Many homeowners will install tile in their home because it is easily cleaned and is durable. The right care and types of tile can withstand almost anything. However, if not properly cared for, tile can trap in dirt and odors. Tile is very porous and can trap in particles, bacteria and other organisms that can create unpleasant odors. Most homeowners never consider tile as being the source of odors. Heart of Texas Chem-Dry will share how and what types of odor tile can cause and how to treat and prevent odors from tile.
Mold & Mildew Odor in Bathroom Tile
When you smell mold in your home it is very possible the odor is coming from the tile. Ceramic tile is a very porous tile and can trap in mold spores that release the odors. The mold spores release a gas which is the musty odor of mold. Since tile is often installed in damp areas it is very common for mold to develop in the tile.
Food Odors on Kitchen Tile
It is very common to find tile in kitchens as tile is an easy surface to clean. Depending on the type of tile many are filled with tiny pores. It takes little imagination to think of all of the spilled drinks, and food particles that may have gotten trapped inside those pores. As food breaks down, they release odors. If your kitchen smells of rotten food, it could be coming from the tile.
Sewer Smell on Bathroom Tile
Sometimes a toilet backs up, floods, and then gets all over your tile. Yes, you now have sewer water trapped inside the tile. Sewer odors are nasty and make the bathroom feel like a quarantine zone. No one wants to walk into the bathroom and get hit with the smell of sewer water.
Dog Smell in Tile Floor
When potty training a puppy, it is common to keep the puppy on tiled areas for easy clean up when or if they have an accident. However, the tile easily absorbs the puppy’s urine and feces and can leave behind long lasting odors. Even after mopping your home, you may still have pet odors.
Treating & Preventing Odors on Tile & Grout
Tile can absorb odors and keep your home rather smelly. To treat the tile odor there are a few ways to get the odors out and to prevent them in the future. Since tile is filled with pores you will need to clean the pores out. Start by sprinkling baking soda over the surface of the tile to create a thin layer. The baking soda can help absorb the odor so let the baking soda sit on the tile surface for 30 minutes. Afterward, put white wine vinegar in a spray bottle and begin saturating the baking soda, when the two meet, they will begin to fizz and bubble. The bubbles help reach inside the pores and lift the trapped particles out. Let the vinegar and baking soda stand on the tile for about two hours. The baking soda will harden, so use a scraper and lightly remove the baking soda. Wipe the surface clean. For extra measures, wipe the surface down with bleach to kill any remaining organisms. Once the tile has been treated, it is recommended to have the tile sealed to prevent particles from getting trapped in the tile in the future.
Tile & Grout Cleaning & More in Waco, Dallas, Arlington, Harker Heights, Cedar Park, Allen & the State of Texas
If your home has odors and you want your tile cleaned and sealed, contact Heart of Texas Chem-Dry and schedule our services today.
