Ever noticed that darkening, mouldy colour sitting in between your tiles? Maybe you’ve seen in it the kitchen, or the bathroom, or even outside. That’s a sign that you’ll need us to come out and lend a hand with cleaning or replacing that grout in order to keep your environment sanitary. Without a doubt, there are hazards that come along with this ugly appearance of build-up between your tiles. You’ve more to worry about than what types of tiles you want, or colours, or how much it’s all going to add up to – did you know that no matter how clean your kitchen or bathroom seems to look, harmful pathogens concoct themselves in warm, moist environments – particularly in the grout lines of, yes, your very own tiles. In fact, some of the most harmful bacteria found in the grout lines of your tiles include:

The Risks of Unsanitary Living

Streptococcus

Streptococcus is a bacterium commonly found in bathrooms. Streptococcus is a common cause of sore throats (pharyngitis), impetigo (school sores), and scarlet fever. Aside from that, what's known as a toxic shock syndrome, also known as 'golden staph'. In addition to all of this, it can also cause the extremely rare disease known as necrotising fasciitis (flesh-eating bacteria)

Staphylococcus

Staphylococcus, not to be mistake with Streptococcus, and commonly known as 'golden straph' is a bacterial infection that can be the cause of boils and abscesses, a multitude of skin infections, pneumonia, septic phlebitis (infection of the veins), endocarditis (infection of the heart), meningitis (infection of the membranes lining he brain), and many other things.

Salmonella

Salmonella can be present in bathrooms due to high bacterium build-up. Salmonella is a possible cause for gastroenteritis, commonly referred to as 'gastro'. Salmonella can be responsible for fevers, headaches, stomach cramps, diarrhoea, loss of appetite, nausea and vomiting.

Campylobacter

Campylobacter is a bacterium commonly causing powerful abdominal cramping, vomiting, diarrhoea and nausea. Contracted mostly from contaminated water, domestic out-of-date stock, household pets, and grime and mould build-up.

Escherichia Coli

Escherichia Coli is a bacterium found in all blends of foods, the intestines of animals and peoples, and the open environment. Potentially life-threatening, this bacterium is responsible for a number of urinary infections, respiratory illnesses, pneumonia, and a handful of other illnesses.

Nifty Tips to Prevent Bacteria

Disposable clothes, towels, mop heads and brooms

While it's a great idea to clean your tiles on a regular basis, most of the bacteria your clothes, towels, mop heads and brooms pick up will linger and eventually spread. It's always a good idea to use disposable (use it once or a few times only) cleaning products for a safe, fresh clean, and then carefully throw them away.

Secondary cleaning supplies

Speaking of mops, it's a good idea to have two separate moping buckets, as well as two separate mops - one mop for rinsing, and another mop for detergents and soaps. Both mops and buckets should be thoroughly cleaned, disinfected, and then dried after each and every use to avoid any contaminants or lingering bacterium.

Shower curtain

If you do have a shower curtain, it's a good idea to launder it often as bacteria from your body can wash off onto it, leak down onto the files or shower floor, get in between the tile's grouting and begin to host bacteria or malicious growth, leading to tile replacement, grout-cleaning or replacement, or infection/illness.

Keep your floors speckless

Any visible dirt, grime or dust on your floors should be removed immediately with warm water and detergent. If your tiles or floors are soiled with urine, vomit or other faeces, using a disposable cloth with hot water and heavy detergent is a compulsory act in order to disinfect.

Humans and animals

It's often a good idea to keep your dog or cat's litter box, food and water dishes in a room other than your bathroom as you use your bathroom on a constant, necessary basis. Your animal's urine and faeces, even the scent wafting about, can cause or promote other bacterium to grow in or out of the litter box, such as Campylobacter.

No Doubt When It Comes to Grout

Don’t let this list of bacteria haunt your nights or give you anxiety about stepping on tiles – North Suburban Tilers specialize in ensuring your tiles and flooring solutions are kept in tip top condition, as well as give you handy tips on how to maintain them properly for yourself. With the latest in heightened, modern technology, North Suburban Tilers possess the technology, the patience, and the know-how to cleaning and managing your grout-restoration problems without harming your precious tiles. While it’s a great idea to maintain your tiles each and every day, there are some nifty tips you can use to your own benefit to combat bacteria all together:

Careful Consideration

In order to achieve ultimate hygiene to last a lifetime, patience and extra careful consideration has to be put into your selection of tiles. It isn’t all about looks, or design, or functionality – it’s about safety, in the long run.