine and other natural stone each react differently, so we confirm the material before choosing a method.
- Pre-treat. A cleaning solution suited to the surface loosens grease, soil and mildew. We do not use harsh acids that can etch stone or wear down grout.
- Scrub. An oscillating pad machine with a nylon brush works into the grout joints and the tile surface.
- Extract. Our truck-powered hot water extraction rinses the floor and pulls the dirty water out instead of leaving it in the grout.
- Seal and finish. On request, we seal the grout so it resists stains and stays clean longer.
Where we clean tile
- Kitchen floors and backsplashes
- Bathroom floors, shower walls and tub surrounds
- Entryways, mudrooms and laundry rooms
- Basement and main floor tile
- Natural stone floors, including marble and granite
- Commercial tile in offices, restaurants and common areas
Grout sealing and recaulking
Clean grout stays clean longer once it is sealed. In showers and tubs, old cracked or mouldy caulking lets water get behind the tile, so we can strip and replace it on the same visit. See tile caulking and recaulking.
Keeping grout clean after we leave
Sweep or vacuum before mopping, use a pH-neutral cleaner, change mop water often, and dry shower walls after use. Avoid bleach and vinegar on natural stone. More in how to keep grout clean.
Tile and grout cleaning near you
We clean tile and grout across Toronto, Vaughan, Richmond Hill, Aurora and Newmarket, including Toronto, Vaughan, Richmond Hill, North York, Scarborough, Thornhill, Markham, Newmarket and Aurora. Pair it with carpet cleaning or upholstery cleaning to have the whole home done in one visit.
Tile and grout cleaning questions
Can dark grout be brought back to its original colour?
In most cases, yes. Much of the darkening is soil and residue sitting in the grout. Grout that is stained deep or damaged may need colour sealing or regrouting, and we will tell you before we start.
Is it safe for natural stone?
Yes. We identify the stone first and avoid acids that can etch marble, travertine and limestone.
How long before I can walk on the floor?
Usually within an hour or two. If grout is sealed, give it the drying time we recommend on the day.
How much does tile and grout cleaning cost?
It depends on the square footage, the type of tile, how soiled the grout is and whether you want sealing or recaulking. Call 647-676-0576 or send the form for an estimate before any work starts.
Why grout turns dark
Grout is a porous mix of cement and sand. It soaks up liquid like a fine sponge. Every time a floor is mopped, loose grit and dirty water run off the smooth tile and settle in the lower grout lines. The water dries and the soil stays. In bathrooms, soap scum and body oils add to it, and moisture feeds mildew. Over months and years, light grout turns grey, then dark brown or black, even in homes that are cleaned every week. Household mops and scrub brushes cannot reach the soil that has soaked into the grout, which is why a professional clean makes such a visible difference.
Tile types we clean
- Porcelain: dense and durable, common in newer kitchens and entryways.
- Ceramic: glazed tile on floors, walls and backsplashes.
- Marble: beautiful but sensitive to acids, cleaned with stone-safe products only.
- Travertine and limestone: porous stone that etches easily and needs gentle care.
- Granite and slate: harder stone, still cleaned with pH-neutral products.
- Quarry tile and commercial tile: restaurants, kitchens and lobbies.
Grout sealing options
Clear sealer soaks into the grout and slows down how fast water and soil get in. It keeps the original colour and is the most common choice after cleaning. Colour sealing is used when grout is stained beyond what cleaning can remove, or when you want all the grout lines to match again. It coats the grout in a uniform colour. We will tell you which one makes sense for your floor after cleaning.
Showers and bathrooms
Shower walls and tub surrounds collect soap scum, hard water deposits and mildew. We clean the tile and grout, and we look at the caulking in corners and along the tub. Cracked or mouldy caulk lets water get behind the tile, which can damage the wall. We can remove and replace it on the same visit. See tile caulking and recaulking.
Kitchens and entryways
Kitchen floors collect grease and food spills, and entryways take the brunt of winter salt and slush. Both are the most common areas we restore. Read how to remove winter salt stains from tile.
Commercial tile and grout cleaning
Restaurant kitchens, washrooms, lobbies and offices need tile and grout cleaned regularly for appearance and hygiene. We can work after hours so your business keeps running.
How to prepare
- Clear the floor of mats, bins and small furniture.
- Remove items from shower ledges and tub surrounds.
- Tell us if the floor is natural stone and when it was last sealed.
Aftercare
Wait the recommended time before using a freshly sealed shower or mopping a sealed floor. After that, sweep before you mop, use a pH-neutral cleaner, change mop water often and dry shower walls after use. Read our full guide on how to keep grout clean.
More tile and grout questions
How often should grout be sealed?
Busy floors usually every year or two, and showers more often. If water darkens the grout quickly, it is time to reseal.
Can you clean grout on a backsplash?
Yes. Wall tile is cleaned by hand with the same products.
Can cleaning fix cracked grout?
No. Cracked or missing grout needs repair. We will point it out so you can decide what to do.
Your tile and grout visit, step by step
- We confirm the rooms and identify the tile and stone.
- We test the cleaning solution on a small area.
- The floor or wall is pre-treated to loosen grease, soil and mildew.
- Grout lines and tile faces are scrubbed with an oscillating pad machine and brushes.
- The surface is rinsed and extracted with hot water.
- Edges, corners and baseboards are detailed by hand.
- Sealer is applied if booked, and we tell you how long to wait before use.
Tile and grout cleaning across the GTA
Kitchens in Vaughan and Richmond Hill often have large tiled floors that run into the family room. Older Toronto homes have original ceramic bathrooms with decades of soil in the grout. Newer condos in North York and the Vaughan Metropolitan Centre have porcelain floors and tiled showers. Aurora and Newmarket homes see heavy salt in their entryways every winter. Whatever the room, the process is the same: identify the surface, clean it safely, rinse it thoroughly and seal it if you want it to stay clean longer.
Tile and grout myths
“Vinegar is the best natural grout cleaner.” Vinegar is an acid. It can etch marble, travertine and limestone, and repeated use wears down grout and sealer.
“Bleach makes grout white again.” Bleach can lighten the surface for a while, but it does not remove the soil inside the grout and it can discolour coloured grout.
“Dark grout means it has to be replaced.” Most dark grout is just dirty. Deep cleaning usually brings back much of the original colour, and colour sealing can even out the rest.
“Sealed grout never needs cleaning.” Sealer slows down staining. It does not stop soil from building up on the surface, so regular cleaning still matters.
How long does tile and grout cleaning take?
A kitchen or bathroom floor usually takes one to two hours. Larger areas, showers and sealing add time. We give you an estimate when we quote, so you can plan your day around it.
Get your tile and grout cleaning quote
Tell us the rooms and the rough square footage, and we will reply with a written quote. Prefer to talk? We answer 24 hours a day.
- Safe for porcelain, ceramic and natural stone
- Sealing and recaulking available
- Written quote before any work starts
- Open 24 hours, 7 days a week
Request a Tile and Grout Cleaning Quote
Tell us your city, the rooms and the type of tile.
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